【Epoch Times News, January 24, 2025】CNN’s CEO, Mark Thompson, announced plans to lay off approximately 200 employees, accounting for about 6% of the total workforce.
This move is part of CNN’s accelerated launch of streaming media services and transition to digital television.
In a memo to employees on Thursday, January 23, Thompson wrote, “The ways in which audiences in the United States and around the world consume news have changed, and this change is profound and irreversible. The decision we are announcing today is a continued response by this outstanding news organization to adapt to this change.”
Due to a decline in cable television subscribers and increasing distrust in traditional media, the business environment for cable TV has been on a downward trend over the years. Over a three-month period ending in December last year, CNN’s prime-time average viewership was 578,000, a decrease of nearly 75% from the peak in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The success of CNN’s recovery depends on the success of its digital expansion. In October last year, the network introduced a subscription product that allows users to pay $3.99 per month for unlimited access to CNN.com and set up a paywall for subscriptions after readers access a certain number of free articles.
In addition to the layoffs, CNN will also be restructuring its cable TV program lineup, launching digital subscription products, and integrating teams to reduce production costs.
Currently, the American news media is facing a major upheaval. It is expected that NBC News, owned by Comcast, will also announce layoffs later this week, with an expected number of fewer than 50 employees. This reflects the current challenges faced by traditional news media.
Furthermore, The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, announced a 4% workforce reduction earlier this month, not exceeding 100 employees. The Associated Press announced in November last year plans to lay off 8% of its workforce to optimize operational efficiency for more advanced product strategies.
(This article references reporting from The Wall Street Journal.)