CNN executives are reportedly considering appointing prime-time anchor Caitlan Collins as White House correspondent as the left-leaning network grapples with how to cover the incoming Trump administration. It is said that they are doing so.
Collins, who hosts “The Source with Caitlan Collins” weekdays at 9 p.m., will move her New York-based show to Washington, D.C., for at least part of the time, Semaphore said. reported Sunday.
The move has not yet been finalized, but is currently being discussed by CNN CEO Mark Thompson and his aides in the hope that Collins will be able to take full advantage of Trump's procurement network within the White House. .
But another veteran TV official who worked for a rival network speculated that because CNN is cutting its own budget, it would move Collins to a White House role and remove him from his prime-time anchor role.
“Her ratings are bad,” the source said, noting that Collins' compensation is reportedly $3 million a year. “They probably want to bring her back to Washington, D.C., and get her out of the anchor chair.”
Collins' show, which launched on July 10, 2023, averaged 629,000 total viewers in its first year. But since the election earlier this month, the show's ratings have hovered between 565,000 and 430,000, according to Nielsen data.
CNN is looking for ways to keep costs down, while Thompson is looking to increase the network's digital presence to boost viewership. Chris Wallace is said to have been earning an annual salary of $7 million in recent months. He was informed that his low-rated show would be canceled..
Mr. Wallace chose to resign after being told by his agent that he could remain as an analyst if he accepted a significant pay cut.
The station also recently denied raises to Jake Tapper, who is estimated to make $7 million, and Wolf Blitzer, who is thought to make about $3 million.
CNN did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to CNN, the reporter covered the first Trump administration for his former employer, the conservative news site The Daily Caller.
In recent weeks, Collins has been reporting from West Palm Beach, Fla., near the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago compound, hosting the show from a nearby set and breaking news about the president's transition efforts. are.
The 32-year-old star rose through the ranks at the struggling news network, transitioning from the role of White House correspondent to co-host of the ill-fated morning show “CNN This Morning,” co-hosted by Don Lemon and Poppy. Both Mr. Harlow were fired.
Collins managed to avoid that disaster, finding Plum Live and anchoring the network's crucial 9pm time slot, cementing her status as CNN's “It Girl.”
Even with his ties to President Trump, it could be a difficult tightrope for Collins to walk at CNN, which is grappling with how to cover the president-elect.
Thompson said in an internal meeting with staff earlier this month that he didn't want the network to lean into too much anti-Trump coverage ahead of four more years of the Trump administration, the Status Newsletter first reported. I told you. reported.
He also stressed that there are many important topics beyond the DC bubble that should not be sidelined, and that the network needs to find a balance.
