A bombshell report has revealed CNN anchor Anderson Cooper's staggering salary amid mounting concerns about the network's financial viability. The veteran journalist's compensation package has raised eyebrows throughout the industry.

According to a Daily Mail report, Cooper commands an annual salary of $18 million, approximately five times more than what Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins earns. The salary details emerged as CNN's parent company, Warner Bros Discovery, announced plans to split into two separate companies, placing the news network in a precarious position.

The report, originally published by Puck's Dylan Byers, highlights how Cooper's substantial compensation comes at a time when CNN's ratings have plummeted to historic lows. Jake Tapper reportedly remains under a "low-eight-figure multiyear deal," with Byers suggesting he may be "the last CNN talent who will ever come close to netting that kind of income."

Network's Financial Struggles Mount

Warner Bros Discovery's recent announcement to split its assets has sent shockwaves through CNN's workforce. The reorganization will place CNN at the helm of a new debt-laden company focused on linear television.

CNN will join other declining channels, including TBS, Food Network, HGTV, and TNT (which recently lost its NBA broadcasting rights), in the new corporate structure. This strategic shift appears to prioritize the company's streaming services while potentially marginalizing its traditional cable networks.

Employees reportedly reached out to Puck's Byers following the announcement, expressing anxiety about their futures. One staff member simply asked, "What does this mean for us?" while a "high-ranking" CNN insider sought opinions regarding CEO David Zaslav's restructuring plans.

Cost-Cutting Measures Intensify

Former WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, who will lead the new CNN-centered company, is expected to view the network as an opportunity to maintain profitability while drastically reducing expenses. This approach aligns with previous cost-cutting initiatives at the media conglomerate.

Under Zaslav's three-year leadership, Warner Bros Discovery has reduced its debt burden by approximately $21 billion. This aggressive financial management has come at a human cost, with CNN experiencing multiple rounds of layoffs during this period.

Just five months ago, CNN eliminated 200 positions from its television division, which an insider described as "bloated" following the 2021 merger between Warner Bros and Discovery. These job cuts were part of a broader restructuring strategy that has failed to boost the company's stock price, which remains down 7 percent year-to-date.

Streaming Future Versus Cable Decline

CNN CEO Mark Thompson has emphasized the network's need to pivot toward digital platforms to ensure long-term survival. His restructuring plan prioritizes CNN's digital future over its traditional cable news operations.

Thompson highlighted the existential challenge facing the network in January, stating: "This is a moment where the digital story feels like an existential question. If we do not follow the audiences to the new platforms with real conviction and scale, our future prospects will not be good." The network plans to launch a streaming service featuring its most prominent personalities.

CNN's audience metrics have deteriorated significantly under Thompson's two-year tenure, with ratings dropping more than 20 percent. The network now trails both Fox News and MSNBC in viewership despite once dominating cable news.

Why This Story Matters

This story highlights the disintegrating foundation of one of America’s once-stalwart news institutions. With journalism and public trust in the media already under strain, CNN’s struggles raise deeper questions about the viability of legacy newsrooms in today’s economy. As tens of thousands tune out traditional cable news, the story forces an uncomfortable look at how resources are allocated—and who ultimately suffers when priorities skew. For pundits, viewers, and reporters alike, the unraveling of CNN serves as a bellwether for the pressures facing modern journalism at large.

Conclusion

The staggering $18 million annual salary of Anderson Cooper, revealed by Dylan Byers this week, has become a flashpoint for increasing scrutiny within CNN as the network grapples with dismal ratings, layoffs, and its role in a soon-to-be spun-off cable conglomerate under Warner Bros Discovery.

Jake Tapper’s multiyear contract could be the last of its kind, while insiders like Mark Thompson acknowledge the urgent need for digital transformation. With workers sounding alarms and WBD moving toward a split, CNN now stands on what many observers see as a precipice, with big paychecks and outdated strategies threatening its ability to stay relevant in an evolving world of news.