Disney Announces Job Cuts as CEO Pushes Restructuring Plan
Walt Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, announced a fresh round of layoffs on Tuesday, signaling a broader effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency across the company.
Approximately 1,000 roles are expected to be eliminated, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Layoffs to Impact Multiple Divisions
The job cuts will primarily affect Disney’s marketing division, which was recently reorganized in January. However, reductions will also extend to other key areas, including the studio and television business, ESPN, product development, technology teams, and certain corporate functions.
Disney has already begun notifying affected employees this week.
Focus on a More Agile and Tech-Driven Workforce
In an internal email seen by Reuters, D’Amaro emphasized the need for Disney to adapt to rapid industry changes. He highlighted the importance of building a more agile and technology-focused workforce to stay competitive in a fast-evolving media landscape.
As part of this transformation, the company is reducing roles in selected departments.
Media Industry Faces Structural Challenges
Disney’s restructuring comes as the broader entertainment industry undergoes significant shifts. Traditional television continues to decline, box office revenues remain under pressure, and competition in streaming has intensified.
Other major players, including Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, have also implemented layoffs as they adjust to similar market conditions.
Previous Cost-Cutting Efforts and Financial Pressures
The last major wave of layoffs at Disney occurred in 2023, when the company cut around 7,000 jobs as part of a plan to save $5.5 billion in costs.
At the time, Disney faced pressure from activist investor Nelson Peltz to improve financial performance and reduce losses within its streaming segment.
Workforce Size and Ongoing Changes
As of September, Disney employed approximately 231,000 people worldwide. The latest layoffs represent another step in the company’s ongoing effort to restructure and adapt to changing industry dynamics.
The job cuts were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
