In another wave of layoffs in the United States, Disney has announced further job cuts as part of its ongoing cost-saving measures.
According to Deadline, nearly 300 employees have been affected in this latest round, with more layoffs expected. The cuts primarily impact Disney’s corporate functions, including legal, HR, finance, and communications, while other divisions like ESPN, parks, and Disney Entertainment remain unaffected for now.
A Disney spokesperson told Deadline, “We continually evaluate ways to invest in our businesses and manage resources and costs more effectively to drive the creativity and innovation that consumers expect from Disney. As part of this ongoing optimization, we have reviewed the cost structure of our corporate functions and identified opportunities for increased efficiency.”
This announcement follows recent downsizing at Disney’s television division, where 140 jobs were cut, representing 2% of Disney Entertainment Television’s staff. In May, Pixar also laid off 175 employees, about 14% of its workforce.
Disney has faced declining profits since the pandemic, compounded by box office failures like Elemental and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, as well as struggles with its Disney+ streaming service and theme parks. Rising operational costs and high inflation have further pressured the company.
Since returning as CEO in 2022, Bob Iger has cut over 8,000 jobs to save $7.5 billion. During a November earnings call, Iger acknowledged the creative challenges post-pandemic, noting that the surge in content production had compromised quality, causing Disney to lose focus.
