OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
CNN has lost another major veteran correspondent amid ongoing struggles for viewers as the network continues to lose out to cable news powerhouse Fox News. According to reports, correspondent and anchor Suzanne Malveaux, who has been with CNN for two decades, is now departing, according to Deadline.
In a memo to fellow staffers on Friday, Malveaux said she had “made the heartfelt decision to put myself and my family first and to pursue my long-desired professional passions: using storytelling to promote wellness, resiliency and social justice.”
The outlet noted further:
Malveaux is the latest veteran to depart the network. Barbara Starr, longtime Pentagon correspondent, exited last month. Others, including Martin Savidge, were part of the round of layoffs in early December, affecting hundreds of staffers. Although Malveaux’s name was rumored then as one of the on-air figures who was exiting, a source said that her departure was unrelated to the layoffs.
In her memo, she wrote that she went to CNN bosses last fall and talked “about focusing on my family and possibly pursuing some new opportunities,” adding that the network “supported me.”
Suzanne Malveaux to leave CNN after 20 years https://t.co/1K1HMs7BMX pic.twitter.com/SNrbX0t3PQ
— New York Post (@nypost) January 6, 2023
“I’m thrilled one of those projects will be a collaboration with a great grandson of Nelson Mandela to tell stories and spotlight communities in conflict poised to find peace. Stay tuned,” she added.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities CNN afforded me. Starting with hiring me in 2003 to cover the White House — a 10-year stint that enabled me to interview five US Presidents, and the highlight of my career to cover Barack Obama’s historic campaign,” she wrote in her memo.
“Then, promoting me as one of its first black women to solo anchor a CNN weekday show– and later as co-anchor of the ‘Around the World’ show– before returning to my storytelling roots. I have felt especially honored to showcase the stories of human resilience from post-Katrina New Orleans to Cairo, Kabul, Washington, and Lviv. I hope my work helped our audiences better understand the world as it changed around us,” she added. “It’s been an amazing journey!
“CNN’s platform enabled me to bring global awareness to those brave people battling ALS, including my mother Myrna Malveaux who fought to keep us whole as a family during her illness. While I’ve thrived on the energy from covering breaking news and politics, the rhythm of my life has shifted to the more personal,” the memo continued. “I love being a mom, and the time I have with my eight-year-old daughter is priceless. I am so thankful that my mother and daughter had a chance to develop a beautiful relationship before she passed.”
Her partner is current White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The couple shares an 8-year-old daughter. She has been serving as a national correspondent and has attempted to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
“I will forever cherish the talented, dedicated professionals of CNN who I grew up with over the past two decades, those I mentored, and many who have become dear friends. Especially my show team family in Atlanta!” she concluded.
Meanwhile, as CNN continues to struggle for viewers, Fox News is blowing away all comers.
A Fox Media Relations report noted last month:
FOX News Channel (FNC) notched its seventh year as leader in all of cable television while delivering the third highest-rated year ever in cable news history for 2022 in total day viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. The network’s programs continued to break new ratings records throughout the year, resulting in FNC continuing as the number one cable network in primetime and total day in viewers in basic cable for the seventh consecutive year and the highest-rated cable news network for the 21st straight year.
In primetime, FNC averaged 2,330,000 total viewers, 346,000 in the 25-54 demo and 214,000 in the 18-49 demo. In total day, FNC was the only network to post increases versus 2021, delivering 1,489,000 total viewers, 231,000 in the 25-54 demo and 141,000 in the 18-49 demo. FNC trounced CNN and MSNBC combined in primetime and total day across both categories, finishing the year as the only cable news network to notch more than 2 million in primetime viewers and 1 million in total day viewers.
FNC programs made up 92 of the top 100 cable news shows during 2022. Notably, CNN and MSNBC each saw their lowest-rated years of all time in total day with the younger A25-54 demo. According to data from Nielsen/MRI Fusion, FNC also attracted the most politically diverse audience in cable news with more Democrats, Independents and Republicans tuning into FNC than any other network in total viewers and the younger A25-54 demo.
This year, FNC had its second highest share of the cable news audience in its history with 53% in total day in the 25-54 demo. FNC also drew 55% of the primetime audience in total viewers.
