For TV-news outlets, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of out with the old and in with the….who?
Due to the shifting landscape of news consumption as people turn to streaming and social media for immediate updates, traditional television news networks are letting go of veteran anchors and correspondents. Whether these decisions are mutual or made unilaterally, whether they’re friendly or not, this will result in fewer familiar faces at networks like NBC News, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS News, and CNN at a time when the audience tends to become more specific.
This week, I’m wrapping up my tenure at NBC’s “Today” as I choose to devote more time to my young children. By the end of this month, you’ll see Andrea Mitchell signing off from her MSNBC program she’s anchored since 2008, focusing more on her reporting roles. Around the same time, Norah O’Donnell will be moving on from “CBS Evening News” to take up a new special correspondent role. In September, Jeff Glor parted ways with CBS News due to layoffs. By the end of 2024, Chris Wallace and Alisyn Camerota bid farewell to CNN. Towards the end of this year, Neil Cavuto, a long-time anchor at Fox News, announced his departure from the network which he joined during its launch in 1996.
These events unfold during a slow but significant contraction of the television news industry. Last year, CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, CNN, and CNBC all reduced their workforce, and it seems that the financial landscape will be equally tough in the coming months – if not even harder. It’s common for news audiences to decrease following a presidential election cycle.
By the year 2025, according to market-research firm Kagan, which is part of S&P Global Intelligence, all three major cable news networks are predicted to experience decreases in advertising revenue and subscriptions. Specifically, ad sales for Fox News Channel are expected to drop from $1.03 billion in 2024 to around $1.01 billion. MSNBC’s ad sales are projected to decline from $639.6 million last year to nearly $568.9 million. CNN is anticipated to see a decrease from $563.9 million to approximately $499.1 million. Moreover, each of these networks is expected to lose around 3 million subscribers over the next 12 months based on Kagan’s data.
The previous year was anticipated to be a significant milestone for businesses due to the growing anticipation surrounding the 2024 presidential election, which typically boosts ratings and ad revenue. Consequently, prime-time viewership increased across all three cable news networks throughout the year. In particular, the demographic most sought after by advertisers (individuals aged between 25 and 54) saw a substantial increase in viewership. This demographic witnessed a 40% rise at Fox News, a 17% boost at CNN, and a 9% uptick at MSNBC.
Of course, that was then.
After the election, both CNN and MSNBC have experienced significant drops in ratings. Specifically, Nielsen data shows that MSNBC lost approximately 65% of its prime-time audience among adults aged 25-54 from the election to the end of 2024, while CNN saw a decline of 57%. Fox News, however, managed to capture around 71% of the overall audience that was still tuning in to any of the three networks in December. Despite these losses, executives and producers at CNN and MSNBC remain hopeful that audiences will return following President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Some also believe they may be able to attract more viewers through digital platforms.
The future for these news divisions is unclear due to challenges faced by some of their parent corporations. For instance, CBS News’ owner Paramount Global is being acquired by Skydance Media and plans to reduce costs further after initial cuts. Similarly, CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is reorganizing its structure, possibly setting up its TV networks for sale according to financial analysts on Wall Street. Furthermore, CNN is currently involved in a defamation lawsuit seeking $1 billion, stemming from a 2021 report that questioned the activities of a security consultant assisting people leaving Afghanistan.
NBCUniversal’s news divisions are facing an unpredictable period as their parent company, Comcast, plans to divest most of its cable networks, isolating MSNBC and CNBC from NBC News. The dedication of Disney to ABC News is being questioned following the company’s decision to pay a $15 million settlement to Donald Trump’s presidential library, after George Stephanopoulos mistakenly claimed on air in March that Trump was found guilty in a court case for sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll.
21st Century Fox, having divested numerous cable and entertainment properties to Disney back in 2019, has outperformed several rival companies in recent times; however, it encounters its own set of hurdles. The Murdoch family, who hold significant control within the company, are embroiled in disagreements regarding the management structure for Fox and sister company News Corp., should founder Rupert Murdoch, now 93 years old, pass away. Furthermore, the Fox News division is anticipated to confront a potential defamation lawsuit this year, filed by Smartmatic – a voting technology firm – alleging $2 billion in damages due to false claims aired on their network concerning Smartmatic’s role in manipulating the 2020 presidential election results, which were legally and fairly conducted.
It seems that the pressure might be preventing them from bringing in unexpected newcomers as replacements for those who are leaving. Instead, CBS is planning to have veterans like John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois lead a revamped “Evening News,” which could take on a local news-like format. NBC News is expected to promote Craig Melvin, a familiar face from the morning segment of “Today,” to replace Hoda Kotb during the show’s first two hours next week. Meanwhile, Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN might temporarily fill vacancies left by Wallace, Mitchell, and Cavuto with existing staff members based on current circumstances, according to sources familiar with each situation.
Veterans in their field often exhibit established work methods and earn above-average wages, making them potential targets for budget reductions. Over time, viewers may become accustomed to their presence and not find them as captivating as before, leading to decreased ratings during their assigned periods. It’s no surprise, then, that several of them have announced they will be leaving in the past few weeks.
As a seasoned movie critic, I must admit, even with their tenures behind them at well-known networks, these familiar faces maintain a bond with their audience. Some continue to carry enough clout to cultivate their own followings. Notably, Wallace, Cavuto, and Camerota have hinted at fresh journeys ahead. It’s unlikely they’ll garner the massive concurrent viewership they once did at their former stations. Yet, they won’t need that to taste success. Instead, they’re poised to captivate a more intimate audience, embarking on new adventures that resonate with us in unique ways.
They merely require creating sufficient ad and subscription income to sustain a modest internet business – a feat not overly challenging given the prevalence of YouTube channels and Substack newsletters today. Previous associates such as Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Don Lemon have already experimented with these waters.
Established news anchors don’t need to worry too much about one departure. But if numerous departures occur over time, they might face gradual erosion or damage, like a thousand small cuts. Some of these seasoned anchors may still have a ways to go before their careers reach their final stage.
Read More
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- „People who loved Dishonored and Prey are going to feel very at home.” Arkane veteran sparks appetite for new, untitled RPG
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- Destiny 2: A Closer Look at the Proposed In-Game Mailbox System
- Clash Royale Deck Discussion: Strategies and Sentiments from the Community
- Jennifer Love Hewitt Made a Christmas Movie to Help Process Her Grief
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic Was Inspired By Akira And Cowboy Bebop
- Critics Share Concerns Over Suicide Squad’s DLC Choices: Joker, Lawless, and Mrs. Freeze
- EUR IDR PREDICTION
2025-01-06 21:46