CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and President Tom Cibrowski made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing a new round of layoffs at the renowned "Tiffany network" and the closure of CBS News Radio after nearly 100 years of operation. This move is part of broader changes in the media landscape, driven by shifting audience habits and economic pressures.
Staff Reductions and Industry Trends
The layoffs are expected to impact approximately 6% of the 1,100 employees in the newsroom, as reported by multiple sources. In a note to staff, Weiss and Cibrowski stated, "Today we are reducing the size of our workforce, and employees who are affected will be notified by the end of the day." They attributed this decision to radical transformations in the news industry, emphasizing the need to adapt to new audiences and invest in growth areas to remain competitive.
Closure of CBS News Radio
In a follow-up email about an hour later, the leadership announced the closure of CBS News Radio, which was founded in 1927. They informed the team and approximately 700 affiliated stations that the service will end on May 22, 2026, resulting in the elimination of all positions within the radio division. Weiss and Cibrowski described this as a tough but necessary step, citing a shift in radio station programming strategies and challenging economic realities that made continuation impossible.
Background and Previous Layoffs
This marks the second round of layoffs at CBS News since David Ellison acquired Paramount, the parent company of CBS, last summer and hired Weiss to lead the organization. In October 2025, about 100 staffers' roles were eliminated. Weiss, who had no prior experience in broadcast TV before her hiring, has faced criticism for decisions such as postponing a "60 Minutes" piece on a notorious prison in El Salvador and naming Tony Dokoupil as anchor of "CBS Evening News," which has not boosted ratings, with the show ranking last among the three broadcast networks.
Financial Challenges and Leadership Decisions
Reports indicate that Weiss attempted to save the radio network from closure, but financial constraints proved insurmountable. The leadership's focus is now on restructuring to align with evolving media consumption patterns, though this has sparked debate about the network's direction under new management.
