Warner Bros. Discovery Lays Off Staffers Across Cable Channels
Warner Bros. Discovery is undergoing a new round of layoffs. The job cuts, which are numbered in the double digits but described to The Hollywood Reporter as being well under 100, come across the company's linear cable groups.
No particular channel was affected more than others, a person with knowledge of the layoffs said, and no specific function was targeted.
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In December 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery took steps toward spinning its cable channels away from its studio and streaming businesses, a la NBCUniversal and the newly created Versant. A reorg at WBD created a global linear TV division, which is the one impacted today.
The new corporate structure aims to bolster its 'strategic flexibility and create potential opportunities to unlock additional shareholder value,' the company said back then.
'Since the combination that created Warner Bros. Discovery, we have transformed our business and improved our financial position while providing world class entertainment to global audiences,' WBD president and CEO David Zaslav said at the time.
'We continue to prioritize ensuring our global linear networks business is well positioned to continue to drive free cash flow, while our streaming and studios business focuses on driving growth by telling the world's most compelling stories. Our new corporate structure better aligns our organization and enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities across an evolving media landscape, help us build on our momentum and create opportunities as we evaluate all avenues to deliver significant shareholder value,' Zaslav added.
In May, CNBC's David Faber reported that a NBCU/Versant-like split for WBD was 'imminent.' Well, that hasn't happened — not yet at least.
Cable television still generates cash for companies, but the value is dwindling fast. The jewels in a media-company's crown these days (and for the future) are their studios and streaming services.
Earlier this week, Disney laid off several-hundred employees. A week or so prior, Disney's ESPN slashed 300 jobs. In March, about 6 percent of Disney Entertainment Networks and ABC News staffers were let go.
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