CNN has announced plans to lay off around 200 employees, approximately 6% of its workforce, as the news organization pivots toward a more digitally focused business model.
CEO Mark Thompson revealed that the job cuts will primarily affect the network’s television division. However, he emphasized that these layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at boosting digital operations, which is expected to eventually create new job opportunities.
“Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting,” Thompson stated in a memo to staff.
Thompson, who took over as CEO more than a year ago, has been advocating for this transformation as the network struggles with declining ratings, particularly in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s election. To support the transition, corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery has committed $70 million to fund the new digital initiatives.
The revamped strategy aims to develop subscription-based digital products that will allow users to stream news programming on any device, positioning CNN to better compete in an increasingly digital media landscape.
