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Longtime CNN anchor Ana Cabrera announced that she is leaving the network, saying in a statement that “after nearly a decade at CNN, I’m making the personal decision to explore a new professional chapter. Time to embrace new challenges and opportunities.”
“My heart is full of gratitude for the incredible opportunities I’ve had at CNN to serve our viewers and to work alongside extraordinary journalists. CNN has been like a family. I love my colleagues and believe in the mission of the organization. But after nearly a decade at CNN, I’m making the personal decision to explore a new professional chapter. Time to embrace new challenges and opportunities. I’m firmly committed to my work as a journalist in the next stage of my career. But for now, I look forward to hitting pause and spending some extra time with my family,” Cabrera said in a statement.
“Since news broke of her pending departure earlier this month, sources have said that she is eyeing a role at NBCUniversal. The network has declined to comment and Cabrera’s reps did not return requests for comment. Her exit is said to be unrelated to the recent layoffs at the network. Cabrera anchors CNN Newsroom on weekdays at 1 PM ET. She wrote on Twitter that her final show will be on Dec. 22,” Deadline reported.
“Her anticipated exit was not part of the significant layoffs that CNN announced this week, according to a source. Cabrera joined CNN in 2013, based in Denver, before anchoring CNN Newsroom. She previously was an anchor for WGMH-TV, the ABC affiliate in Denver, and was an anchor and reporter at NBC and Fox affiliates in Spokane, WA. NBC News recently signed other CNN staffers, including Laura Jarrett, who will cover the Justice Department and Supreme Court starting in January, and Ryan Nobles, who moved in October and covers Capitol Hill. David Gelles also was named the new executive producer of Meet the Press in August and talent executive Rebecca Kutler joined MSNBC in September. Puck News first reported on Cabrera’s planned move,” the outlet added.
Ana Cabrera Confirms That She’s Leaving CNN — Update https://t.co/99xL7vml9o
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) December 15, 2022
The new ownership at CNN unleashed a bloodbath on staff as it dropped the ax and some prominent talent and promised that there is more to come. It came a day after CNN chief Chris Licht informed employees at the network that layoffs were coming, and this round was headed by politics reporter and editor-at-large Chris Cillizza, the Daily Beast reported.
CNN also parted ways with correspondents Alison Kosik, Alexandra Field, and Martin Savidge, as well as Mary Anne Fox, the VP of northeast news. Furthermore, CNN will end all live programming on sister network HLN, resulting in the cancellation of the long-running morning program Morning Express. The show’s anchor, Robin Meade, who has been with the network since 2001, and other HLN hosts will lose their jobs.
Additionally, the network has also parted ways with several paid on-air contributors, reportedly including New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser and Politico reporter Jonathan Martin.
“Beginning December 6, CNN will no longer produce live programming for HLN and instead will simulcast CNN This Morning. HLN Crime programming will move under the WBD Networks led by Kathleen Finch and will be merged with ID,” the CEO said. “I want to take a moment to thank Robin Meade— she is not only an exceptionally popular anchor, but also one of the longest-running morning hosts in history. I know the HLN audience will miss her and the other HLN talent.”
He also said that CNN would be “shifting our approach to paid contributors,” and that “programming teams will see some reductions in show staffs and, in some cases, the combination of teams for our dayside and weekend lineups.”
“To our departing colleagues, I want to express my gratitude for your dedicated and tireless service and for your many contributions to CNN,” he said. “To all employees, I want to underscore the importance of taking the time you need to best be able to move forward.”
CNN BLOODBATH: Network fires Chris Cillizza and correspondents Alison Kosik, Alex Field, host Martin Savidge and Robin Meade in ruthless round of layoffshttps://t.co/AmonXfe26t
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 2, 2022
In the memo to staff, the CEO said more layoffs would be coming.
An October report from former Mediaite managing editor Jim Nicosia said that the network has decided he no longer fits with the new direction of the company.
“SCOOP: Another “big name” about to exit @CNN. (Stay tuned),” he said at the start of the week.
“Discovery Executive: ‘He does not have a place in the new CNN. He reminds us of the Zucker period we are looking to move far from. The only reason he is still on air was not to look like we were ‘cleaning house’ for political reasons right after the closing,’” he said. “I agreed not to report the name until the end of the week.”
Discovery Executive: "He does not have a place in the new CNN. He reminds us of the Zucker period we are looking to move far from. The only reason he is still on air was not to look like we were 'cleaning house' for political reasons right after the closing"
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) October 11, 2022
The person this Discovery exec was talking about is Jim Acosta. CNN (like they did when I reported about Stelter being let go) will be to defend the person. That’s what network PR people do. Keep in mind many of the recent people let go had big support within the network /more
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) October 14, 2022
One important thing that this executive wanted to stress is they are nowhere near done, and Acosta won’t be the last of the “old guard” to go, but this “takes time” and “they’re getting an incredible amount of internal push back from people who want to stay a resistance network”
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) October 14, 2022
