Over 17,000 jobs were cut in the entertainment and media industry in the first 11 months of 2025, an 18% increase from the same period in 2024. This marks another challenging year for the sector, driven by consolidation, economic pressures, and the ongoing adoption of AI in newsrooms and content creation.
News media saw 2,254 job cuts (including broadcast, digital, and print), down 50% from 4,537 in the prior year, with 179 occurring in November alone.
Major organizations announced significant reductions amid these shifts:
- Dotdash Meredith (now People Inc.) laid off 143 employees in January to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape, followed by 226 more (about 6% of staff) later in the year.
- Washington Post cut roughly 100 employees (4% of workforce), primarily in advertising, marketing, and IT.
- Forbes laid off 5% of its staff due to unmet financial goals.
- CNN eliminated 200 positions in January as part of a pivot to digital and preparation for a new streaming service.
- PBS cut 15% of its staff after losing $500 million in federal funding for public broadcasters.
- Business Insider laid off 21% of its workforce, citing opportunities to harness AI first.
- CBS News laid off about 100 people in October and canceled streaming companion shows for "CBS Mornings" and "CBS Evening News."
- NBC News laid off roughly 150 people.
- Condé Nast and Penske Media Corporation (PMC) implemented cuts, including at Teen Vogue, Variety, Rolling Stone, and Billboard.
These layoffs reflect broader industry challenges, including audience shifts, declining ad revenue, and the need to invest in new technologies and skills. While the sector faces ongoing pressure, the creator economy has emerged as a growth area amid the contraction.