CNN to Lay Off 6% of Staff in Major Restructuring Amid Political News Surge
CNN announced Thursday that it will lay off approximately 200 employees, or 6% of its workforce, as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at adapting to the changing landscape of political news. The network’s CEO, Mark Thompson, said the staff reductions would be accompanied by new job opportunities in digital roles, indicating that the overall headcount may remain stable.
Thompson acknowledged the job losses in a memo to staff, explaining that while the layoffs are unfortunate, the restructuring is necessary as CNN continues to evolve in response to the return of Donald Trump to the White House. “Some of today’s announcements mean significant new job opportunities at CNN, but others will lead to the loss of some valued colleagues,” he stated.
Despite the layoffs, CNN plans to invest $70 million in its digital initiatives, creating new positions within the company. The move comes as part of CNN’s ongoing efforts to remain competitive in the rapidly changing media landscape, where digital content is increasingly vital. It remains to be seen whether CNN’s restructuring will follow the pattern seen at other legacy media outlets, where senior, higher-paid reporters and editors have been let go to make room for younger, lower-paid staff focused on digital platforms.
This restructuring follows similar moves by other media outlets. In November, the Associated Press announced it would reduce its workforce by nearly 8%, citing economic pressures and client cancellations. CNN itself previously eliminated around 100 jobs in July, while also launching a paid digital offering to complement its traditional programming.
Thompson also revealed plans for the future launch of a new paid streaming product, although details about the offering remain scarce. CNN’s previous attempt at a streaming service, CNN+, was abruptly shut down just a month after its launch in 2022, following a merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery.
The network’s struggles come amid declining cable TV viewership and stiff competition from other news outlets. CNN has fallen behind conservative-leaning Fox News, which aired a highly publicized interview with Donald Trump on Wednesday, and MSNBC, which has positioned itself as a leading opposition voice against Trump and the Republican Party.
