Free Republic

It’s the most busted salary in news. CNN is reportedly paying anchor Anderson Cooper $18 million a year — an eye-popping sum that could be in the crosshairs when the ratings-challenged network is spun off by its debt-ridden parent company. Cooper, the face of the network and host of its primetime show at 8 p.m., has an uncertain future following Monday’s stunning announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav about the looming split, according to the Puck newsletter. Zaslav tapped WBD Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels to start looking for ways to cut costs when he takes over CNN...

CNN+ was pulled from air last month only three weeks after it launched, despite investing $300 million. Fox News defector Chris Wallace, who reportedly makes $9 million annually, joined the doomed streaming news service to pursue a lucrative job and get away from Tucker Carlson. It was unknown what his fate at Warner Bros Discovery would be. While other talent featured on CNN+ remains a mystery, including food industry star Roman, former NPR host Audie Cornish, former NBC hosts Kasie Hunt and Jemele Hill, and sports commentators Rex Chapman and Jemele Hill. The first day of official work for new...