Don Lemon anticipates earning higher income through podcasting compared to his tenure at CNN.
In the ever-evolving world of media, Don Lemon, the former CNN news anchor, has made a significant move into digital content creation. After his departure from CNN in 2023, Lemon has been making waves in the digital sphere with his eponymous show on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Despite facing criticism for his hypocritical and cringe political views, Lemon's digital venture appears to be a financial success. According to the New York Post, his digital show is on track to earn more per year than the $7 million a year he made at CNN. This is a testament to the growing financial potential in digital media, a realm where the biggest stars have surpassed their television counterparts in earnings since 2020.
Lemon's digital journey has not been without challenges. His agreement with Elon Musk as a podcaster for X lasted only a few months. Musk severed ties with Lemon after claiming he tried "bringing CNN to X." However, Lemon has learned to court independent advertisers to sponsor his content, with brands paying a premium to be associated with him despite his modest viewership.
Lemon boasts 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, with video views ranging from 15,000 to 250,000. This modest viewership has not deterred him from tapping into the significant earning potential in podcasting and digital media. In fact, Lemon has stated that he could make more money podcasting than he did on television.
The earning potential in digital media is not exclusive to Lemon. Other media personalities, such as Rachel Maddow and Joe Rogan, have also capitalised on this trend. Maddow, despite hosting only once a week on MSNBC, is reportedly willing to command a salary of $25 million a year, while Rogan re-signed with Spotify in 2024 for a reported $250 million.
It is no surprise that brands are willing to pay a premium to be associated with a media personality, regardless of their viewership. This trend is not new in media, and it seems to be a strategy that independent media creators like Don Lemon are encouraged to embrace.
Despite the lack of specific or updated public data on Lemon's net worth from digital ventures versus his CNN salary, it is clear that Lemon's foray into digital media has proven to be a financially successful move. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Lemon's digital venture continues to grow and what the future holds for him in the world of digital content creation.
Don Lemon's digital show, despite facing criticisms, has shown a remarkable financial success, set to earn more per year than his $7 million annual salary at CNN, demonstrating the lucrative potential of digital media. This earning potential is not limited to Lemon, as other media personalities like Rachel Maddow and Joe Rogan have capitalized on it, with Maddow negotiatating a $25 million yearly salary and Rogan securing a $250 million deal.
