CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews has announced her resignation after less than a year in the position, amid ongoing changes in the media industry. Ciprian-Matthews will serve as an adviser until the presidential election before leaving CBS News, having taken on the role of president last August. The decision follows Paramount Global’s sale of the company to entertainment firm Skydance, which is expected to lead to job cuts at CBS.
In a memo to staff, Ciprian-Matthews hinted at the forthcoming transformations within the industry, acknowledging the need for both short- and long-term decisions. The role of broadcast network news president, once considered highly influential in journalism, is now shifting to a more subordinate position under corporate management. At CBS, Ciprian-Matthews reported to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations.
CNN has revealed plans to introduce its first digital subscription offerings by the year’s end, marking a strategic shift for the news network. The announcement of around 100 job cuts, from a workforce of approximately 3,500, was made by CNN CEO Mark Thompson in a staff memo. Thompson mentioned that existing positions were closed wherever feasible to minimize overall layoffs.
Facing challenges in audience growth and revenue, media organizations like CNN are diversifying their offerings to consumers. Thompson affirmed CNN’s commitment to a robust digital strategy that will support the network’s journalistic integrity and commercial viability. The focus will be on creating subscription-ready products with news, analysis, and context in innovative formats to engage users on the CNN.com website and encourage return visits.
CNN’s digital content strategy will shift towards more video content, reflecting the network’s expertise in video production and reporting talent. Additionally, CNN aims to produce more practical “news you can use” content, including information on lifestyles and features. These offerings will present various monetization opportunities such as sponsorships, new advertising models, and direct-to-consumer subscriptions.
In a bid to enhance user experience and engagement, CNN will expand its use of artificial intelligence technology to cater to audience preferences securely. Thompson, who assumed the role of CNN head in October, succeeded Chris Licht and brings a wealth of experience from leading organizations like the BBC and The New York Times. Thompson has been recognized for his role in the digital transformation of the Times, emphasizing a shift towards subscriber-based revenue over traditional advertising models. In January, Thompson outlined a strategy for modernizing the CNN.com website to align with evolving digital trends.
