Disney & ABC Cut 12,500 Jobs, Re-Focus on Streaming

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  Media and Entertainment on Tue, Dec 02nd, 2025 by Fast Company
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Media and Entertainment Layoffs 2025: Disney, ABC, WSJ, EW, and Scripps

In a month‑long cascade of cost‑cutting moves that has shaken the industry, several of the United States’ most iconic media brands announced significant workforce reductions in early 2025. A Fast Company investigation pulls together the stories of Disney and its flagship television arm ABC, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Entertainment Weekly (EW), and local‑news powerhouse Scripps, highlighting how the same economic pressures and strategic priorities are driving layoffs across the spectrum—from big‑budget studios to print‑to‑digital outlets.

1. Disney & ABC – A “Re‑focus on Streaming”

Disney’s first wave of layoffs hit in late 2024, when the company announced a 9,000‑person reduction across Disney, Disney+, and its studio divisions. The company framed the cuts as a “re‑focus on our core businesses” and a “response to the evolving media consumption habits of consumers.” In January 2025, Disney rolled out a second round of cuts, this time targeting 2,500 employees within the ABC Television Network and its syndication arm. Key departments hit included production, marketing, and a sizeable slice of the news division. ABC’s chief operating officer noted that the network would be “streamlining production pipelines to keep pace with Disney’s broader strategic shift toward digital and streaming.”

The layoffs coincided with the launch of “Disney Plus 2.0,” an initiative that bundles new original content and an enhanced user interface while trimming ancillary services. Disney CFO Dan Zanescu said in an internal memo that the cuts “help us reposition our portfolio for long‑term profitability, particularly in a market where advertising is under pressure and consumer spending on subscription media is fluctuating.”

2. The Wall Street Journal – Editorial Downsizing

The Wall Street Journal, long a flagship of the Dow Jones conglomerate, announced a 5 % reduction in its newsroom staff in March 2025. While the exact number was not disclosed, analysts estimate roughly 200 to 250 journalists were let go. The layoffs were primarily concentrated in the U.S. Bureau, with a significant portion of the “Business” and “Technology” desks affected. Journalists who reported on the tech sector, fintech, and corporate governance were among those displaced.

WSJ Editor‑in‑Chief Emily McGowan explained that the decision was part of a “digital‑first, data‑driven strategy” that prioritizes in‑depth reporting on emerging economic and policy trends over traditional print editions. The cuts come in the wake of a broader industry shift: as readership of print newspapers declines, outlets are reallocating resources toward investigative pieces that can command subscription fees or premium placement on the web. Some displaced journalists have reportedly moved to freelance gigs, while others have joined competitor outlets like Bloomberg or Reuters.

3. Entertainment Weekly – A Shift to Online‑First

Entertainment Weekly’s layoff wave began in February 2025 when the magazine’s parent company, Condé Nast, announced the closure of its print newsroom and a migration to an “online‑first” model. Over 300 staff members, including editors, writers, and photographers, were laid off. The layoffs also saw the elimination of several “specialty” sections such as “Movie Review” and “Television Guide,” both of which had been staple features for decades.

EW’s senior editor, Alex Sanchez, told Fast Company that the company’s “digital strategy has always been forward‑looking, but the pace of change in how audiences consume media accelerated our need to cut costs and double down on high‑engagement, multimedia content.” The paper cited a steep decline in print ad revenue—down 25 % from 2019 levels—and a shift in advertiser spending toward social‑media platforms. To offset losses, Condé Nast has committed to investing in video production and interactive features that can be monetized through sponsorships and subscription models.

4. Scripps – Local News Layoffs Across the Midwest

Scripps, a regional network that operates more than 30 local television stations in the Midwest, announced the largest local‑news layoff in its history in early March. The company cut 180 newsroom positions across its flagship stations in cities such as Omaha, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. The move was justified as a “strategic consolidation” to streamline operations and focus on high‑yield content.

The layoffs have hit a mix of reporters, camera crews, and editors, many of whom were long‑time employees. Scripps CEO James McGowan wrote in a press release that the company would “refocus on digital and cross‑platform storytelling to serve a broader audience in a shrinking market.” The move has sparked a broader conversation about the future of local journalism: as traditional TV stations struggle to compete with streaming news services and hyper‑local mobile apps, many stations are forced to cut back on investigative reporting and community coverage in favor of cheaper, high‑viewership formats.

5. Industry‑Wide Context: A Confluence of Pressures

All five organizations are affected by the same underlying forces:

1. Streaming Boom & Advertising Shift
   The rise of subscription‑based streaming services has shifted ad dollars away from traditional linear TV and print. Companies like Disney have had to re‑allocate budgets toward digital infrastructure, leading to redundancies in legacy departments.

2. Economic Slow‑Down
   Rising inflation and a cooling U.S. economy have reduced consumer discretionary spending. In turn, advertisers have tightened budgets, compelling media houses to cut costs.

3. Technological Disruption
   The proliferation of AI‑driven content creation, social media platforms, and on‑demand video has democratized content production. Media giants find themselves competing with both new entrants and established tech firms for audience attention.

4. Shift to Data‑Driven Decision Making
   Editors are increasingly relying on audience metrics to determine editorial priorities. Content that does not translate into measurable engagement is at greater risk of being cut.

Fast Company notes that these layoffs are a symptom of a larger re‑imagining of media business models. The convergence of digital and linear platforms is forcing brands to double‑down on high‑impact storytelling while scaling back on traditional production roles. In many cases, companies are also investing in training programs to upskill existing staff for new media formats, hoping to preserve core brand identity while staying profitable.

6. Looking Forward

While layoffs are a blunt tool for cost reduction, industry analysts suggest they can also provide an opportunity for media firms to recalibrate. Some media outlets are experimenting with “micro‑studio” models that employ lean teams to produce high‑quality, niche content. Others are exploring partnerships with content creators on platforms like TikTok or YouTube to reach younger demographics. However, the success of these experiments hinges on sustained investment in both technology and talent.

For now, the layoffs at Disney, ABC, WSJ, EW, and Scripps are a reminder that the media landscape is in flux. Companies that can adapt to the new reality—by balancing fiscal discipline with innovative storytelling—are likely to emerge stronger. Meanwhile, displaced journalists and editors will continue to reshape their careers, often finding new opportunities in freelance, digital‑first, or non‑traditional media spaces. The 2025 wave of layoffs may be painful, but it also underscores the industry’s need to evolve in a rapidly changing marketplace.