CBS News Ends Broadcasts: A Media Era Closes
CBS News will discontinue its radio news service on May 22, ending a nearly century-long tradition that began in September 1927 and once provided the foundation for the entire CBS network. The decision, announced Friday, impacts an estimated 700 stations currently receiving CBS News Radio content and comes amid broader restructuring at the network and its parent company, Paramount Global.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss informed staff of the shutdown, attributing it to economic challenges and a shift toward digital platforms and podcasts. “Radio is woven into the fabric of CBS News and that’s always going to be part of our history,” Weiss said, adding that “we did everything we could” to find a sustainable path forward. The move follows earlier cuts to radio programming late last year, including the elimination of “Weekend Roundup” and “World News Roundup Late Edition,” signaling a gradual scaling back of the service.
The closure marks the end of an era for CBS News Radio, which played a pivotal role in delivering breaking news and in-depth reporting to a national audience for generations. In 1938, the service broadcast the news of Germany’s invasion of Austria, a moment that also marked the first time Edward R. Murrow was heard on the air for CBS. During World War II, Murrow’s live reports from London, transmitted via rooftop broadcasts during the Nazi bombing raids, captivated American listeners and established his reputation as a leading war correspondent. He later became a prominent figure in American journalism, known for his series of television reports that contributed to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s.
The shutdown is occurring as Paramount Global is poised to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that is expected to further reshape the media landscape. CBS News is also reducing its overall workforce by approximately 6%, affecting more than 60 employees. The precise number of job losses directly attributable to the radio service’s closure remains unclear.
Edward R. Murrow, who rose to prominence through his function with CBS News Radio and later television, is remembered by fellow journalists like Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, Bill Downs, Dan Rather, and Alexander Kendrick as one of journalism’s most significant figures. His signature sign-off, “Good night, and good luck,” became synonymous with his wartime broadcasts and remains a recognizable phrase in broadcasting history.
As of Saturday, CBS News had not released a detailed plan for the disposition of its radio assets or the future of its remaining radio staff. Paramount Global has not commented on the potential impact of the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition on the CBS News Radio shutdown.