CNN’s Mark Thompson Is Ready to Make His Mark on the Network

Top of the Ticker: CNN’s Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson has officially passed the one year mark as the network’s leader. As he embarks on Year 2, The Ankler’s Lachlan Cartwright reports that the former New York Times leader is looking to shake things up in a big way. Cartwright’s sources indicate that Thompson is pursuing tough bargains as he renews the contracts of CNN’s marquee talent, with anchors like Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, and Chris Wallace seeing little to no pay increases. Other cost-cutting measures may include moving additional staff and resources from New York to Atlanta, bringing in “edgy” (and cheaper) talent and, of course, further layoffs.

NEW: Inside CNN CEO Mark Thompson’s massive overhaul, where Chris Wallace is being offered a pay cut, and Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer were renewed without raises. “Flat is the new up,” one top agent tells me.

My first yarn for @TheAnkler —https://t.co/cfUYthlcWm

— Lachlan Cartwright (@LachCartwright) October 16, 2024

Election Road Trip: Beginning on Oct. 21, CNBC’s Brian Sullivan will embark on an election-themed road trip across battleground counties of Erie, PA, Grand Rapids, MI and Kenosha, WI. The trip will focus on economic subjects like inflation, labor, manufacturing, and energy, with Sullivan speaking to key businesses and voters about their concerns ahead of the election.

New Programming Alert: Bloomberg is launching Insight with Haslinda Amin, a daily Singapore-based news program. The new series premieres Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. in Singapore (it will air at 11 p.m. ET the previous day in the U.S.) and features headline makers and global leaders speaking with Amin about subjects ranging from climate change to sports.

Availability Upgrade: Noticias Telemundo has announced that Noticias Telemundo Ahora is now available on Samsung Plus. The FAST channel is also available on platforms like Xumo Play, Google TV, Fire TV, TCL, Roku, Local Now, and Freevee.