CNN chief’s memo warns of imminent cuts to staff and budgets

The pain at Warner Bros Discovery looks set to continue with CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht warning staffers that there is soon to be “noticeable change” to the global news network that will impact employees, budgets and projects.

Chris Licht

In a staff memo that has since been circulated among the media, Licht said: “There is widespread concern over the global economic outlook, and we must factor that risk into our planning. All this will mean noticeable change. That, by definition, is unsettling. These changes will not be easy because they will affect people, budgets and projects.”

Licht, whose moves to date include the closure of CNN’s streaming service CNN+, said: “We have already begun working toward CNN’s future, implementing a strategy that puts our journalism first and grows our digital stronghold. There is a lot more to be done. Over the next several weeks that work will accelerate. We will be strategic in this process and will minimise the impact on our core newsgathering operation and Digital, both of which have already executed smart changes.”

In a conclusion that won’t provide much comfort to staff who are let go, he said: “I will not allow these changes to affect our position as the world’s leading news source, and we will continue to invest in growth areas. When we conclude this process, CNN will still be the largest, most-respected newsgathering organisation in the world.”