I admit to having a soft spot for CNN, and it’s not just because of the three years I spent with their parent company just after the first Gulf War turned what was even internally referred to as Chicken Noodle News into an indispensable and valued always-on resource for breaking news and vital information. They were also delivering record ratings at the time, which was fantastic for the cable industry as a whole, and it didn’t hurt the size of my bonuses.
So to see what’s become of it in recent years, not only just in terms of audience size and viewer relevance but, perhaps just as importantly, degree of respect in general is more than a little disheartening. And this week the network took what I would contend are a few more steps backward toward where it was a few months before I wore an employee badge that featured its logo.
The news of still more layoffs and consolidation of resources wasn’t great but it wasn’t unprecedented, neither in the industry as a whole or with CNN itself. We officially learned of the latest round of pink slips from the likes of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS’ David Bauder yesterday:
CNN announced a restructuring Thursday that includes some 200 layoffs, an accelerated pivot to digital operations and new TV roles for personalities like Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper and Audie Cornish. The layoffs are concentrated in CNN’s TV business, where ratings have tumbled as consumers cut off cable and seek other news sources. Layoffs have either taken place or are anticipated across the news industry. CNN’s ratings have taken a hit since the election of President Donald Trump, a longtime critic of the network. CNN averaged 1.7 million viewers for Trump’s inauguration this week, compared to 8 million for Joe Biden’s inaugural four years ago.
I might have cited slightly more wider-lens data from the entirety of 2024 where despite an election year bump of +20% over its 2023 nadir CNN’s 707,000 average primetime viewers was still barely more than half of that of MSNBC and roughly a quarter of FOX NEWS, but I suppose those earlier layoffs have already diminished the level of detail and accuracy those that remain are capable of seeking.
But earlier in the week the network effectively joined the ranks of streaming media knee-benders by reportedly muzzling those aforementioned personalities, as OK MAGAZINE noted in an intriguing piece that also dropped yesterday:
CNN boss Mark Thompson seemingly wants his employees to be more sympathetic to Donald Trump as the network gears up for the next four years.
According to a report, Thompson told 100 journalists — including stars Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper — not to “pre-judge” the president during their inauguration coverage on Monday, January 20. The meeting occurred on Sunday, January 19, ahead of the inauguration, according to the Status newsletter.
The report claimed Thompson “made it clear that he did not want the coverage to relitigate the past,” seemingly alluding to the hostile relationship the network has with the politician. Thompson apparently asked employees to steer reporting away from Trump’s legal troubles, including his “hush money” conviction. The CEO asked his workers to be “open-minded” about the next four years under Trump’s administration.
CNN reporters didn’t seem to respond well to the message, as Thompson reportedly opened the floor for staff questions but was met with silence. “What Thompson and other top brass had communicated was clear and none of the meeting participants apparently had the desire to question the guidance,” the report stated.
And that group of non-questioners would apparently include one of its few journos who is still at least trying to ask questions, the embattled Jim Acosta. Later in the week Acosta at least tried to play intrepid reporter as THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER’s Heather Hunter recounted:
CNN anchor Jim Acosta sparred with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) about President Donald Trump‘s pardon of over 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with crimes stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“Do you defend what Donald Trump did, releasing these people from prison, pardoning them, commuting their sentences? Yes or no?” Acosta asked on Wednesday.
Burchett said that he “was offended as anybody” if rioters were crossing barriers on the historic day but cautioned that many defendants “never even saw their day in court” while sitting in a jail cell. The congressman added that it was unclear if some of the defendants were truly violent.
“What do you mean you don’t know that? We’re showing the footage on the air right now. Congressman, you were there that day. There are offenders on Jan. 6 who violently beat police officers. There are offenders who are convicted of seditious conspiracy. That is the truth,” the CNN host pushed back.
“This is a political world, Jim,” the Tennessee lawmaker responded. “And I don’t remember you all on CNN condemning Joe Biden for commuting the sentences of murders and child molesters, which he did.”
Acosta attempted to suggest the congressman did not “back the blue” in supporting some of the January 6 pardons, to which the lawmaker pointed to law enforcement being killed and attacked under Biden’s presidency.
