CBS To Shutter Radio News Division

(1927-2026)

UPDATE 10:30 AM Friday:   CBS News will shut down its CBS News Radio division and lay off about 6% of its workforce, network leaders Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski announced Friday.

The nearly century-old radio service, which distributes news to roughly 700 affiliate stations, will cease operations on May 22. All positions tied to CBS News Radio will be eliminated as part of the restructuring.

📻LAST BROADCAST:  May 22, 2026

Staff members were informed of the decision Friday, the same day the company began implementing its latest round of layoffs. Affected employees are expected to be notified by the end of the day.

In a memo to staff, Weiss and Cibrowski acknowledged the impact of the cuts, writing that the decision was “necessary” but “not an easy one,” and emphasizing the contributions of employees who helped cover major global events over the years.

Bari Weiss

The layoffs are smaller than some had anticipated. Earlier reports suggested the network could cut up to 15% of its approximately 1,100-person workforce. The company had already reduced staff by about 100 employees in October, and concerns about additional cuts had circulated internally ahead of Friday’s announcement.

Executives said the move reflects broader shifts across the media landscape, including audience fragmentation, the rise of streaming platforms, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on search and content distribution.

“New audiences are burgeoning in new places,” Weiss and Cibrowski wrote, adding that the company plans to invest in emerging platforms. “That means some parts of our newsroom must get smaller to make room for the things we must build to remain competitive.”

The Staff Memo From Bari Weiss