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Longtime anchor Jeff Glor and three correspondents exit CBS News in cost-cutting move

BBG News

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for analyzing the dramatic arcs of real-life narratives, I find myself drawn to the latest chapter unfolding at CBS News. It’s reminiscent of a classic Hollywood drama where veteran stars are unexpectedly let go amidst a corporate restructuring.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I find myself parting ways with CBS News, one of many cherished anchors to depart alongside three esteemed colleagues, all casualties of the latest round of staff reductions orchestrated by our parent company, Paramount Global.

Since 2019, Glor has served as a co-host for “CBS Saturday Morning.” Prior to this role, he spent approximately 1.5 years anchoring the “CBS Evening News.” He took over from Norah O’Donnell in that position.

Three seasoned correspondents, such as Ben Tracy (who focused on environmental matters from LA), Anna Werner (senior investigator of consumer issues), and Roxana Saberi based in Chicago, are all leaving the news division, as reported by sources privy to these departures.

A CBS News representative declined comment.

Paramount Global announced in June that it would be reducing its workforce by 15%, or about 2,000 employees in the U.S. This week’s layoffs represent the second round of these planned job cuts, with the process now nearly complete, according to a memo sent to staff on Tuesday.

The layoffs are part of an effort to save $500 million in annual costs ahead of the company’s upcoming merger.

In the first half of next year, David Ellison’s tech company Skydance Media, together with RedBird Capital Partners and Larry Ellison (co-founder of Oracle Corp.), are expected to gain control over Paramount, pending regulatory approval for the transaction.

Prior to the merger, I, as an imaginary movie critic, witnessed the strategic move by CBS where they consolidated their network news division with their locally-owned television stations under the leadership of Wendy McMahon. This restructuring has paved the way for CBS News to collaborate more closely with its local TV affiliates, a move that is anticipated to strengthen the overall news coverage across the nation.

Since 2007, Glor has been working for CBS News. Over the years, his reports have been regularly featured on various programs covering significant stories, preparing him for the role of evening news anchor. However, this assignment was brief. During his time on “CBS Saturday Morning,” teamed up with co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, the show experienced its highest ratings against ABC and NBC since 2003.

In 2011, Werner started working for CBS News. Since then, she’s been consistently providing reports about various topics such as hospital and pharmaceutical practices, insurance matters, faulty products, online and other financial frauds, illegal dietary supplements, and the effects of artificial intelligence on consumers. This year alone, her investigative journalism has garnered several prestigious awards in broadcast journalism, including a George R. Polk Award.

Saberi worked as a foreign correspondent at the network’s London office for five years before transferring to Chicago. While covering stories abroad, she was arrested in Iran for 100 days in 2009 based on a groundless accusation of spying for the CIA.

In the year 2008, Tracy became part of CBS News. Lately, his work has been primarily centered around climate change. Notably, he’s covered news from different parts of the world and held the position of White House correspondent throughout the Trump administration.

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2024-09-25 01:31

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