CNN Chief Mark Thompson Announces Major Overhaul, Including Job Cuts
Mark Thompson, the CEO of CNN, has announced significant changes to the news network, including the elimination of 100 jobs. Appointed last year to modernize CNN, Thompson detailed his plans to build a billion-dollar digital business, experiment with artificial intelligence, and restructure the newsroom.
In a memo to staff, Thompson described these measures as a “key milestone in the transformation of CNN.” The layoffs, which affect about three per cent of the workforce, will come with severance packages.
Thompson has been clear about the challenges facing CNN, emphasizing the need for swift and dramatic action to shift the television-focused news organization towards a digital future. He highlighted the declining cable news industry and the importance of developing a digital subscription business.
Thompson’s strategy includes creating new digital products that provide news, analysis, and context in innovative formats. He aims to launch the first of these products by the end of 2024. He also plans to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance CNN’s news delivery and regain a leadership position in the industry.
Additionally, Thompson will overhaul CNN’s newsroom structure, unifying the U.S. television, international television, and digital divisions. This restructuring aims to streamline workflows and improve editorial direction. CNN’s Hong Kong bureau will have an expanded role, and the organization will make greater use of its bureaus in London and Los Angeles.
Thompson also announced plans to enhance CNN’s television programming. Charlie Moore, recently promoted to vice president of prime time programming, will work on developing and strengthening the network’s TV offerings. A “TV Futures Lab” will be created to innovate streaming and on-demand programming for the Max platform and explore new digital environments for news delivery.
These changes follow years of strategic shifts and leadership changes at CNN. Thompson’s appointment last summer came after a tumultuous period for the network, and his latest announcements indicate a more concrete plan for CNN’s future. Whether he can successfully create a billion-dollar digital news business remains to be seen, but his vision marks a significant step forward for the network.