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Fox News
9 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Dave Portnoy says legacy media faces major distrust as CNN grapples with low morale
Print Close By Preston Mizell Published June 19, 2025 Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said that there is "obviously big time distrust of legacy media" during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. Portnoy's comments come in response to a Fox Digital report that CNN staffers are worried about the future of the former most-watched cable network. "It is obviously big time distrust of legacy media," Portnoy explained. "And there's so many different ways to consume media. Whether that's online podcasts, some of it good, some of it bad, to be honest, you just have to be really careful where you're getting your information from. There's so many different people speaking now and people can access it in so many ways." CNN MORALE 'REALLY GRIM' AS NETWORK FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE WITH CORPORATE SPLIT, STAFFERS WARN CNN dominated the airwaves in the '90s, leading coverage on Baghdad and the O.J. Simpson trial. Since then, prime-time viewership has plummeted from the Ted Turner-founded network to third in ratings. On Monday, Variety reported that one of the network's most notable stars, Anderson Cooper, hired high-powered Hollywood agent Bryan Lourd of Creative Artists Agency, which may indicate Cooper is either looking to bolster his contract with CNN or potentially leave the network altogether. Cooper has been at CNN for more than 23 years. One Cable News Network staffer also told Fox "the mood remains really grim" and that "people are uncertain" about what may come after an expected corporate restructuring by their parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN HAS 'TEARS ON THE HORIZON' AS WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY PLOTS NETWORK SPINOFF, INDUSTRY INSIDERS SAY Portnoy explained his thinking behind the shift in media, saying the internet has played a large role in where people get their information. "The internet has given a way for people to fact-check and come to their own conclusions," Portnoy added. "You just don't have a couple of network TV anchors or chairs telling you what to think." The Barstool Sports empire is a leading example of the change in how people interact with the media. The mostly podcast and social media-driven strategy has propelled the sports outlet into a giant, with Dave manning the helm. ANTISEMITIC SLUR FLUNG AT BARSTOOL SPORTS FOUNDER DAVE PORTNOY OUTSIDE TORONTO RESTAURANT Portnoy's infamous "one bite" pizza reviews are one of the many bits that put Barstool on the map, which feature Dave testing slices of pizza and rating them accordingly. Many of his reviews have gone viral and his scores can make or break pizzerias in New York City and across the country. Following the success of the pizza reviews, Dave launched the "One Bite Pizza Festival" in 2023 in Brooklyn, and now plans to host the event for a third year in Randall's Island Park this September for thousands to try his top-rated pizza choices. The event has sold out each time the festival has been held. "Like if you like pizza, obviously if you don't like pizza, forget about it, but everybody loves pizza," Dave told Fox. "We have the best pizzerias, 40 plus. We're always adding new ones. Like I just did this spectacular place series that went super-viral in New York City." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Tickets go on sale Friday, and then September 13th is the actual day, and if you like pizza you can't miss it," Dave added. Creative Artists Agency did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Print Close URL
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anderson Cooper quitting CNN? $18 million star anchor may walk out — here's what reports reveal
Anderson Cooper recently made a significant behind-the-scenes move that has raised serious concerns in the media world. The veteran CNN anchor has hired a Hollywood "super agent," prompting speculation that he is planning his exit from the network altogether. Why did Anderson Cooper switch agents now? As CNN undergoes major cost-cutting and network restructuring, the move has sparked speculation about Cooper's future at the network, including whether he plans to move into entertainment or leave CNN entirely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Anderson Cooper, who reportedly earns $18 million a year, is choosing Creative Artists Agency and its top deal broker, Bryan Lourd, over his longtime agency, United Talent Agency. Wiedenfels may target Cooper's high salary, according to a report published last week by Puck News. CNN however, did not disclose Cooper's salary. The network has also contested press figures. Live Events The news websites Variety and Semafor announced Cooper's relocation early on Tuesday. Variety claims that the CAA representative's clientele is more skewed toward Hollywood's elite than traditional broadcast journalists, making the choice to switch agents and hire Lourd noteworthy. A-list celebrities like Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and George Clooney have all expressed interest in hiring Lourd, as [er a report by The NY Post. ALSO READ: Trump about to fire Tulsi Gabbard? Explosive reports reveal why he's furious and done with her Is CNN cutting costs and salaries? As the traditional TV news model faces increasing financial pressures, Cooper's change of agencies has sparked speculation about whether the anchor may be getting ready to diversify his holdings or perhaps leave the network entirely. Over the years, the former war correspondent