CNN laid off 40 journalists — many in senior positions — late last year as part of a reorganization, the Financial Times reported Thursday.
A CNN spokeswoman did not dispute the FT story, simply saying it was “old news” and noting that the website TVNewser had mentioned the changes in early November. The TVNewser story did not specify how many people were leaving.
The spokeswoman didn’t say how many of the cuts were made in Atlanta, where about half of CNN’s employees are based.
CNN told the FT it plans to add 100 people to its overall head count of about 4,000 employees this year, though the company didn’t say how many would be in the newsroom.
Jeff Zucker, president of CNN for a year, has made some other changes, including the return of “Crossfire,” the addition of a new morning show, and greater use of documentaries created by outside companies. The network has been airing more entertainment-related specials recently, including an hour about Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey before their hosting gig on the Golden Globes earlier this month.
Zucker has said recently that more changes are coming, especially during prime time. He also is seeking more programming like the Emmy-winning “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” which was created under his predecessor, Jim Walton.
CNN’s ratings have improved at times, but a fallow period in the news recently has led to weaker ratings, including a 20-year low in prime-time ratings earlier this month.
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