Layoffs Start At CNN, HLN

Jane Velez-Mitchell

Turner Broadcasting layoffs hit CNN and HLN on Tuesday, with HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell as the first major talent casualty, multiple individuals with knowledge of the situation confirmed to TheWrap.

Mitchell's self-titled show has been canceled and her entire staff — about a dozen workers — are also out. All told, HLN lost about 15 employees Tuesday.

Among other major losses, CNN's entertainment unit — which covers red carpet events and awards shows on both coasts — is being completely disbanded. A senior entertainment producer and two entertainment producers in Los Angeles were let go. Also, Northeast bureau chief Darius Walker was cut Tuesday. Walker had been with CNN for 18 years, and an insider described his exit as a “gut-wrenching” loss.

CNN also cut Christiane Amanpour's entire four-person New York staff, an individual told TheWrap. Amanpour, the cable news channel's chief international correspondent and anchor of a nightly foreign affairs program, will still produce international news segments for CNN. She is based out of London, where she also maintains staff.

These latest layoffs follow widespread CNN cuts last Wednesday in Atlanta that took place at the CNN Center and the Turner Broadcasting Techwood Campus. In that round of job losses, most of the affected employees were believed to be from the Sales Departments at CNN and HLN, as well as some workers from TNT.

When asked to comment, a CNN spokesperson would only tell TheWrap, “The changes this week are difficult yet necessary. Out of respect for our colleagues directly impacted, we won't be commenting on specific people or programs.”