Disney Entertainment Television Lays Off 140 Employees
Disney Entertainment Television was hit by a new round of layoffs today, with roughly 140 people let go. The layoffs, which had reportedly been in the works for months, were part of a streamlining strategy.
The hardest hit division was National Geographic, which accounted for about 60 of the layoffs. That number is roughly 13% of the unit’s total staff.
While no divisions were eliminated, according to Deadline, other layoffs affected ABC-owned television Stations, Freeform, Disney linear entertainment, Unscripted, Marketing, and Public Relations.
![Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/081612_Launch_Img2.jpg)
![Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/081612_Launch_Img2.jpg)
Walt Disney Company
The layoffs seem to have focused on Disney’s linear television networks, not streaming. Notably, it looks like FX, which has provided streaming hits for Hulu, including Shogun and The Bear, was largely unaffected.
Layoffs Have Been a Constant at Disney
According to the Deadline report, “department heads were given targets to hit after a division-ride review.” Almost half of the cut jobs were located at Disney Studios in Burbank and Los Angeles. New York and Washington, D.C., where National Geographic is centered, were also hit hard.
![National Geographic Expedition](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/National-Geographic-Disney-Petapixel-1024x538.jpg)
![National Geographic Expedition](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/National-Geographic-Disney-Petapixel-1024x538.jpg)
Photo: Petapixel
Since Bob Iger returned to the helm in November 2022, Disney has been pushing to cut costs. While this year has not seen the massive layoffs that plagued the company in 2023, today’s layoffs were not the first at Disney in 2024.
In May, Pixar Animation Studio laid off 175 people, just before the studio’s mega-hit Inside Out 2 hit theaters. That round of layoffs accounted for roughly 14% of Pixar’s staff.
![Pixar Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixar_Logo_Design_History_Evolution_0_1024x1024.png.webp)
![Pixar Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixar_Logo_Design_History_Evolution_0_1024x1024.png.webp)
Pixar Logo
Interestingly, while the Pixar layoffs were reportedly related to the studio’s shift away from streaming, today’s Disney Entertainment Television layoffs were seemingly focused on linear television.
With just a week to go until Disney’s Q3 earnings call, we will soon see if Iger’s strategy is paying off.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond-level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, Thanks for reading!