MSNBC.com axes staff as downturn bites

by Staff,, Brand Republic 04-Dec-01, 12:15

NEW YORK - MSNBC, the MSN and NBC joint venture news portal and broadcaster, has laid off 9% of its 200 staff, after earlier cost-cutting measures failed to stave off the effects of the advertising downturn.

The staff cuts come at MSNBC.com and do not affect the cable news station MSNBC. Jobs will be lost "across the board", according to MSNBC.com spokeswoman Cherylynne Crowther.

Despite the popularity of the site and an increase in demand for live news from web users due to current world events, MSNBC.com is struggling with the downturn in advertising. It is said to be looking at reducing costs by 20%.

MSNBC, the cable news channel, is also looking at reducing costs. It was one of many US broadcasters which cancelled advertising in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

MSNBC is a 50:50 joint venture between MSN and General Electric-owned NBC. Its news portal was launched in 1996.

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