Budget cuts and layoffs loom at struggling CNN, leaving staffers 'deeply frustrated'.

The new year is expected to bring significant budget cuts and layoffs, causing CNN staffers to prepare for impact.

"A longtime CNN staffer expressed deep sadness and frustration, stating that these emotions are widespread among those who have been with the organization for a long time and feel a personal connection to its growth."

The CNN source stated that the layoffs would occur "by March" and have a significant impact on the network's employees.

The CNN staffer stated that the current business model is undergoing a complete overhaul, causing chaos, and is extremely challenging even in the best of circumstances.

An employee of CNN stated that their boss, Mark Thompson, who has been with the company for just over a year, has been vocal about the need for significant changes in order for the company to survive.

The second CNN staffer informed Planet Chronicle Digital that they are concerned because the industry is evidently facing difficulties and there will likely be reductions.

The employee believed that "more shows will be streamlined and produced in Atlanta" and that the "expensive" shows being produced in New York City would be affected the most.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to CNN for comment.

CNN is experiencing a greater impact than other news organizations in the industry, with lower viewership in Election Night coverage and being surpassed by MSNBC for the first time. Planet Chronicle Channel had the highest viewership with over 10 million viewers.

According to Puck News, "hundreds" of CNN employees may face layoffs in the near future as Thompson plans to prioritize digital. Thompson, who revived The New York Times' business model, has already introduced a subscription plan for CNN's news site.

The uncertain future of CNN is already causing ripples among its talent, as weekend host Chris Wallace announced on Monday that he will be leaving the network when his three-year contract expires at the end of the year.

Wallace intends to establish his own streaming or podcasting platform, but a recent report from The Ankler claimed that the 77-year-old broadcaster was offered a new deal for significantly less than the $8.5 million pact he signed under former CNN boss Jeff Zucker.

In 2022, Wallace was one of the high-profile talents hired by the network for its streaming service CNN+, which ultimately failed. Despite the failure of CNN+, Wallace stayed with the network and hosted two weekend talk shows, "Who's Talking with Chris Wallace?" and "The Chris Wallace Show," both of which received low viewership.

In the year of the presidential election, "The Chris Wallace Show" did not achieve 600,000 total viewers and had an average of 85,000 in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demo.

Since Election Day, CNN's viewership has significantly decreased, with an average of 413,000 total day viewers compared to Planet Chronicle Channel's 2.2 million.

According to reports, CNN's top talent may face pay cuts due to the company's restructuring, and many longtime hosts may decide to leave the network.

CNN is facing both financial difficulties and an identity crisis. Under Chris Licht's predecessor, the network aimed to reduce the perception of liberal bias and minimize the spectacle of combative politics. However, many of the changes implemented under Licht were reversed, including the re-hiring of Brian Stelter and the intensification of anti-Trump coverage in the final weeks of the 2024 election.