US media outlet Cable News Network (CNN) will lay off about 100 workers, equivalent to 3% of its workforce of 3,500, as part of a plan to merge digital news gathering teams with their pay TV counterparts.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson explained in a statement to employees that a digital subscription service will be launched before the end of 2024, as well as two new free but advertising-supported online channels called CNN Originals and Cnn in Spanish.
CNN’s plans include a “strategic push” towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the aim of providing better service and better journalism, according to the issued note. The network also aims to create more “useful news” with sponsored lifestyle reports.
“We are building a pioneering digital company of more than one billion dollars [923.9 million euros],” said Thompson. “We will develop new digital products with a special focus on experiences that are worth paying for,” he elaborated.
