TVNewser has been noting the “downward spiral” of Fox News Channel’s ratings for several months. In March, this site asked: “What is FNC doing about it?” This job ad suggested something was brewing. Now we know the rumors of firings were realistic:

“Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes is on the warpath following his network’s recent ratings slump, and he won’t hesitate to clean house to turn things around,” Broadcasting & Cable says. “Insiders say Ailes is fuming over the complacency he senses among staffers. Production values are slipping, and bookers aren’t competitive enough, relying too heavily on the same pool of faces and settling for authors or actors after they’ve already been on CNN or … gasp … MSNBC.”

Ailes is using the media to crack the whip. Through a spokesperson, Ailes told B&C that “anyone who displays launch-type intensity will continue to have a job at Fox News. Those who don’t will not. And that includes talent.”

Who was he directing the “includes talent” line to?…