Disney ESPN REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

Earlier this year, Disney held massive layoffs at ESPN. Variety reports that Disney is now doing the same thing at its other networks. The magazine says that Disney has already begun informing employees as early as last Thursday.

Cuts are expected to take place at ABC Entertainment, ABC Studios, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, and Freefrom. None of these latest layoffs will take place at ESPN. The job cuts are part of company-wide initiative to save money, and Disney is shifting funds from its traditional distribution of content to newer platforms.

Most of the jobs are being eliminated from what is being called “non-content related or operational sectors.”

Once the cuts are completed, Disney is expected to post openings for new positions soon.

Back in 2013, Disney instituted 150 cuts in its film marketing, home video division, and consumer products. Those were done in a similar fashion as the current cuts. as Disney was also reallocating funds to other areas.

While Disney continues to cut, it also hopes that upcoming carriage negotiations will be just as successful with Altice that led to the pick up of ESPN-run networks, ACC Network and SEC Network.

In the meantime, Disney is undergoing the current round of job cuts in hopes that it can at least stem some of the tide for now.

[Variety]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.