CBS News Shuts Down Storied Radio News Service After Nearly a Century

CBS News announced Friday it will discontinue its radio news service after almost 100 years, citing economic challenges and a broader shift towards digital media consumption. The final broadcast will air on May 22nd.

A Legacy of Broadcast Journalism

The CBS News radio service, which began in September 1927, predates the entire CBS network. It played a pivotal role in the early days of broadcast journalism, providing a platform for iconic figures like Edward R. Murrow, whose wartime reports from London captivated American audiences during World War II . The service was instrumental in launching the career of William S. Paley, who built CBS into a major network .

Impact of Changing Media Landscape

Currently, CBS News Radio provides news content to approximately 700 stations nationwide, primarily through hourly news updates. However, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss explained that despite efforts to uncover a sustainable path forward, the evolving media landscape made it impossible to continue the service . The decision reflects a broader trend of media companies adapting to digital platforms and podcasting.

Workforce Reduction and Future of CBS News

The shutdown of the radio news service is part of a larger workforce reduction at CBS News, impacting approximately 6% of its staff, or more than 60 employees . This restructuring occurs as CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, prepares for a potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which could include the acquisition of CNN .

“Radio is woven into the fabric of CBS News and that’s always going to be part of our history,” Weiss stated .

Longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather lamented the closure, stating, “It’s another piece of America that is gone.”