has expanded his media presence. Apart from hosting CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360," he also contributes to CBS's "60 Minutes" and has previously served as a guest host on "Jeopardy!" Could Anderson be planning a move beyond hard news? Cooper's recent agent change raises the possibility that there will be more development in the future, and these side gigs have allowed him to go beyond breaking bad news. Cooper's timing reportedly coincides with price reductions and a reevaluation of talent strategies by all networks. Cooper's bosses at Warner Bros. Discovery, the media conglomerate that owns CNN, are restructuring the company to separate its TV networks from its production and streaming businesses. Analysts believe this move could put the cable channels in a position to be sold in the future. Numerous seasoned anchors have been asked to accept pay reductions or fired. Cooper's former coworkers Don Lemon, Jim Acosta, and Alisyn Camerota have all left important positions, and Chris Wallace left CNN. FAQs Is Anderson Cooper actually leaving CNN? Nothing is confirmed yet, but his hiring of Hollywood agent Bryan Lourd has sparked speculation that he is planning to leave CNN or pursue new media opportunities. Why is Anderson Cooper's salary being scrutinized? According to reports, he earns approximately $18 million per year, which is significantly more than other CNN hosts with comparable ratings. Insiders believe that network cost-cutting may put him on the hot seat.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Misery at CNN HQ as debt-plagued network prepares for sale and Anderson Cooper hires new agent
A dark cloud hangs over CNN headquarters as staffers brace for layoffs and a likely sale of the network amid another reshuffling by its parents company. 'I'd say the mood remains really grim,' a CNN employee told Fox News, in the wake of last week's restructuring announcement from Warner Bros. Discovery. 'People are uncertain.' Meanwhile, CNN mainstay Anderson Cooper just signed with a new talent agency for the first time in decades - a move Variety reported was is a surefire sign he is open to new opportunities. The staffer who spoke to FOX News revealed workers were already aware of WBD's plans to split into two separate companies before last week, with one centered around studios and streaming. The other, tentatively titled Global Networks, will revolve around linear TV assets like CNN. 'We knew this was happening. And it was required to be able to sell the company,' the staffer said of the split. 'People are hoping CNN will be sold,' the source continued, saying Global Networks' new chief executive, WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, warned 'there is no limit, any sale can be made at any time - to a buyer who will invest in it. That's the bottom line.' The staffer added: 'I think they've telegraphed clearly that more cuts are coming. ' The insider noted that Wiedenfels' 'remit is not to grow stuff.' 'This company is a cash-flow giant with shrinking revenue. Like that's the deal,' the source said. 'It's merely a matter of how fast it shrinks. That's why the assets were split.' Wiedenfels has already managed to reduce WBD's $55billion debt by $21 billion in less than two years. His appointment by WBC CEO David Zaslav comes after several rounds of layoffs at his behest. Less than five months ago, CNN laid off 200 staffers - all from its struggling TV division. WBD has engaged in repeated rounds as well. A staffer told the Daily Mail at the time of the most recent CNN firings that the network had become 'bloated' after Warner Bros.' merger with Discovery in 2021. The cost-cutting seen since has done little to help the conglomerate's share price, which is down some 7 percent year to date. 'And we don't have streaming yet so - it's hard to imagine it doesn't get worse,' the CNN source further told Fox, referring to an anticipated portion of CNN CEO Mark Thompson's long-in-the works restructuring plan. 'If we do not follow the audiences to the new platforms with real conviction and scale, our future prospects will not be good,' Thompson told the New York Times in January. The new streaming service set to roll out this fall, he said, would feature the network's most well-known stars. This week, reports emerged that CNN superstar Cooper is now being represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) after years with United Talent Agency (UTA). He will be represented by Hollywood super-agent and CAA CEO Bryan Lourd. Cooper, 58, has been with CNN since 2001 and collects an annual salary of $18million, Puck reported this week, adding that such salaries would soon be a thing of the past. The report pointed out how Wiedenfels seems poised to commence cost-cutting, after working as Discovery's and then WBD's CFO since 2017. Much of the frustration from staff has been aimed at Zaslav, a second CNN staffer told Fox News, after two years of sagging ratings, streamlining roles, and repeated promises to pivot to streaming. 'Zaslav killed this place. He killed it,' the source said. 'The last few years under Zas has been a disaster in terms of what he has done,' the person added. Prior to announcing the restructuring last week, Zaslav reportedly dismissed a split of WBD's assets - including cable stations like TNT and TBS - as a bad idea. Sources told Puck at the time that ideas to better monetize the network by Thompson were either out of date or are coming too late - forcing execs' hands. A third staffer who spoke to Fox also appeared to believe a collapse at CNN is imminent. 'I'm trying to figure out what I'll do next when the whole thing collapses, but I don't even know when that will be,' the source said.
