CBS has recently announced a significant reduction in its workforce, including the firing of several prominent on-air personalities. Among those affected is Elaine Quijano, the anchor of CBS Morning Show and the weekend morning anchor for CBS in New York. This move is part of a broader decision to cut 6% of the network’s staff, which affects around 60 to 70 employees.
On March 20, CBS shared the news of its restructuring efforts, which also include the shutdown of CBS Radio, a network that has been on air for over 100 years.
Elaine Quijano’s Departure from CBS
Elaine Quijano, who is Filipino-American, is reportedly among the many employees let go by CBS. She was known for covering breaking news and politics and had made history in 2016 as the first Asian-American to moderate a general election debate when she hosted the Vice Presidential debate. She had also contributed to CBS’s digital network, CBSN.
Other High-Profile Departures
In addition to Quijano, several other CBS anchors and correspondents have been let go, including:
- Omar Villafranca, Dallas-based correspondent
- Nidia Cavazos, Los Angeles-based correspondent
- Andres Gutierrez, Las Vegas-based correspondent
- Dave Malkoff, national correspondent
- Karen Hua, national reporter based in Houston
The network also let go five staff members from its Washington, D.C. bureau, including political reporter Hunter Woodall and Nick Kurtz.
CBS’s Restructuring Plans
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski addressed the cuts, stating that the company is undergoing a restructuring to adapt to the changing news landscape.
They highlighted the growing demand for news from new audiences and the need for CBS to adjust its strategies. They also assured that employees affected by the layoffs would be treated with care and respect during this difficult time.
“Today we are reducing the size of our workforce, and employees who are affected will be notified by the end of the day,” said Weiss and Cibrowski. “These aren’t just names on a list. They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success.”
The layoffs are part of CBS’s broader effort to streamline its operations and build for the future.
