Walt Disney TV Group to make major layoffs as part of reorganization



[ad_1]

The Walt Disney Company’s television division is downsizing amid the ongoing reorganization, Variety has learned.

This follows the announcement earlier this week that Disney Television chief entertainment officer Dana Walden would consolidate the group’s programming and studio operations, following on from the efforts of Disney’s president of general entertainment content, Peter Rice last month to establish a new structure following the company’s decision to split. the content creation team for distribution and marketing activities.

It’s all coming from the top – Disney CEO Bob Chapek made a sweeping restructuring announcement in October that created a new distribution and monetization arm under Kareem Daniel and highlighted the entertainment conglomerate’s focus on the rationalization and amplification of its ambitions direct to consumers.

News of the upcoming layoffs isn’t entirely unexpected, given the demise of the Touchstone Television brand (nee Fox 21 Television Studios) and its transformation into 20th TV.

Earlier Thursday, Radio Disney announced it would cease operations. Last week, Walt Disney’s 10-K disclosure revealed that Disney’s theme parks and resorts segment would increase its number of layoffs to 32,000 from 28,000 through March 2021.

As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the industry, Disney has been hit on everything from its theme parks to studio entertainment to live sports broadcasts. The only bright spot, Disney Plus – which attracted 73.7 million paying subscribers in its first 11 months in the market – underscores the company’s willingness to focus on monetizing and streamlining its efforts to streaming.

Disney representatives did not respond to the comments.



[ad_2]

Source link