CBS News to lay off six percent of its employees
CBS News is laying off six percent of its workforce and is closing its CBS News Radio division, which has been operational for nearly a century.
CBS News is undergoing significant changes, including a layoff of about six percent of its employees, which amounts to approximately 60-70 workers. The announcement was made by the network's editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and President Tom Cibrowski, who noted that the media business is evolving, necessitating a leaner news department to adapt to these shifts. Furthermore, CBS News Radio, a longstanding division that was established nearly a century ago by William S. Paley in 1927, will cease operations on May 22, marking the end of an era for this outlet.
The decision to shut down CBS News Radio has come as a difficult but necessary measure in the context of the current media landscape. Weiss and Cibrowski acknowledged the challenges faced in making such a decision, particularly as the radio unit collaborates with close to 700 local stations across the United States. The restructuring efforts under Weiss's leadership have already seen layoffs in October of the previous year, indicating a trend towards reduced staffing as the network works to pursue sustainability in a rapidly changing media environment.
With Weiss at the helm since 2025, CBS News has been navigating through significant transitions. Her previous exit from The New York Times in 2020 highlighted ongoing tensions within media organizations regarding editorial independence and management. As CBS News strives to respond to market demands and shifting viewership patterns, the implications of these layoffs and closures underscore the broader challenges faced by traditional media outlets in maintaining relevance amidst digital competition and changing consumer habits.