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On Wednesday, CBS News conducted extensive layoffs across its news division, which were part of an overall workforce reduction initiated by its parent company, Paramount Skydance. It’s been reported that nearly 100 positions could be shed across the network, affecting both on-air and off-air roles. The Guardian’s Jeremy Barr reports that CBS News’ editor in chief, Bari Weiss, described the situation during the network’s morning editorial call as an “enormously difficult day for so many people.” However, CNN’s Brian Stelter also notes the layoffs affecting CBS News were already planned before Weiss arrived at the network. Fuller Bari Weiss on the morning call: "This is just an enormously difficult day for so many people that have given years of their lives to this company, and I'm sorry, and want to support to everyone in whatever way I can. My door is open, whether I'm sitting up here or… https://t.co/hFvTOkJtNC — Jeremy Barr (@jeremymbarr) October 29, 2025 According to the Los Angeles Times, CBS Saturday Morning’s longtime co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, as well as the show’s executive producer, Brian Applegate, were affected by the cuts. Miller and Jacobson, who have been part of the program since 2018, have led the weekend morning show in a dual-anchor format since Jeff Glor’s departure in September 2024. Also, the third hour of CBS Mornings, CBS Mornings Plus, has been canceled. Currently, there are no details on how many roles have been lost due to the program’s cancellation or what the plans are for that particular time slot. Status’ Natalie Korach reports that John Dickerson’s streaming news show, CBS News’ Evening News Plus, has been cancelled, and the team has been let go. Scoop: CBS News’ "Evening News Plus," the streaming companion show hosted by John Dickerson, has been canceled and the team was eliminated amid Paramount layoffs, I'm told. More in tonight's edition of Status. — Natalie Korach (@nataliekorach.bsky.social) October 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM The news of the show’s demise should not be a surprise, as Dickerson announced earlier this week that he would be leaving the network towards the end of the year. CBS News’ South Africa bureau is also being shut down, with its oversight of the continent being moved to the network’s London bureau. Debora Patta, who reported out of the S.A. bureau, was let go. Other on-air talent reportedly being laid off include correspondents Janet Shamlian, Nikki Battiste, Nancy Chen, and Lisa Ling. In a memo shared with employees early on Wednesday, Paramount Skydance’s CEO, David Ellison, described the cuts as “necessary” to position the company for success. He noted in the memo that positions being affected are those that are redundant as a result of the recently completed merger, as well as “phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth.” Paramount Skydance is looking to eliminate a total of 2,000 positions, with 1,000 positions impacted in this go-around and the remaining 1,000 to take place at a later date.
