US news giant CNN eyes 200 job cuts, streaming overhaul
NEW YORK—US news network CNN will shed 6 percent of staff, some 200 people, the outlet said Thursday as it embarks on a major shakeup of staffing and programing amid a deluge of political news.
The broadcaster, which said overall employee headcount could remain stable with new roles created, follows other outlets restructuring amid the return of Donald Trump to the White House on Monday.
“Some of today’s announcements mean significant new job opportunities at CNN, but others will lead to the loss of some valued colleagues,” CNN chief executive Mark Thompson told staff in a memo.
“Yes, there are job-losses—around 6 percent of the current CNN workforce will be impacted—but we don’t expect total headcount to fall much this year, if at all,” he added.
“That’s because of the $70 million we’re investing in our digital plans and the many new jobs it will pay for.”
Cheaper staff
It is unclear if the restructuring will follow the pattern of some other legacy media outlets where seasoned reporters and editors on higher salaries are cleared out to make way for younger, cheaper staff for digital projects.
Long overtaken by conservative favorite Fox News, CNN has also been overtaken by MSNBC.
