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Another longtime CNN host and correspondent, Ana Cabrera, has announced that she is the latest notable figure to be departing the troubled network, which continues to struggle for viewers and is currently undergoing major personnel and content changes.
“Since news broke of her pending departure earlier this month, sources have said that she is eyeing a role at NBCUniversal. The network has declined to comment and Cabrera’s reps did not return requests for comment. Her exit is said to be unrelated to the recent layoffs at the network,” Deadline reported. “Cabrera anchors CNN Newsroom weekdays at 1 PM ET. She wrote on Twitter that her final show will be on Dec. 22.”
The departing host also issued a statement.
“My heart is full of gratitude for the incredible opportunities I’ve had at CNN to serve our viewers and to work alongside extraordinary journalists. CNN has been like a family. I love my colleagues and believe in the mission of the organization.” she said.
“But after nearly a decade at CNN, I’m making the personal decision to explore a new professional chapter. Time to embrace new challenges and opportunities,” Cabrera continued. “I’m firmly committed to my work as a journalist in the next stage of my career. But for now, I look forward to hitting pause and spending some extra time with my family.”
Ana Cabrera Confirms That She’s Leaving CNN — Update https://t.co/99xL7vml9o
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) December 15, 2022
Early this month, CNN employees received a brutal dose of reality, which came at a horrific time of the year.
According to reports, CNN boss Chris Licht announced that mass layoffs are in store over the next several weeks as the struggling network continues to realign its programming and talent line-up, noting in his email that it will be a difficult time for everyone.”
“Our people are the heart and soul of this organization,” Licht wrote. “It is incredibly hard to say goodbye to any one member of the CNN team, much less many. I recently described this process as a gut punch, because I know that is how it feels for all of us.”
“If your job has been impacted, you will learn more through an in-person meeting or via Zoom, depending on your location. In those meetings, you will receive information specific to you about notice period or any severance that would apply, and your anticipated last day,” Licht added. “I want to be clear that everyone who is bonus eligible will still receive their 2022 bonuses, which are determined by company performance.”
CNN BLOODBATH: Network fires Chris Cillizza and correspondents Alison Kosik, Alex Field, host Martin Savidge and Robin Meade in ruthless round of layoffshttps://t.co/AmonXfe26t
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 2, 2022
Oliver Darcy, a senior CNN contributor, published Licht’s memo on Twitter.
“CNN boss Chris Licht informs employees in an all-staff note that layoffs are underway. Licht says those being notified today are largely paid contributors and then tomorrow CNN ‘will notify impacted employees.’ Licht will then provide an update to staff afterward,” Darcy tweeted.
CNN boss Chris Licht informs employees in an all-staff note that layoffs are underway.
Licht says those being notified today are largely paid contributors and then tomorrow CNN "will notify impacted employees."
Licht will then provide an update to staff afterward. pic.twitter.com/nD0pt9Ruwj
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) November 30, 2022
In another tweet, Darcy noted: “Hundreds of CNN staffers are expected to be impacted by the layoffs in what will mark the deepest cuts to the news network in years. Here’s my full story.”
Darcy wrote:
Employees at the company had been anxiously bracing for the layoffs since Licht informed them last month that “unsettling” changes lie ahead.
Licht said that on Wednesday the company would notify a “limited number of individuals,” largely paid contributors, that they have been let go. He said the company “will notify impacted employees” on Thursday. Licht said at the conclusion of the cuts he will “follow up with more details.”
CNN declined to say on Wednesday how many employees precisely would be impacted by the layoffs.
The layoffs come as media companies are being battered by brutal economic headwinds that have taken a bat to the advertising sector. Licht noted in October, when he signaled large cuts were coming, that there is “widespread concern over the global economic outlook” and that CNN “must factor that risk into [its] long-term planning.”
Darcy noted that other media and tech conglomerates have recently experienced an uptick in layoffs as well. These include Disney, Facebook, and AMC Networks, he reported, adding that CNN still posts profits “in the hundreds of millions of dollars” annually.
