CNN and NBC News to lay off employees, CNBC reports

(Reuters) -CNN, a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery, plans to lay off hundreds of employees on Thursday as it refocuses its business around a global digital audience, CNBC reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the case.

The job cuts come as CNN seeks to revamp its linear television lineup and develop digital subscription products, CNBC said, adding that the move will help CNN reduce its production costs and consolidate its teams.

Some shows produced in New York or Washington could move to Atlanta, where production can be done more cheaply, the report added.

Comcast-owned NBC News is also planning job cuts later this week, according to the report. Although there is no exact number, the layoffs will be well below 50.

Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the report.

The Washington Post, owned by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, announced earlier this month that it would lay off about 4% of its workforce, or fewer than 100 employees, in an effort to cut costs, so that the famous newspaper is struggling with increasing losses.

In November, The Associated Press announced it would cut about 8% of its workforce to modernize its operations and products.

(Reporting by Juby Anna Babu in Mexico; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)