CNN has embarked on a comprehensive transformation to adapt to the digital age, focusing on the growing appetite for mobile and online video. In a letter to staff, the broadcaster’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, outlined sweeping changes designed to shift CNN’s emphasis from traditional linear television towards streaming and digital-first platforms.
The plans include a new global streaming service, allowing subscribers to watch CNN content on their preferred devices. Under the leadership of Alex MacCallum, CNN’s Digital Products and Services division has already introduced a raft of innovations, from vertical video carousels to the Digital Magic Wall. Now, the company intends to develop its first lifestyle-focused digital offering, along with premium advertising features and expanded multimedia storytelling capabilities.
A $70 million investment will support these initiatives, funding around 100 new positions in addition to technology upgrades. While 6% of the workforce faces redundancy, Thompson emphasised that the company’s overall headcount would remain stable, with new roles offsetting job losses. Meanwhile, CNN’s television output will be overhauled with refreshed schedules and a streamlined production model.
In the newsroom, which underwent an extensive restructuring last year, further changes are planned. A new Video News Editorial division will coordinate visual content across all platforms, and CNN en Español will be more closely integrated into the global operation. The broadcaster is also strengthening its editorial leadership, appointing Phil Rucker as senior vice president for editorial strategy and news.
Thompson described the pivot as essential to securing CNN’s future as a trusted news organisation in a rapidly evolving media landscape. With audiences increasingly consuming news on the move, the broadcaster is betting on innovation and investment to remain relevant.
