Major Layoffs Hit CBS News Amid Paramount's Restructuring

bitcoin In a recent wave of layoffs, CBS News staffers have experienced a tumultuous period as they faced impending job losses. This action comes as part of a larger $2 billion cost-cutting initiative announced after Paramount's successful merger with Skydance Media. The layoffs commenced early Wednesday morning and are anticipated to impact fewer than 100 employees, although the company has refrained from disclosing an exact figure.

Describing the situation as a "bloodbath," one CBS News employee noted that the layoffs were extensive and affected multiple departments across the organization. Among the major changes, the network has shuttered its Johannesburg bureau and decided to discontinue its streaming shows, CBS Mornings Plus and CBS Evening News Plus. Additionally, alterations are on the horizon for the network's Saturday morning program, as reported by an internal source who preferred to remain unnamed.

The network's race and culture unit has also seen significant reductions in staffing. According to an employee who voiced concerns about the layoffs, the entire experience has been "nerve-racking," adding, "It seems no one is safe." Overall, Paramount plans to lay off approximately 1,000 employees in total on Wednesday, with indications that this figure could double in the long run.

Major Layoffs Hit CBS News Amid Paramount's Restructuring David Ellison, the chief executive of Paramount Skydance, communicated the extent of the layoffs in a memo distributed to all staff members on Wednesday morning. He stated, "In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization. In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth. Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success." This restructuring marks one of the most substantial rounds of layoffs CBS News has faced in recent memory.

The last notable wave of job cuts occurred in May 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when around 50 staff members were laid off under the leadership of then-CBS News president, Susan Zirinsky. According to Puck's Dylan Byers, the layoffs on Wednesday were expected to affect “nearly 100” CBS News employees.

IntrCity SmartBus Secures $30M to Transform India's Travel Landscape Notably, these layoffs were pre-planned before Bari Weiss assumed the role of editor in chief at the network, leaving her involvement in the process somewhat ambiguous. During an editorial meeting on Wednesday, Weiss described the day as an "enormously difficult day" for the network, acknowledging the emotional toll on those affected. "This is just an enormously difficult day for so many people that have given years of their lives to this company, and I’m sorry, and want to support everyone in whatever way I can," she stated, as per a recording of her remarks reviewed by The Guardian. Weiss also encouraged staff to reach out, saying her "door is open" for discussions.

In a related development, one of CBS's most seasoned and acclaimed journalists, John Dickerson, announced his departure at the end of the year, hinting at upcoming changes to the network's struggling CBS Evening News program. Furthermore, Claudia Milne, the network's head of standards, has also recently left CBS.

As CBS News navigates through this challenging period, the impact of these layoffs and restructuring efforts will likely resonate throughout the US television industry. With Paramount's ambitious plans for growth, the future remains uncertain for many employees and the overall direction of CBS News.