Paramount Layoffs Impact ‘CBS Saturday Morning’ Co-Hosts Miller and Jacobson

Paramount’s recent layoffs have significantly impacted the team behind “CBS Saturday Morning,” including co-hosts Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson. The layoffs are part of a larger strategy involving nearly 100 job cuts within the news division.

Changes to CBS Saturday Morning Format

As part of the restructuring, “CBS Saturday Morning” will undergo a new format that will align more closely with the weekday show “CBS Mornings.” Brian Applegate, the executive producer of the Saturday edition, is also leaving the program. This shift aims to enhance the show’s cohesiveness with its weekday counterpart.

CBS Program Cancelations

In addition to these layoffs, Paramount has discontinued several programs:

• “CBS Mornings Plus,” an extension of the weekday show, was canceled.
• “CBS Evening News Plus,” hosted by John Dickerson, is also being shut down.

On Monday, Dickerson announced his departure from CBS, further highlighting the significant changes within the network.

Other Notable Layoffs

The layoffs extended beyond the co-hosts, affecting several correspondents, including:

• Debora Patta, known for her coverage of the Gaza war.
• Janet Shamlian
• Nancy Chen
• Nikki Battiste
• Lisa Ling, a recent contributor.

Additionally, the news division has dismantled its race and culture unit, originally formed in response to the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. Some unit employees will transition to other areas within the company.

Context of the Cuts

These layoffs are part of a broader initiative by new owner Skydance Media to reduce costs by $2 billion across Paramount, which will see further cuts later this year. The company’s overall reduction includes about 1,000 jobs across its divisions.

A Look at Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson

Michelle Miller, 52, is a seasoned correspondent with CBS, having contributed segments to “CBS Sunday Morning” and “48 Hours.” Born in Los Angeles, she is the daughter of Dr. Ross Miller and has a background in journalism from the Los Angeles Times in the early 1990s. Miller’s work has focused on critical social issues.

Dana Jacobson, also 52, joined CBS News in 2015, following a decade at ESPN. She co-hosted “CBS Saturday Morning” with Miller since 2018, when the show was still known as “CBS This Morning Saturday.”

The announcements of these changes signal a pivotal moment for CBS, as the network adapts to the evolving media landscape and seeks to maintain its viewership amid financial pressures.