Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) cable news channel CNN is laying off around 200 workers as the network reorients its editorial and programming operations around digital platforms and products.
The layoffs represent around 6 percent of CNN’s global workforce of nearly 3,500 employees. Some of those who receive pink slips will be given the opportunity to apply to new positions that are expected to be created in the coming weeks. CNN laid off around 100 newsroom employees last year.
The network has struggled with low post-election ratings that have solidified its position in third place among major cable news channels, behind Fox News and MSNBC but slightly ahead of NewsNation and Newsmax.
In a memo to employees on Thursday, CNN CEO Mark Thompson said the network was working to revamp its operations in order to meet audiences on digital platforms with new products and programming that caters to their information wants.
“The changes we’re announcing today are part of an ongoing response by this great news organization to profound and irreversible shifts in the way audiences in America and around the world consume news,” Thompson said.
He continued: “Our objective is a simple one — to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting and, by doing that, to secure CNN’s future as one of the world’s greatest news organizations.”
“America and the world need high quality, fair-minded, trustworthy sources of news more than ever,” Thompson affirmed. “This difficult and sometimes painful process of change is the only way to make sure we can still provide it.”
In addition to the layoffs, CNN introduced a new weekday schedule that moves its political affairs program “The Situation Room” to late mornings and expands “The Lead with Jake Tapper” to two hours in the evening, with Kasie Hunt launching a new program called “The Arena” during the late afternoon time slot.
CNN says it will launch new shows in the coming weeks.
The network is also readying plans to introduce a new streaming service, which has yet to be named, as well as a “redesigned digital footprint,” CNN.com reported. CNN recently implemented a paywall that charges $4 per month for access to most original stories and video clips published on its website and apps. The subscription does not include streaming access to any of CNN’s television channels. Some CNN programs stream via WBD-owned service Max.
