New York, NY – CBS News was hit by a new round of layoffs today as part of Paramount Global’s efforts to reduce its workforce by 15% and achieve annual cost savings of $500 million. Among those departing from the network are special correspondent and former CBS Evening News anchor Jeff Glor, who has been with CBS since 2007. Glor was also co-host of CBS Saturday Morning before the recent staff reductions.
In addition to Glor, other notable departures include Anna Werner, senior consumer investigative correspondent, and Ben Tracy, senior national and environmental correspondent. The changes come as Paramount Global aims to adapt to the evolving media landscape and focus on accelerating streaming profitability.
Top executives at Paramount Global, including George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins, expressed their gratitude to departing employees for their contributions. They acknowledged the challenges of letting go of valued colleagues but emphasized the necessity of these actions to position Paramount for continued success.
CBS News has already undergone previous rounds of restructuring, with plans to revamp CBS Evening News following the fall election. The newscast will see Norah O’Donnell step down as anchor to become a special correspondent, while John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois take over as co-anchors. Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, will also play a role in supervising the evening newscast.
The network has been focused on integrating its national and local news operations ever since CBS News and Stations merged into one unit in 2021. The decisions to make these changes were influenced by the shifting dynamics within the media industry and the need for strategic adjustments to ensure long-term viability.
The departure of Glor and other prominent figures marks a significant transition within CBS News, reflecting broader changes taking place across the media landscape. The industry’s ongoing evolution towards digital platforms and streaming services continues to drive shifts in priorities and structures within major media companies like Paramount Global.
As CBS News navigates these changes and adapts to new demands in the media market, it remains committed to delivering high-quality journalism and engaging content to its audience. The departures of Glor, Werner, Tracy, and others signal a period of transformation and renewal for the network, as it positions itself for a future driven by innovation and audience engagement.