CNN has announced readiness to lay off 200 employees, roughly six percent of its workforce, as part of a significant overhaul aimed at adapting to the changing media environment.
The job cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort that focuses on expanding the network’s digital presence.
While the layoffs mark a tough transition for the media company, CNN CEO, Mark Thompson, reassured employees in a memo that the overall headcount might remain stable, with new roles expected to be created in line with the company’s digital shift. “Some of today’s announcements mean significant new job opportunities at CNN, but others will lead to the loss of some valued colleagues,” Thompson wrote.
Thompson also clarified that despite eliminating 200 positions, the total number of employees is not expected to decrease drastically, assuring a planned $70 million investment in CNN’s digital future will fund new positions in the digital sector.
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As part of the changes, CNN will be prioritising digital contents and new technological advancements, hoping to stay competitive in an era of declining cable viewership and growing digital consumption.
The restructuring follows a trend seen across the media industry, with major outlets like the Associated Press and CNN itself making similar workforce reductions in response to economic pressures and shifts in media consumption.
In addition to the job cuts, CNN has also revealed plans to launch a new paid streaming product, though details remain scarce. This move comes after the closure of CNN+ in 2022, following its short-lived run amid the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery.
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