Warner Bros. Discovery shifts focus with digital strategy shake-up
"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, the owner of CNN and TVN, announced group layoffs, which will affect several hundred people. The changes are intended to adapt the stations to a digital future. According to the Associated Press, CNN plans to dismiss about 200 employees, which is 6 percent of the team.
The CEO of CNN, Mark Thompson, emphasizes that the reduction in television segment jobs will be offset by new hires. Plans include the introduction of subscription products. Thompson points out that the changes are necessary due to a decline in viewership after 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 million USD (100 million CAD) for these plans. The company is also preparing for changes in the television schedule.
By December 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery announced a division into two operational units: studios and streaming platforms, and television stations, including CNN.
