NEED TO KNOW
Lisa Ling is exiting her role as a contributor at CBS amid the latest wave of layoffs
She shared the news in a social media post on Oct. 30, teasing a new project she will be announcing in the near future
On Oct. 29, CBS’ parent company Paramount laid off 1,000 employees, reportedly including CBS Saturday Morning co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, along with Debora Patta, Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen and Nikki Battiste
Lisa Ling is speaking out after being laid off by CBS.
The journalist, 52, shared the news in an Instagram video posted on Thursday, Oct. 30. She is one of several CBS correspondents and contributors let go from the network amid major shakeups announced earlier this week.
“So yesterday, I got a call from CBS that I was among the massive layoffs at the network,” Ling said. “Now this didn’t entirely surprise me, because I wasn’t a full-time employee, but rather a contributor, and we’re easy to cut. My heart, though, goes out to all of those who had been working at the network for many, many years.”
“I worked with some wonderful people at CBS, and I was so proud of the multi-part series I was able to do on caregiving, psychedelic healing and the state of spirituality, among so many other segments, things so relevant to so many of us now,” she continued. “All of the series had this thread of healing running through them, and I wanted to let you know that I am developing a platform that will go into even greater depth on a whole range of issues related to intergenerational strength and healing. I’ll be announcing it in the coming months.”
Ling, who joined CBS as a contributor in 2023, concluded, “I truly, truly hope that you’ll join me in getting stronger here, here and here,” pointing to her bicep, head and heart. “Thank you so much.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Paramount laid off 1,000 employees, including CBS Saturday Morning co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson — per The Los Angeles Times. Debora Patta, Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen and Nikki Battiste were also laid off, per the outlet.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Marla Aufmuth/Getty for Massachusetts Conference for Women
Gayle King
While sources at Variety reported on Thursday, Oct. 30, that Gayle King was leaving her post as the anchor of CBS Mornings when her contract is set to expire in May 2026 — claiming King may be stepping into a “different role” in the news division and could “potentially produce her own programming” for CBS — the network denied aspects of that report.
“There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” a CBS News spokesperson said in a statement shared with PEOPLE that same day. “She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
Related: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
The influx in layoffs follows Skydance Media’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount in August, as CBS is one of the media company’s subsidiaries. NPR previously reported that Skydance owner David Ellison and the company have expressed interest in shifting CBS News to produce apolitical content.
Earlier this year, CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which will end in May 2026. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson announced he is leaving the network after 16 years.
Read the original article on People