Disney is planning a restructuring of its television business that could consolidate divisions and result in hundreds of job cuts, according to The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper cited people familiar with discussions inside the company. The proposals have not been finalised, so the number of roles affected and the eventual shape of the business remain uncertain. (wsj.com)
The reported plan is being led by Debra O’Connell, chair of Disney Entertainment Television. It would organise more of the operation around streaming audiences instead of television brands built for traditional broadcast and cable distribution, Reuters reported, citing the Journal. Disney did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. (reuters.com)
Which parts of Disney could be affected?
The discussions are expected to affect executives responsible for ABC Entertainment, 20th Television, Hulu Originals and Freeform, according to the report. Those businesses have different roles across television programming and distribution. ABC Entertainment develops programming for the broadcast network, while 20th Television produces shows and Hulu Originals focuses on programming for Disney’s streaming service.
Being named in the report does not mean every unit will face the same changes or that specific jobs have already been selected for elimination. The proposed structure may not be settled before the end of 2026. Until Disney announces a decision, the possible figure of hundreds of layoffs remains an estimate attached to a plan under discussion. (reuters.com)
The shift would reflect a challenge facing established media companies: audiences have been moving away from cable and traditional broadcast television, while streaming services require continued spending on programmes and technology. A company that distributes shows through both older networks and streaming platforms must decide where teams should share responsibilities and where each service needs its own leadership. Reuters described those wider pressures as the backdrop to the reported proposal. (reuters.com)
Disney has already changed its leadership structure
The television proposal follows confirmed changes elsewhere in Disney Entertainment. In September, Disney named Adam Smith chair of its direct-to-consumer business, giving him responsibility for Disney+ and Hulu across areas including product, technology, advertising and programming strategy. The company also appointed Joe Earley to a newly created role overseeing the Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy. (investors.thewaltdisneycompany.com)
Those appointments were publicly announced. The broader television restructuring described by the Journal has not been. The distinction matters for employees and viewers trying to understand what Disney has decided and what remains a possible next step.
Josh D’Amaro became Disney’s chief executive in March, and the reported television plan would add to a series of organisational changes during his tenure. It is too early to say whether the proposal will alter which programmes Disney commissions, where particular shows are released, or how its broadcast and streaming teams work together day to day. The available reporting concerns the management structure and potential staffing consequences, rather than a confirmed change to Disney’s programme schedule. (reuters.com, investors.thewaltdisneycompany.com)
Reported future cuts are separate from recent layoffs.
Disney has made other job cuts, but they should not be counted as part of this proposed television restructuring. Earlier this week, the company laid off a few hundred employees, mainly in human resources and technology, a source told Reuters. Reuters has also reported cuts this year in marketing, Pixar, ABC News and ESPN. Those are previously reported actions; the television layoffs discussed by the Journal are a possible future outcome. (reuters.com)
That distinction leaves several questions unanswered. Disney has not publicly set out a timetable for the proposed overhaul, identified the positions that could be affected, or confirmed how the named television units would be organised. The plan could change as executives continue their discussions. For now, the clearest development is the report that Disney is examining another significant change to its television business as it gives streaming a more central place in its operations. (reuters.com, wsj.com)
