CNN is scaling back on original series and films and is looking to move to in-house production, citing costs as the network looks to cuts in division budgets.The CNN Original Series and CNN Films units, led by Amy Entelis, have been behind such popular shows as Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and the recent The Last Movie Stars. CNN recently debuted Navalny, the documentary about Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, and aired a documentary series on the Murdochs.CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Chris Licht wrote in a memo on Friday that “our long-term plan will no longer rely on commissioned projects with outside partners. This was a very difficult decision to make, and it was based, in large part, on the ever-increasing cost of commissioning third-party premium content. However, I want to be clear that longform content remains an important pillar of our programming.”It was not immediately clear how many positions would be affected.Earlier in the week, Licht warned employees of coming cost cuts to staff and budgets.Licht also wrote that he had asked Entelis “to explore how we can approach longform content in house. My goal is to find a model that will enable us to bring our audiences this type of programming with greater flexibility.” Entelis, who is executive vice president for talent and content development for CNN Worldwide, is said to be exploring the creation of an in-house content studio. Entelis was among the executives tapped to serve as interim CNN leader after the abrupt resignation of Jeff Zucker in February.CNN will continue with plans to air original series and films next year that already were in development and close to completion. They include projects on Dionne Warwick and Little Richard, another on the history of Black television, and the previously announced series Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico.The original series unit also has been responsible for Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell.
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