CNN plans to spend $20 million, hire 200 in digital expansion

CNN plans to invest $20 million and hire more than 200 employees in its digital news operations in a restructuring that eliminates some jobs and focuses on video offerings and mobile distribution.

The newsroom changes will result in about 50 jobs being cut, including website-related employees, reporters and editors. The laid-off employees are eligible to apply for the new positions, the company said.

"The investments will span both product and editorial teams and charge the creation of entirely new units and capabilities in key areas for CNN," Andrew Morse, general manager of CNN Digital Worldwide, said in a memo e-mailed to staffers Wednesday. "Change can at times be difficult but with it comes great opportunity."

CNN's priorities in expansion include international markets, audience analytics, mobile product development and video. Of the more than 200 new positions, 150 are already posted online and include a mix of reporters, programmers and video editors.

In addition to positions in Atlanta and New York City, CNN Digital is also hiring in London, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. CNN, which is owned by Time Warner, hopes to complete CNN Digital's restructuring by mid-April and fill all new jobs by 2017.

"The restructuring is a fundamental shift from a team organized around a traditional website to one poised for success across all platforms, specifically mobile," said Morse.