CBS News announced on Friday that it will lay off approximately 6% of its workforce, impacting dozens of staffers across the newsroom, as confirmed by Fox News Digital [1]. The layoffs include the dissolution of CBS News Radio, which will cease operations on May 22, 2026, after nearly a century of service. All positions within the CBS News Radio team are being eliminated, and affected staffers will be notified by the end of the workday [1].
This move follows a series of workforce reductions at CBS News and its parent company, Paramount. Last fall, Paramount implemented mass layoffs, cutting around 1,000 jobs, including at CBS News. Earlier this year, CBS News offered a buyout program targeting "CBS Evening News" staffers, with roughly 11 employees accepting the offer [1].
The layoffs come amid significant changes at CBS News since David Ellison became the new owner of Paramount. Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief, a decision that sparked controversy among some staff and critics. Weiss has overseen several departures, including high-profile figures such as Anderson Cooper and Scott MacFarlane, as well as multiple producers. Some departing staffers have accused Weiss of pushing an ideological direction [1].
Despite the turbulence, Weiss has retained key talent like Gayle King, who recently signed a new deal to remain at CBS News, and has made new hires, including ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman and several new contributors. Weiss's most notable move has been appointing Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor for "CBS Evening News," aiming to revitalize the third-place newscast [1].
CONCLUSION
CBS News is undergoing a significant restructuring, marked by layoffs and the closure of CBS News Radio, as part of broader efforts to adapt to changing industry dynamics. The moves reflect ongoing challenges and strategic shifts under new leadership, with both talent retention and new hires signaling attempts to stabilize and reposition the network. The market impact is medium, with sentiment skewing negative due to job losses and operational changes.