Under Licht, CNN has dialed back using the “breaking news” banner on its reports in order to shift away from opinion-based programming. But one well-placed source told The Post that the ratings have taken a hit due in part to removing such “sensational” and “delicious” details that have become commonplace in cable news.

“The problem is we are not a neutral country,” the source said. “The ratings are getting worse because they are taking out all the bells and whistles. CNN’s ratings are as bad as local news ratings.”

“New management is not freaking out but everyone else at CNN is,” the source added. “They want to fix the shows first, but they don’t realize the shows and ratings are connected.”