CNN Cuts 200 Jobs in Major Digital Shift

CNN is cutting about 200 jobs today. This adds up to roughly 6% of its total staff. The network says it must change how it works to keep up with the digital world. The cuts affect mostly television production teams, while the company plans to hire more people for its website and apps. Mark Thompson, the CEO of CNN, told employees that the move is part of a plan to fix the business as fewer people watch cable TV.

Key Facts

• Job Cuts: Approximately 200 employees (6% of workforce).
• Reason: Shifting money from TV to digital products and streaming.
• Investment: Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is spending $70 million on the new digital plan.
• Source: AP News, The Independent

The Digital Pivot

Mark Thompson sent a memo to staff this morning explaining the decision. He said the company needs to move its focus to where the audience is. Right now, that audience is moving away from traditional TV and toward phones and computers. Thompson said the goal is to secure CNN’s future.

“Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting,” Thompson wrote. He admitted the changes are painful but necessary.

The company is not just cutting costs. It is also spending $70 million to build new digital tools. This includes a new subscription service and a “lifestyle” product. Thompson said the company hopes to hire about 100 new people for these digital roles by the end of the year. This means the total number of workers might stay about the same in the long run, even though 200 people are losing their jobs today.

TV Lineup Changes

The changes also affect who you see on TV. The network is changing its schedule to save money and use talent differently. Wolf Blitzer, a long-time anchor, will move from his evening slot to a new show at 10 a.m. He will be joined by Pamela Brown. Jake Tapper’s show will expand to two hours starting at 5 p.m.

Other anchors are facing harder news. Jim Acosta is losing his 10 a.m. show. Reports say he is talking with bosses about a new role, possibly in a late-night slot. The network is also moving some of its technical work to its Atlanta office to save money.

These moves come as CNN faces tough competition. Ratings have dropped recently, and the network is trying to find a way to make money without relying only on cable subscriptions. Thompson said the company must use new tech and automation to work faster and cheaper. While the cuts are hard, he insists they are the only way to save the news organization.