Disney Announces Additional Hundreds of Layoffs Amid Cost-Cutting Measures

Disney's ongoing restructuring leads to more layoffs, targeting employees in various departments as the company strives to adapt to shifting industry dynamics.

Disney has recently confirmed that it will lay off several hundred employees as part of its cost-reduction efforts. The cuts will affect workers primarily in the film, television, and finance departments across various locations worldwide. This move comes as Disney faces increasing pressure from changing consumer habits, with audiences migrating from traditional cable subscriptions to streaming services.

A spokesperson for Disney explained that the company is continuously reassessing its operations to manage its business efficiently while maintaining the creative and innovative standards expected by its audience. This latest round of layoffs builds on significant cuts made earlier in the year, where approximately 7,000 employees were let go as the company, led by CEO Bob Iger, sought to save $5.5 billion (£4.1 billion).

The impacted teams extend to marketing divisions within Disney's film and television operations, as well as workers in casting, development, and corporate finance departments. However, the company reassured stakeholders by stating that no entire teams would be disbanded, indicating a careful and targeted approach toward the affected workforce.

Disney, headquartered in California, employs around 233,000 individuals globally, with over 60,000 based outside the U.S. The entertainment powerhouse oversees a diverse portfolio, including major franchises and networks such as Marvel, Hulu, and ESPN.

Despite the ongoing layoffs, Disney reported stronger-than-anticipated earnings for the first quarter of the year, with total revenue reaching $23.6 billion—a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, bolstered by a surge in subscribers to its Disney+ streaming platform.

This year has seen the release of several notable films from Disney, including "Captain America: Brave New World" and a live-action adaptation of "Snow White." However, the latter did not meet box office expectations after receiving mixed reviews. In contrast, Disney's latest animated feature "Lilo & Stitch" has exceeded performance benchmarks, generating over $610 million worldwide since its debut in May, as reported by Box Office Mojo.