The Walt Disney Company has laid off several hundred employees across its television and film divisions as part of an ongoing effort to streamline operations amid shifting industry dynamics and financial pressures. A Disney spokesperson confirmed the layoffs on Monday, noting that while no entire teams are being eliminated, the job cuts primarily affect departments within Disney Entertainment that oversee movie and TV marketing, publicity, casting, development, and some corporate finance roles.
According to the company, the decision was driven by the “rapid pace of industry transformation” and a strategic push to operate more efficiently. Consumers’ growing preference for streaming services like Disney+ over traditional television and film distribution has intensified financial challenges for legacy media companies. The latest cuts mark the fourth and largest round of layoffs at Disney in the past 10 months, significantly impacting its television and film operations. Most affected employees are reportedly based in Los Angeles.
Broader restructuring under CEO Bob Iger
This move is part of the broader cost-cutting initiative launched by CEO Bob Iger, who returned to lead Disney in 2022 after a two-year retirement. In early 2023, Iger announced plans to eliminate 7,000 jobs and reduce spending by at least $7.5 billion. Since then, Disney has executed multiple rounds of layoffs. In September 2024, around 300 employees were cut across corporate departments including legal, HR, finance, and communications. Other affected divisions have included National Geographic, Pixar, and Freeform. In March 2025, the company laid off nearly 200 employees, roughly 6% of its workforce within ABC News and Disney Entertainment Networks. Prior to that, an October 2024 restructuring led to the shutdown of ABC Signature, with its operations merged into 20th Television, and the consolidation of scripted teams across ABC and Hulu Originals.
Layoffs continue in Disney
Despite the layoffs, Disney’s most recent Q2 2025 earnings report showed encouraging signs. The company reported a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $23.6 billion, alongside a $289 million rise in direct-to-consumer operating profit, totaling $336 million. Disney+ also saw a 126 million subscriber increase from the first quarter of 2025. Much of the company’s recent financial momentum was driven by growth in Disney Experiences (theme parks and related ventures) and its sports divisions, though Iger has previously signaled that new jobs may be created in these areas despite ongoing restructuring in media.