Layoffs have begun at Paramount Skydance, with more than 100 CBS News employees seeing their positions eliminated. Names and programs cut are starting to trickle out, with Dana Jacobson and Michelle Miller seeing their jobs slashed.
CBS Saturday Mornings is being gutted, with Jacobson and Michelle Miller exiting, as is Executive Producer Brian Applegate.
Additionally, the network is cancelling its streaming-only shows that follow CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News on the CBS News 24/7 streaming platform. Adriana Diaz and Tony Dokoupil anchored CBS Mornings Plus — which aired from 9-10 AM ET, while John Dickerson helmed the CBS Evening News Plus program, which directly followed the nightly newscast.
Furthermore, the network is closing its Johannesburg bureau in a cost-cutting measure.
The cuts come just over two months after the merger of Paramount and Skydance was officially closed, receiving government approval for the move. The merger was part of an $8.4 billion deal between the two organizations.
In a memo to staffers this morning, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison shared that the company was “addressing redundancies” that resulted from the merger between Paramount and Skydance. He also added that the company was “phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities.”
Furthermore, Ellison shared that the cuts were “necessary” and ” designed to strengthen our focus on growth” for the new company’s “long-term success.”
As part of the eliminations, Paramount Skydance hopes to cut $2 billion from its annual operating budget.
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