Anderson Cooper, the well-known anchor for CNN, reportedly earns around $18 million annually. This staggering figure is particularly notable given the network’s struggles, grappling with debt and criticism from its parent company.
Cooper is a key figure during the 8 PM Primetime slot, alongside others like Kaitlan Collins and Jake Tapper. However, their futures seem uncertain following recent revelations from Warner Bros. Discovery’s leadership about potential changes.
David Zaslav has appointed CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels to oversee CNN and various other cable channels like TNT and TBS, forming a new entity termed Global Networks.
Insiders have expressed concerns regarding Wiedenfels. One staff member mentioned, “The news about Gunnar doesn’t inspire confidence. He’s pretty new and seems intense.”
Media writer Dylan Byers highlighted Cooper’s high salary as a point of contention, especially since the network’s ratings aren’t exactly soaring. He questioned whether Wiedenfels would continue to justify such a large salary for Cooper when Collins, who earns significantly less, attracts similar viewer numbers.
In terms of ratings, “Anderson Cooper 360” managed to pull in 647,000 viewers recently, translating to about $27 per viewer. In comparison, Collins, with her 9 PM show, attracted 829,000 viewers on the same night.
While Cooper’s exact salary has never been officially confirmed, there are hints that it may be as high as $20 million. A CNN spokesperson opted not to comment on this topic.
Cooper has been with CNN since 2001, and some speculate he may not want to continue if viewership requirements change. Byers noted, “By the time Wiedenfels gets settled, Anderson might not want to report news to under a million viewers every night.”
CNN officials have dismissed Byers’ suggestion that top anchors may need to take pay cuts as the network looks to restructure under Wiedenfels. “That’s entirely unfounded. There’s no truth to this,” a spokesperson stated.
Despite being recognized as a pioneering source in cable news, CNN has seen its ratings hit historic lows. For instance, during significant news events, Fox News often garnered four times the viewers of CNN.
Fox News operates under Fox Corp, which is affiliated with the parent company of The Post. Recently, Zaslav announced a split that will divide the company into two separate entities, retaining control over HBO and Warner Bros. Studios.
Last week, a notable 59% of shareholders voted against a significant salary package for Zaslav, indicating rising discontent among investors. Warner Bros. Discovery came into existence following a substantial merger valued at $43.1 billion, carrying an extensive debt of approximately $37 billion, largely tied up in the global network operations.
