Current TV axes 80 staffers, cuts shows, changes direction.

Current TV lets go 80 employees, cancels some shows. Programming head David Neuman (former D<N exec) is out, a new CEO from MTV is in. Coverage: Variety, SF Chron + LAT. Quote: "As much as you might want to change the world, sometimes there is not that much you can change -- particularly when you are dealing with the world of television."

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

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devolute

They’ll probably go down the same path the Current TV UK has gone down: trashy tabloid nonsense.
busydoingnothing

Current TV becomes another douchebag channel in 3…2….1….
gbmbg

Please please please don’t get rid of Target Women. Without Sarah Haskins making fun of advertisements, my life has no meaning.
AsteriskCGY

And Vanguard was always good stuff there really.
melody

Bummer, Current TV may have been one of the last creative, news focused, fresh idea channels floating in a sea of boring reality shows, opinionews programs, and rehashed TV dramas. I hate that Current TV will morph into MTV Current. Such a waste. This is why internet programming is going to overwhelm and supersede network and cable TV programs; it can provide a unique point of view that is useful and personally committed to telling a relevant story.
Adam Stanhope

Vanguard – Excellent
InfoMania – Excellent (Yay for Sergio!)
Max & Jason Still Up – Usually Excellent (change theme song, please)
SuperNews – Clever, better than many
Anonymous

Don’t you dare mess with the weekly thirty minute dose of televised perfection known as Infomania!
Anonymous

I have enjoyed this channel- some of the content is great, but I always feel as though ive seen all of the shorts over and over.

It was fresh for the first few days though.
SimeonW

Current TV has failed, from its inception, to make compelling television. They began with the idea of using citizen journalists and user generated content, and so they looked amateurish and unfocused. Much of their recent programming just looks like underfunded and poorly produced versions of the worst and cheapest shows from other cable networks. I loved the concept and the mission, but as it is, it deserves to fail.
Anonymous

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous

Target Women better still be there :(