CNN
a day ago
- Politics
- CNN
Jordan's military intercepts Iranian missiles
Anderson Cooper witnesses Jordan intercepting Iranian missiles While traveling into Israel to cover the conflict with Iran, Anderson Cooper and CNN's Chuck Hadad captured video of Jordan intercepting Iranian missiles in Jordanian airspace. 00:56 - Source: CNN This is how the US could get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports on how the US could get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran while the countries continue trading strikes for a sixth day, with civilians in flashpoint areas facing waves of attacks. 02:14 - Source: CNN Trump open to assisting Israel in conflict with Iran CNN's Kaitlan Collins gives the latest reporting on the White House debating whether to intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict. 00:58 - Source: CNN Woman gives birth to triplets in underground Israeli hospital A woman gave birth to triplets Monday in Israel's Rambam hospital, one of several in the country that have moved some operations underground as Iranian strikes hit the city of Haifa this week, according to Reuters. 00:44 - Source: CNN What Iranian residents are texting to CNN as strikes hit As Israeli strikes zeroed in on Iran's capital city of Tehran, CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Tel Aviv some of the messages she's received from residents in Iran offering a glimpse into the daily anxieties of living in a country faced with an ever-escalating conflict in the sky. 01:33 - Source: CNN Trump disputes intel chief Tulsi Gabbard on Iran President Donald Trump disputed his own director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on how developed Iran's nuclear capabilities are and said Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon when Israel struck in recent days. 00:26 - Source: CNN Trump tells CNN reporter why he left G7 As President Donald Trump returns to the United States after leaving the G7 summit early, he took questions from journalists aboard Air Force One. Watch his answer to CNN's Chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins' question on why he left early. 00:44 - Source: CNN Trump slams Macron's comment on why he had to leave G7 summit early US President Donald Trump called out French President Emmanuel Macron over his counterpart's suggestion that he left the G7 summit to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. "He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 00:35 - Source: CNN Kaitlan Collins explains why Trump left G7 summit early President Donald Trump is heading back early to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada, as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fifth day. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports on the escalating attacks between the two sides and Trump's warning to civilians in Tehran. 00:55 - Source: CNN Ex-Israeli Defense Minister's message to Trump Benny Gantz, Chairman of Israel's National Unity Party, and the former Minister of Defense speaks to CNN's Anderson Cooper following Israel's attack on Iran. 01:08 - Source: CNN Video shows Pakistani students returning home from Tehran Hundreds of Pakistani students who left their studies in Tehran amid daily strikes on the city by Israel, have crossed back into Pakistan, a local official told CNN. 00:28 - Source: CNN CNN team sees strike damage in Tel Aviv Residents in Tel Aviv, Israel, are reeling after another round of Iranian strikes on the city overnight. CNN's International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson visits a street in the center of the city where buildings were severely damaged and windows blown out by Iranian missiles. 01:28 - Source: CNN What we know about Iran's key nuclear site It's key to Iran's nuclear program: the Fordow plant - in a mountain lair where hundreds of centrifuges, hidden possibly 90 meters underground, enrich uranium to 60%. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh explains what we know about the key site in Israel's crosshairs. 01:00 - Source: CNN CNN asks Israeli official about plans to eliminate Iran's nuclear program Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells CNN's Bianna Golodryga that it's up to the "free world" to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. 01:14 - Source: CNN Trump slams G7 for kicking out Russia President Donald Trump kicked off his visit to the G7 summit in Canada by criticizing nations for kicking out Russia eleven years ago. 00:36 - Source: CNN Shipping industry navigates Trump's trade war CNN's Kristie Lu Stout gets exclusive access on board a US-bound container ship in Hong Kong's port, the frontlines of China's 'export rush' chaos as the clock ticks down on a 90-day pause on US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods. 01:11 - Source: CNN Iranian state television says it was attacked by Israel The studio complex of Iran's state news channel IRINN was struck by Israel on Monday, according to the country's state news agency. A loud explosion was heard while an anchor was presenting live on air, according to a live feed. 00:19 - Source: CNN CNN visits site of deadly Iranian missile strike CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Tamra, a village in northern Israel inhabited by predominantly Palestinian citizens of Israel, where multiple civilians were killed after an Iranian rocket struck their home. 02:17 - Source: CNN Iran and Israel launch more missiles Iran launched a new barrage of missiles at Israel Sunday evening, with an explosion seen in the coastal city of Haifa. Israel said it began another series of strikes on military targets across Iran. 00:43 - Source: CNN Israel strikes Iran's capital Israeli strikes have hit the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday in yet another escalation of the ongoing conflict. Israel's military had previously said it was targeting military and nuclear complexes in Iran, although there are no known such complexes in these areas of the capital. 00:32 - Source: CNN
