The Shakeup
Real talk: Disney is going through it. Under new CEO Josh D’Amaro, the company is prepping for a major restructuring of its TV empire that is expected to cost hundreds of employees their jobs. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the goal is to stop operating in "silos" and instead centralize their TV business to better align with the streaming era.
The Fallout
This isn't a new trend for the company—it's giving major cost-cutting vibes. Disney already dropped the axe on over 300 employees this past Tuesday, mostly hitting HR and IT. We’ve also seen cuts ripple through Pixar, ESPN, and ABC News lately.
Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden confirmed at a Bloomberg conference that they are actively rethinking their structure, saying, "There is a need to constantly evaluate how you’re structured."
Who’s in the crosshairs?
Disney Entertainment Chairman Debra OConnell is leading the charge on this strategy. Her domain is massive, covering everything from 20th Television and Hulu Originals to National Geographic and Freeform. Sources say the reorganization is likely to impact high-level execs running those units.
Even the legal and global affairs team, which has about 1,000 staffers, is bracing for impact. Chief legal officer Horacio Gutierrez told his team they are becoming a "much smaller organization" due to automation. Meanwhile, ABC News is also on the chopping block—a tough look considering "Good Morning America" just lost its #1 ratings spot to NBC’s "Today" after holding the throne for 14 years. It’s a major L for the network as they try to recalibrate.
Why it matters
Disney is aggressively trying to pivot its business model to make more sense for the streaming generation. By cutting roles and consolidating teams, they’re chasing efficiency, but the human cost is high. For employees, the job market at the House of Mouse is lowkey terrifying right now—say less on the job security front.