“Look what happened in the last four years with police. What happened with all the riots that took place all across the country? Police officers were murdered. Courthouses were burned. Over 22 police cars were burned. Yet no one went to jail for that,” Burchett said, adding, “Where are your crocodile tears for that?”
“Why not just say, ‘You were wrong, Mr. President?’ Say it! Why can’t you say it?” Acosta pressed.
A Republican elected official engaging in partisan whataboutism may be the equivalent of dog-bites-man these days. But a snide parting shot that spewed from the sneering lips of Burchett was, to me, an especially missed opportunity to prove how downright dopey some Trump loyalists are without even having to invoke any of the policies or demands of Fat Orange Jesus:
The heated clash continued as the discussion turned to the network’s ratings. “This is not Fox, Congressman. You can‘t just spin a tale and pull the wool over people‘s eyes. This is CNN. This is the news. We are asking you to come on and tell the truth,” Acosta stated.
“And that’s why more people are watching the Cartoon Network SpongeBob reruns right now, Jim,” Burchett clapped back.
Ask anyone under the age of 25 where SpongeBob reruns are shown. Given that Acosta works for a sister company of Cartoon Network he should have immediately been able to clap back “They’re on Nickeoldeon, you dumb f–k”. Or something to that effect.
But Acosta’s hardly operating from a position of strength these days, as THE NEW YORK POST’s Ariel Zilber noted in yet another report from yesterday:
Jim Acosta is threatening to quit CNN rather than accept a reassigned time slot that would see him move from late mornings to the graveyard shift, according to a report. Acosta’s days at CNN may be numbered as the former White House correspondent known for his combative coverage of President Trump could be heading for the exits rather than accept a move that would see him broadcast a nightly show starting at midnight, according to the Los Angeles Times.
While Acosta’s move is widely perceived as a demotion given the fact that fewer people watch television in the midnight hour, a network source noted that a 12 a.m. Eastern Time show airs at 9 p.m. on the West Coast — which constitutes a primetime show in the Pacific time zone.
If Acosta were to accept his reassignment, he could be broadcasting his show from Los Angeles, which would necessitate him and his family moving from their current home in Washington, DC, according to a network source. The source told The Post that a move to Los Angeles is not a requirement and that Acosta could continue to broadcast from Washington, DC, if he chose to do that.
But at least it sounds like Acosta at least still has the option in front of him to actually work. I wonder how many of the 200-odd East Coast-based now-former colleagues of his might have jumped at the chance to work odd hours at this point.
That said, they might not possess the skill sets that Thompson has called upon in his previous gigs where he was able to carve out profitable entries into digital “journalism”. Lifestyle reporting was expanded upon during his tenure at the BBC. The NEW YORK TIMES’ growth areas are with the likes of DEALBOOK and its subscription platforms focusing on cooking and games.
Hmmm. Maybe Acosta can brush up on his WORDLE skills? I’ll gladly help. And perhaps together we can educate Burchett on the cable animation landscape. I’m still brave enough to try.
Until next time…
1 thought on “From Chicken Noodle To…Well, Chicken.”
Steve — You present a great review here that clarifies the new pressures on CNN to bend to the lies of Donald Trump. Is anyone really surprised? I think most everyone, Left, Right & Center, expected this would happen. The liberal and centrist media has stupidly called the Trump administration “authoritarian.” Using that term is completely out of touch with the reality you reveal here. –An intellectual term that does not connect with the millions of less educated viewers who do not know the term! CNN needs to call it what Trump has already set up — a U.S. Dictatorship! The Constitutional law and order guaranteeing and protecting most of our individual freedoms is being gutted for a mafia-like structure of the Strong Man giving orders to his enforcers to carry out. Just look at our latest shock: The longtime drunken, woman-hating Hegseth is approved to run the Dept of Defense. He’s now in charge of the world’s biggest military force — all their day-to-day operations and our nuclear bombs. And Hegseth is as emotionally unstable as an immature, bullied teenager bent on seeking revenge. “Authoritarian”? May God protect America — that hope used to be possible. But now the only hope we have is to organize a national movement by the millions, marching on the streets in every community with the staunchest media leaders helping to organize average citizens in defense of our own lives, our children and our beloved planet Earth.