CNN
a day ago
- Politics
- CNN
Jordan's military intercepts Iranian missiles
Jordan's military intercepts Iranian missiles While traveling into Israel to cover the conflict with Iran, Anderson Cooper and CNN's Chuck Hadad captured video of Jordan intercepting Iranian missiles in Jordanian airspace. 00:56 - Source: CNN This is how the US could get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports on how the US could get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran while the countries continue trading strikes for a sixth day, with civilians in flashpoint areas facing waves of attacks. 02:14 - Source: CNN Trump open to assisting Israel in conflict with Iran CNN's Kaitlan Collins gives the latest reporting on the White House debating whether to intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict. 00:58 - Source: CNN Woman gives birth to triplets in underground Israeli hospital A woman gave birth to triplets Monday in Israel's Rambam hospital, one of several in the country that have moved some operations underground as Iranian strikes hit the city of Haifa this week, according to Reuters. 00:44 - Source: CNN What Iranian residents are texting to CNN as strikes hit As Israeli strikes zeroed in on Iran's capital city of Tehran, CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Tel Aviv some of the messages she's received from residents in Iran offering a glimpse into the daily anxieties of living in a country faced with an ever-escalating conflict in the sky. 01:33 - Source: CNN Trump disputes intel chief Tulsi Gabbard on Iran President Donald Trump disputed his own director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on how developed Iran's nuclear capabilities are and said Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon when Israel struck in recent days. 00:26 - Source: CNN Trump tells CNN reporter why he left G7 As President Donald Trump returns to the United States after leaving the G7 summit early, he took questions from journalists aboard Air Force One. Watch his answer to CNN's Chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins' question on why he left early. 00:44 - Source: CNN Trump slams Macron's comment on why he had to leave G7 summit early US President Donald Trump called out French President Emmanuel Macron over his counterpart's suggestion that he left the G7 summit to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. "He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 00:35 - Source: CNN Kaitlan Collins explains why Trump left G7 summit early President Donald Trump is heading back early to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada, as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fifth day. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports on the escalating attacks between the two sides and Trump's warning to civilians in Tehran. 00:55 - Source: CNN Ex-Israeli Defense Minister's message to Trump Benny Gantz, Chairman of Israel's National Unity Party, and the former Minister of Defense speaks to CNN's Anderson Cooper following Israel's attack on Iran. 01:08 - Source: CNN Video shows Pakistani students returning home from Tehran Hundreds of Pakistani students who left their studies in Tehran amid daily strikes on the city by Israel, have crossed back into Pakistan, a local official told CNN. 00:28 - Source: CNN CNN team sees strike damage in Tel Aviv Residents in Tel Aviv, Israel, are reeling after another round of Iranian strikes on the city overnight. CNN's International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson visits a street in the center of the city where buildings were severely damaged and windows blown out by Iranian missiles. 01:28 - Source: CNN What we know about Iran's key nuclear site It's key to Iran's nuclear program: the Fordow plant - in a mountain lair where hundreds of centrifuges, hidden possibly 90 meters underground, enrich uranium to 60%. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh explains what we know about the key site in Israel's crosshairs. 01:00 - Source: CNN CNN asks Israeli official about plans to eliminate Iran's nuclear program Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells CNN's Bianna Golodryga that it's up to the "free world" to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. 01:14 - Source: CNN Trump slams G7 for kicking out Russia President Donald Trump kicked off his visit to the G7 summit in Canada by criticizing nations for kicking out Russia eleven years ago. 00:36 - Source: CNN Shipping industry navigates Trump's trade war CNN's Kristie Lu Stout gets exclusive access on board a US-bound container ship in Hong Kong's port, the frontlines of China's 'export rush' chaos as the clock ticks down on a 90-day pause on US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods. 01:11 - Source: CNN Iranian state television says it was attacked by Israel The studio complex of Iran's state news channel IRINN was struck by Israel on Monday, according to the country's state news agency. A loud explosion was heard while an anchor was presenting live on air, according to a live feed. 00:19 - Source: CNN CNN visits site of deadly Iranian missile strike CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Tamra, a village in northern Israel inhabited by predominantly Palestinian citizens of Israel, where multiple civilians were killed after an Iranian rocket struck their home. 02:17 - Source: CNN Iran and Israel launch more missiles Iran launched a new barrage of missiles at Israel Sunday evening, with an explosion seen in the coastal city of Haifa. Israel said it began another series of strikes on military targets across Iran. 00:43 - Source: CNN Israel strikes Iran's capital Israeli strikes have hit the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday in yet another escalation of the ongoing conflict. Israel's military had previously said it was targeting military and nuclear complexes in Iran, although there are no known such complexes in these areas of the capital. 00:32 - Source: CNN
