CBS’ renewed call for $100 million in cuts has staffers of the broadcast company — which is still reeling from a series of sexual harassment scandals — in a tizzy over who’s in and who’s out, The Post has learned.
“We are reorganizing and thinking about functions that go across multiple divisions,” interim CEO Joe Ianniello told analysts at Deutsche Bank Media and Telecom conference in Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday. “We expect to … get $100 million in cost savings,” he said.
That had staffers of CBS’ news division questioning who might be on the chopping block, especially as ratings for its morning and nightly news shows fall — and as Gayle King of “CBS This Morning” is reported to be looking to at least double her $6 million salary.
“Gayle is looking for $10 million more? Bodies will have to roll,” one well-placed source told The Post.
“Their morning show hasn’t had an executive producer for two and half months,” this person said. “Meanwhile, the evening news team thinks they are all fired.”
Staffers were already jittery amid signs that newly promoted CBS News President Susan Zirinsky has been rethinking the anchor lineup. Zirinsky is toying with the idea of moving King’s co-host Norah O’Donnell to “CBS Evening News,” replacing anchor Jeff Glor, sources said.
If that happens, “Nora will want a new deal” — further bloating the budget, one source chided.
CBS is also rumored to be looking outside for talent, including former “Today” co-host Ann Curry, who left NBC in 2012 with an annual salary of about $10 million.
HLN anchor Ashleigh Banfield has also been said to be interviewing for the morning gig.
Curry, who was seen at CBS three weeks ago, has been screen tested for a job, one nervous source said.
An insider at CBS denied that Curry did a screen test and said any talks with her to join the Tiffany Network happened prior to Zirinsky being named CBS News president in January.
The network is not in talks with Curry or Banfield, the insider said.
One on-air personality who’s job is secure is King, who is flying high after her masterful R. Kelly interview, which pulled in 3.4 million total viewers, putting her in a strong position to ask for more money.
Prior to King’s explosive R. Kelly interview, ratings for “CBS This Morning” fell 8 percent from last year, with 3.1 million total viewers. After the interview, its ratings still lagged the other networks’ but were only down 3 percent.
The morning show has suffered since co-host Charlie Rose was ousted over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations, putting it even farther behind ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today” show.
“CBS Evening News” is also in last place for its time slot, although it has suffered less than the morning show, down just 3 percent from last year. That show’s anchor, Glor, is also said to be making a more modest salary compared with other CBS on-air talent.
CBS is also looking for a new CEO to replace Les Moonves, who resigned last fall due to sexual harassment allegations.
Reps for Curry and Banfield declined to comment. A CBS rep said, “CBS News declines to engage in speculation.”
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