Lisa Ling speaks out following her exit from CBS

Lisa Ling Reacts to CBS Layoffs

Veteran journalist Lisa Ling expressed that she wasn’t surprised to find out she was among the many staff members let go during recent layoffs at CBS News, ordered by the network’s new management.

The 52-year-old’s dismissal was confirmed via a video she posted on Instagram. This came a day after CBS’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, cut around 1,000 jobs across various divisions as part of cost-saving measures following an $8 billion merger completed in August.

“So yesterday, I got a call from CBS saying I was one of the major layoffs at the station,” Ling shared in her video.

“Honestly, I wasn’t surprised at all because I wasn’t a full-time employee, just a contributor. It’s always easier for us to be let go. But my heart goes out to everyone who has given so much to the network over the years.”

Ling’s departure coincided with the firings of other high-profile staff, including “CBS Saturday Morning” co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, among others. In total, around 100 employees were affected by these layoffs.

Additionally, Gayle King, a prominent co-anchor of “CBS Morning,” may also leave next year. She mentioned that she had not been informed about any changes regarding the show after her contract expires in May.

The layoffs followed a significant overhaul led by new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Szybrowski. Insiders revealed that the restructuring included cuts in the race and culture department, the closure of the Johannesburg bureau, and the cancellation of two streaming shows.

In her Instagram message, Ling reflected on her relatively short stint at CBS, praising her colleagues who also experienced job losses. “I was fortunate to work with some incredible people at CBS, and I’m proud of the multi-part series I produced, touching on topics like nursing care and the state of spirituality,” she noted.

She added, “There’s been a consistent theme of healing throughout our projects, and we’re working on a platform that will explore intergenerational strength and healing further.”

Ling joined CBS in 2023 after spending nine years at CNN, where she hosted “This Life with Lisa Ling.” Her previous experience includes being a correspondent for ABC’s “Nightline” and co-hosting “The View” from 1999 to 2002.

This incident adds to a larger shakeup at CBS, where other notable figures, such as anchor John Dickerson, have announced their exits, and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is set to conclude in 2026.

Reports earlier this week indicated that “CBS Saturday Morning,” which has aired for 28 years, will undergo a significant transformation under the new leadership. Sources also mentioned that the show was viewed as “too expensive.”

Executives have additionally canceled CBS Mornings Plus, a weekday streaming program co-hosted by Adriana Diaz and Tony Dokoupil.

In a last-minute decision, veteran correspondent Deborah Pata was added to the redundancy list after her colleague Chris Livesay advocated for her position.