CNN Announces Job Cuts, New Direction As Ratings Continue To Crater

CNN made two major announcements concerning the future of the company on Wednesday as it struggles to return to its previous ratings.

First, the outlet announced that it would be cutting 100 jobs. CNN announced that it will be launching a series of free streaming channels, otherwise known as “free ad-supported streaming television” (or FAST). The move came as somewhat of a surprise, as it was widely believed that the company would again be dabbling in the world of streaming services after the disastrous CNN +.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson announced both the job cuts, as well as the new directives, in a company memo sent on Wednesday.

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“Wherever possible, we’ve closed open positions rather than target currently occupied roles. However, some of our colleagues will learn today that their jobs are being eliminated or are at risk,” Thompson wrote. “The number of colleagues potentially impacted is around a hundred out of a workforce of more than 3,500, but I don’t underestimate the impact this news is likely to have on everyone affected and want to thank them for everything they’ve done for this great news company over the years.”

Thompson had previously unveiled plans to integrate CNN’s linear and digital operations, an initiative he has referred to as “one newsroom.” In the memo, the CEO explained that the U.S. newsgathering, international newsgathering and global digital news would be consolidated into one newsroom led by Virginia Moseley.

“Domestic and international news desks will retain their domestic and international specialisms for now, but will work more closely together, and come together to share resources for big breaking stories,” Thompson wrote. “Those who previously worked as a digital news writer or editor, or news desk producer or editor, working in separate structures and performing often duplicative tasks, will join unified teams in the US and our main international hubs.”

CNN also announced that it will be creating a “TV Futures Lab,” which will develop and manage streaming and video programming for Max.

“Video will be at the heart of our future and a re-imagined video experience on every platform – from pure digital to streaming, FAST channels and more – it is essential for CNN’s future,” Thompson wrote. “Migrating our video-based onscreen talent onto our branded platforms and the wider digital news ecosystem is potentially a key differentiator for us and will also be a focus for early experimentation and development.”

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