Ratings-challenged CNN is reportedly set for a major bloodbath — with boss Mark Thompson expected to fire high-priced on-air talent as part of wide-ranging layoffs.
The cable network — which lagged behind rivals MSNBC and Fox News during last week’s Election Night coverage — will implement “layoffs that will affect hundreds of employees across the organization,” according to Puck News.
Thompson, who took over last year after ousting Chris Licht, will draw staff from CNN’s television production teams “whose talents won’t necessarily be needed in the new digital landscape,” the paper added.
According to Puck, the network’s workforce is reportedly facing “an atmosphere of high stress and anxiety.”
Thompson, the former CEO of the New York Times and the BBC, may also demand deep cuts to the massive paychecks taken by her struggling anchor stable, which includes Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and Kaitlan Collins.
Cooper, who anchored the election night coverage, earns an annual salary reported to be up to $20 million. Burnett earns about $6 million and Collins takes home a budget-busting $3 million.
The Post has sought comment from CNN.
Signs of change were evident Monday as Chris Wallace confirmed he was leaving CNN — ending a three-year run at the network that was marred by low ratings and turmoil on its corporate board.
Last month, independent newspaper The Ankler reported that Thompson would ask Wallace, who was earning a reported $8.5 million a year, as well as other major network stars like Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer to were taking pay cuts.
As part of Thompson’s reorganization plan, CNN will ask reporters and correspondents to take on more of the responsibilities currently being handled by producers and production assistants.
CNN will also eliminate redundant tasks while reducing — or completely eliminating — various divisions, according to Puck.
Earlier this year, CNN laid off about 100 employees — or 3% of its workforce.
The expected changes come amid low ratings for the network on Election Day — a day it has historically dominated.
CNN had just 5.1 million viewers in prime time Tuesday night, according to Nielsen data. Fox News, which shares joint ownership with The Post, rebounded to 10.3 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, according to Nielsen data.
MSNBC’s coverage, anchored by Rachel Maddow, averaged 6 million viewers to best CNN for the first time in its history.
In 2016, CNN had an audience of 13.3 million viewers on Election Day.
CNN spokespeople defended the network’s “cross-platform audience” of 44 million, which includes 14 million who streamed coverage on its digital platforms and on CNN Max.
The network also noted that 67 million people visited CNN.com on Election Day.
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