Senior CNN Executives Depart Amid Organizational Changes

Two senior executives at CNN have reportedly left the network as concerns grow regarding potential cost cuts tied to corporate restructuring objectives.

Laura Bernardini, who served as Vice President of Domestic News, and Jack Smith, the Vice President of Digital Video, are no longer with CNN, according to a newsletter by Oliver Darcy.

Bernardini dedicated 28 years to CNN, while Smith worked there for 17 years.

Both CNN and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), chose not to comment on these departures.

As the newsroom grapples with uncertainty, many staffers are feeling the weight of another wave of change after CNN was recently reassessed by WBD and merged with other legacy cable channels.

Gunnar Wiedenfels, WBD’s CFO known for his stringent approach to cost management, will now oversee a newly formed entity called Global Networks.

Anderson Cooper, a main anchor for CNN, reportedly recently secured a new agent and is believed to earn a salary of $18 million annually.

In a recent communication to staff, Wiedenfels expressed confidence in CNN’s future, referring to himself as a “deep worshiper of CNN,” stating that its programming is available “around the clock.” However, an email titled “The excitement of the future” seemed to do little to alleviate the apprehension among employees.

A CNN staff member shared their feelings of confusion, saying, “Everyone is cautious and tired, and there are so many changes that I can’t understand what direction the company is heading.” Another colleague mentioned, “Sometimes it feels like there are people who think CNN might not even exist anymore.”

Mark Thompson, the CNN head, attempted to uplift spirits in a recent memo, declaring, “We hold our destiny in our hands. If we reform CNN and tackle future challenges… we will succeed in every scenario.”

CNN is experiencing its third parent company within seven years, following previous leadership under Jeff Zucker and Jason Killer, who initiated CNN+ before shutting it down shortly after WBD’s $43 billion merger in 2022.

The network is reportedly falling behind in the ratings game against rivals MSNBC and Fox News, as Zaslav encourages CNN to reach for a broader, more centrist audience.

WBD is investing $100 million into launching new CNN streaming products this fall and is reportedly bringing back some former CNN+ executives they had previously let go.

WBD also encompasses HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Max, operating under a new segment known as Streaming & Studios.