Skydance, the new parent company of Paramount, which includes CBS, is set to implement job cuts. These reductions will affect about 1,000 positions overall, with nearly 100 at CBS News alone.
There’s a sense that many people might need to explore platforms like Substack.
CBS Evening News Co-host John Dickerson wrapped up his tenure at the end of the year. In light of that, the “streaming versions” of CBS Morning and CBS Evening News will be discontinued, and CBS Saturday Morning is undergoing significant changes. Additionally, the network intends to close its bureau in Johannesburg.
“There’s a lot of anxiety among the staff,” one employee noted, describing the mood as “depressing and unhappy.” They referred to it as “a very tough day at the network.”
Moreover, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, co-hosts of CBS Saturday Morning, are also leaving their positions, according to an insider. Jeff Groh, a former host and anchor of CBS Evening News, was part of last year’s layoffs as Paramount Global streamlined its operations ahead of a sale. The team behind CBS Morning is now overseeing Saturday shows.
Miller and Jacobson have been co-hosting since 2018. Why the shift? Well, viewership has declined by about 10 percent this season, dropping to just 1.9 million. Even reruns of Cheers might pull in better numbers. The demographic for 25-54 year-olds saw a 20% drop, with only 346,000 tuning in.
These cuts came just as Skydance leader David Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief for CBS News. Weiss has sparked controversy, not for any offensive views, but more for her call for truthfulness in media. She identifies as a Democrat, but some might view her perspective as more radical in today’s climate.
Skydance also holds properties like Comedy Central, and one might hope to see cuts there as well due to its struggling reputation.
Skydance is eyeing an acquisition of Warner Bros. If successful, they would gain ownership of CNN, raising ideas about potential events where viewers might pay to watch significant changes unfold.
Yet, it’s likely that there won’t be drastic transformations in CBS’s news presentation. The first big test will likely be during the 2026 midterm elections, and even more so with the presidential election in 2028. Despite the challenges, I find myself feeling more hopeful than I did just a month ago. As human resources shift in their approach, the more CBS talent that departs, the greater the chance for meaningful reform.
Let’s see how this unfolds.
