Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 12, 2025 · Entertainment

Anderson Cooper's $18M Salary Sparks Outrage as CNN Faces Restructuring

Anderson Cooper, 58, collects $18 million-a-year from CNN, according to a new report from Puck's Dylan Byers published Wednesday

Exclusive Scoop: CNN's $18 Million Anchor Salary in Jeopardy Amid Warner Bros Discovery's Split

Get ready for a drama-filled ride! TheScholarlyNote.com has the inside scoop on Anderson Cooper's staggering $18 million annual salary, which is under threat due to Warner Bros Discovery's shocking decision to split into two separate companies.

According to sources close to the matter, Cooper's massive paycheck is roughly five times that of Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins. But don't get too comfortable, folks! With CNN's ratings at an all-time low and the network facing significant financial challenges, it's clear that this golden era for Cooper might soon come to an end.

The longtime anchor's salary is roughly five times that of 33-year-old Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins, sources said

Jake Tapper's Low-Eight-Figure Deal: A Sign of Things to Come

Meanwhile, Jake Tapper is still locked into his multiyear deal worth a mere fraction of Cooper's astronomical salary. While he's not in danger of losing his job anytime soon, this development serves as a warning sign that the good times are over for CNN talent.

The Writing on the Wall: Warner Bros Discovery's Split and Its Impact on CNN

Jake Tapper, meanwhile, remains locked in a 'low-eight-figure multiyear deal', the report revealed, adding that the anchor ,seen here sporting a copy of his new book, is set to stay on-air for the foreseeable future as a result

In a bombshell announcement earlier this week, Warner Bros Discovery revealed plans to split into two separate companies. The move will leave CNN leading a new debt-ridden firm centered around linear TV – a reality that could have devastating consequences for the network.

As Puck's Dylan Byers puts it: "[Tapper] is surely the last CNN talent who will ever come close to netting that kind of income." With Warner Bros Discovery's CFO, Gunnar Wiedenfels, set to take the reins of the new company, Byers believes that this marks the beginning of the end for CNN as we know it.

CNN's Ratings: A Descent into Darkness

Gunnar Wiedenfels, the new boss of the CNN-led company, will soon see CNN as an opportunity to 'maintain relatively similar profits at a mere fraction of the cost', Puck reported

But let's not forget the elephant in the room – CNN's dismal ratings. At an all-time low, the network is struggling to stay afloat, with even MSNBC surpassing its viewership numbers. It's no wonder that CEO Mark Thompson warned of an "existential question" for the network's digital future.

The Great Unknown: What Lies Ahead for CNN

As the clock ticks away, it's anyone's guess what lies ahead for CNN. Will the network continue to hemorrhage talent and ratings? Or will a miracle come along to save the day? One thing is certain – the road ahead will be treacherous, with Warner Bros Discovery's split serving as a harbinger of change.

The salary revelations come as CEO David Zaslav has aired plans to divvy up the conglomerate, leaving CNN to lead a company comprised of declining cable channels

The Schmooze: Behind-the-Scenes Drama at CNN

But what about the people who matter most – the employees? A frantic atmosphere has taken hold at CNN, with workers reaching out to Byers in panic. What does this mean for them? As one high-ranking insider asked, "Thoughts?!?" The uncertainty is palpable.

The Verdict: Is Warner Bros Discovery's Split the Death Knell for CNN?

Cable top dog Fox runs on a relatively inexpensive model compared to CNN - fueled by studio programs. CNN has several foreign bureaus and spends large amounts on newsgathering

In conclusion, it seems that Warner Bros Discovery's split is a harbinger of doom for CNN. With a new debt-ridden company on the horizon and ratings at an all-time low, it's hard to see how this can end well.

Stay tuned for more updates as this drama unfolds!

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Keep reading TheScholarlyNote.com for the latest scoop on Warner Bros Discovery's split and its impact on CNN.