The Walt Disney Company has commenced another major round of job cuts, with hundreds of staff members reportedly laid off from various departments. As per a BBC report, this latest round primarily affects employees in the film, television, and finance sectors. The move is part of Disney’s wider restructuring strategy aimed at optimizing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Disney layoffs: What the company said
“As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate ways to efficiently manage our businesses while fuelling the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation that consumers value and expect from Disney,” a Disney spokesperson told the BBC.
While Disney has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected, sources indicate that the layoffs are extensive, cutting across several roles within the company’s content creation and distribution divisions.
This is reportedly the fourth-largest layoff event in Disney’s history and follows previous workforce reductions carried out over the past year. These ongoing changes reflect the company’s response to a shifting media environment marked by changing viewer behavior and heightened competition in the streaming space.
The emphasis on television and streaming suggests a strategic shift, as Disney continues to fine-tune its direct-to-consumer offerings, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The company is focusing on improving profitability in this segment by reassessing content production, distribution strategies, and workforce structure.
Previous Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Initiatives
Earlier this year, Disney cut nearly 6% of its workforce, which included positions at ABC News and Disney Entertainment Networks. The organization has been steadily reducing expenses in line with a broader industry movement toward consolidation and operational efficiency.
Despite these job cuts, Disney’s financial health remains robust, buoyed by strong performance from its streaming services and theme parks, which have contributed to earnings that exceeded expectations.
