CBS News laid off approximately 6% of its workforce, affecting around 60 to 66 employees out of roughly 1,100 staff members, and announced the shutdown of its storied CBS News Radio division. The layoffs were revealed in memos from Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and President Tom Cibrowski sent to staff Friday morning, with affected employees notified by the end of the day.

"Today we are reducing the size of our workforce, and employees who are affected will be notified by the end of the day," Weiss and Cibrowski wrote in one memo. They described the decisions as "very hard choices and today is a difficult day, emphasizing the need to adapt to a radically changing news business. "New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them. That means some parts of our newsroom must get smaller to make room for the things we must build to remain competitive."

The memos acknowledged the contributions of departing staff, stating, "We recognize that this is a difficult time for those who will be leaving CBS News. Because these aren’t just names on a list. They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success. We’ll treat them all with care and respect."

CBS News Radio, which has operated since 1927 and provided programming to about 700 affiliated stations, will cease operations on May 22, 2026, with all positions in the unit eliminated. The division delivered landmark coverage, including Edward R. Murrow’s World War II broadcasts from London and the longest-running newscast in the country, "World News Roundup." Executives cited "a shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities," as making continuation impossible, while providing advance notice to affiliates.

Weiss joined CBS News last October after Paramount, under new owner Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, acquired her outlet, The Free Press, and installed her as editor-in-chief with a mandate to revitalize the division. She has focused on boosting ratings for morning and evening shows, investing in digital products, and diversifying viewpoints to attract new audiences amid a shift to streaming and podcasts. This marks the second round of layoffs since the Skydance takeover last summer, following cuts in October 2025 that included programming changes.

The moves come as traditional media grapples with declining linear TV viewership and radio listenership, prompting reallocations toward digital platforms to compete with rivals like ABC and NBC. CBS News faces additional uncertainty with ongoing union negotiations and potential future consolidation, though current cuts stem directly from internal restructuring efforts.