CBS News is shutting down its radio news service after nearly a century, cutting a portion of its staff as part of a broader shift to a digital-first, streaming-focused model under Paramount Skydance.

A memo to employees stressed the difficulty of layoffs, pledged respectful treatment for those affected, and affirmed a commitment to investing in growth for new audiences.

The headcount impact cited by unnamed sources indicates a meaningful but not final figure, reflecting ongoing discussions about staffing reductions.

Weiss had warned staff at a January all-hands meeting that a ‘tsunami of technological change’ could necessitate workforce changes and affect staffing.

Weiss has stated that layoffs are not about individual performance but about navigating transformative times in media.

Reports indicated the layoffs were expected to start imminently, with some sources signaling an initial Friday start date.

The leadership is prioritizing immediate, on-demand news over fixed show or hour structures, reinforcing a ‘streaming mentality’ for CBS News.

The changes come during a controversial period for leader Bari Weiss, who has pushed for faster, more provocative reporting and brought in dozens of new contributors as part of a transformation plan.

Historically, the service delivered top-of-the-hour rounds and supplied material to roughly 700 U.S. stations, including famous dispatches from Edward R. Murrow in World War II.

The article notes ongoing debates about Weiss’s perceived political bias, while she argues she is not a mouthpiece for any political faction and frames the cuts as part of a broader organizational transformation.

January plans to add about 19 new contributors and reorganize for digital-first coverage underpin the current cuts as part of a broader expansion into streaming and digital platforms.

Industry implications center on how affiliates will be affected and the emphasis on training and digital-first strategies to sustain newsroom models.