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CBS News Radio is ending operations after 99 years of broadcasting, silencing a historic network that launched the career of Edward R. Murrow. The shutdown affects approximately 700 affiliate stations across the country, ending May 22, 2026. This represents the end of an era for American radio journalism.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Shutdown Date: May 22, 2026 – marking the end of service to 700 stations
- Service Years: Founded in September 1927, lasting nearly 100 years of continuous operation
- Jobs Eliminated: All positions within CBS News Radio team are being eliminated as part of 6% workforce reduction
- Reason: Shift in radio programming strategies and challenging economic conditions affecting the industry
A Century of Radio History Ends
CBS News Radio traces its origins back to the founding of CBS itself in 1927. The network gave William S. Paley his start in broadcasting and became the platform for legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow, who delivered groundbreaking reports from London during World War II. The service evolved to serve hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
Known best for its hourly news roundups and the flagship “World News Roundup” broadcast, CBS News Radio became the longest-running newscast in American radio history. The network was instrumental in shaping how Americans consumed breaking news for nearly a century.
CBS News Radio ends service after 99 years, 700 stations affected by May 22 shutdown
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Economic Pressures and Strategic Shifts
CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski announced the closure in a memo to staff on March 20, 2026. The decision came as part of broader restructuring at the network that includes cutting approximately 6% of the entire news division workforce. Leadership cited changing radio market conditions as the primary reason.
The memo stated that the shift in radio station programming strategies, combined with ongoing economic challenges, made continuing the service impossible. Audacy’s Infinity Networks previously took over distribution of CBS News Radio content in October 2025, but that partnership ultimately could not sustain the operation.
Impact on 700 Radio Stations and Local News
700 affiliated radio stations across the United States relied on CBS News Radio for content, programming, and breaking news coverage. These stations will lose access to the network’s news service on May 22, forcing them to find alternative news sources or restructure their programming. The closure eliminates all positions within the CBS News Radio team, affecting approximately 60 to 70 employees.
| Aspect | Details |
| Shutdown Date | May 22, 2026 |
| Stations Affected | Approximately 700 affiliates |
| Years in Operation | 1927 to 2026 (99 years) |
| Jobs Eliminated | Entire CBS News Radio team (60-70 staff) |
“For nearly 100 years, CBS News Radio has delivered original reporting to the nation, from Edward R. Murrow’s World War II reports in London to today’s daily White House updates. Our signature broadcast, ‘World News Roundup,’ remains the longest-running newscast in the country.”
Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski, CBS News leadership
The Broader News Division Restructuring
The CBS News Radio shutdown is part of a larger strategic overhaul led by Bari Weiss, the network’s editor in chief. The restructuring includes layoffs affecting about 6% of the total CBS News workforce, representing a significant reduction in staff and resources. The news division is attempting to refocus its operations and reallocate resources toward digital and television platforms.
This marks another major shift in CBS News operations. In 2017, the network sold its owned radio stations to Entercom, but continued operating its news service through affiliate partnerships. That model ultimately proved unsustainable in today’s changing media landscape.
What Does This Mean for Radio News in America?
The closure of CBS News Radio signals a continued decline in traditional radio’s role in news distribution. Many local radio stations have already faced staff reductions and format changes. The loss of a major network news source forces affiliates to seek alternative partnerships, potentially reducing the quality and breadth of news available to audiences.
Radio remains important for reaching millions of Americans during commutes and while working. However, the shift toward streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms has fundamentally changed how networks view radio investment. CBS News Radio‘s shutdown demonstrates the industry-wide pressure facing traditional radio news operations.
Sources
- Deadline Hollywood – CBS News Radio shutdown announcement by Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski
- WTOP News and The Associated Press – CBS News Radio closure after nearly century of operation
- The Washington Post, CNN, and Variety – CBS News layoffs and radio division restructuring details
