Warner Bros. Discovery cuts jobs to pave digital future
"CNN expects to lay off about 200 people as part of a restructuring announced on Thursday that pivots the news organization toward a more digitally oriented future," reports the Associated Press.
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced group redundancies, which will affect several hundred employees. The changes are intended to prepare the stations for a digital future. According to the Associated Press, CNN plans to dismiss around 200 employees, representing 6 percent of its workforce.
The CEO of CNN, Mark Thompson, emphasises that the reduction of jobs in the television segment will be balanced by new hires. Plans include the introduction of subscription products. Thompson highlights that these changes are necessary due to a decline in viewership following the presidential elections in the USA.
"Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting," wrote Thompson in a note to employees.
Warner Bros. Discovery has allocated $70 (€67) million for these plans. The company is also preparing for changes in its television schedule.
In December 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery announced its division into two operational units: studios and streaming platforms, and television stations, including CNN.