Kristin Donnelly, the executive producer of The Source with Kaitlan Collins on CNN, has officially stepped down from her role, citing the demanding work hours as a key factor in her decision to leave, and her sudden resignation adds another layer of challenges for CNN, which is grappling with declining viewer statistics.
Donnelly's exit from the helm of the noted White Houe-centered show underscores the intense pressure of producing a leading show in a struggling network, even as it holds a top spot among a key demographic, as the Daily Mail reports.
The resignation decision was made public through Oliver Darcy's Status newsletter and came to the attention of her colleagues this past Thursday. Her departure was motivated by a work schedule she described as "brutal," highlighting the demanding nature of television production.
Donnelly had a notable tenure at CNN, having been a part of the network since 2017, and she worked on Inside Politics with John King before joining The Source at its inception in 2023.
As executive producer, Donnelly played a pivotal role in shaping The Source with Kaitlan Collins, which quickly became CNN's most-watched evening program among viewers aged 25 to 54, as reported by Nielsen ratings. Despite her efforts, the overall ratings for the network have not kept pace with competitors, such as Fox News and MSNBC, with Hannity and The Rachel Maddow Show respectively outpacing Collins' program in total viewership.
Collins, who anchors the show and additionally serves as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, earns an annual salary of $3 million. Even though her show is a top performer in its demographic, the challenge remains as it trails in third place against its time slot competitors.
CNN has been facing difficulties in maintaining strong viewership numbers overall. Collins' program, while performing well in certain metrics, draws approximately 569,000 total viewers, a figure that pales in comparison to Hannity’s 2.7 million and Maddow’s 1.7 million. Despite these challenges, CNN's shows often show strength in core demographics, like Anderson Cooper’s show surpassing Jen Psaki's program in those key age groups.
Donnelly's decision to leave reflects broader concerns within the network regarding the pressure to perform in a fiercely competitive media landscape. This environment can lead to intense workloads that take a toll on staff, which can be seen in Donnelly's case.
Collins herself has been a topic of conversation both for her work and controversial statements. In one instance, she discussed an artwork outside the Oval Office featuring a former president's mugshot, noting the unusual nature of such a display. This statement stirred responses on social media, drawing comparisons to another notable journalist, Jim Acosta, with one user labeling her as "Jim Acosta 2.0."
Collins also garnered significant attention when leading a CNN town hall with Donald Trump in May 2023, which further amplified her presence in the news media and fueled public scrutiny.
Donnelly's departure signifies a potential turning point for The Source with Kaitlan Collins and CNN. The network will need to manage the transition carefully in hopes of maintaining or growing its audience in key demographics. This comes at a critical time as CNN strives to remain competitive against the dominating presence of Fox News in primetime slots.
As CNN navigates these challenges, the industry continues to evolve rapidly. New viewing habits and digital transformations add layers of complexity to traditional broadcast roles, increasing the stakes for executives like Donnelly and on-air talents such as Collins.
Despite these hurdles, CNN’s ability to perform well in certain demographic segments offers some optimism. However, it leaves unanswered questions about the future strategic directions needed to regain dominance in total viewership.
