As of November 2024, CNN is experiencing significant ratings declines following the recent election in which Donald Trump was victorious. Former CEO Chris Licht, who was ousted in 2023, discussed the challenges he faced during his tenure at the New York Press Club's Journalism Conference on November 25, 2024.
Licht attributed his firing to resistance within the organization to his efforts for change, notably after the controversial Trump town hall in May 2023, which sparked backlash from staff. He stated, 'When you try to change something dramatically, you can't do it alone. You've got to build the trust of the organization.'
Despite the backlash, Licht defended the Trump town hall, asserting it was the right decision, although he acknowledged he should have informed viewers that the audience was primarily Trump supporters.
Following the election, CNN's ratings have plummeted, with reports indicating that viewership has dropped significantly, leading to frustration among staff regarding impending budget cuts and layoffs. Licht's successor, Mark Thompson, faces the challenge of reversing these trends amidst ongoing financial difficulties.
In a related development, both CNN and MSNBC have recorded lower ratings than the Hallmark Channel during the same period, with Hallmark averaging 810,000 viewers in primetime, surpassing both news networks.