Disney’s entertainment TV division is facing a significant downsizing, with 140 jobs on the chopping block. National Geographic and Freeform are among the affected networks, with NatGeo expected to bear the brunt of the cuts, losing around 60 employees – roughly 13% of its staff.
The atmosphere is tense at ABC News, particularly at Good Morning America, where layoffs are anticipated in the coming days. Insiders reveal that the show’s executives have been tasked with slashing $19 million from its budget by the end of Disney’s fiscal year on September 30. This revised target is a significant increase from the initial $17 million reduction.
While high-profile co-hosts George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, and Michael Strahan are reportedly safe, their support staff are not as fortunate. The trio’s hefty salaries, estimated to be between $17 million and $18 million each, are likely to remain intact.
ABC News has faced criticism in the past for spreading misinformation, including a 2017 report that falsely claimed then-President Donald Trump had directed Michael Flynn to contact Russian officials during the presidential campaign. The network later retracted the story and fired correspondent Brian Ross.
Another embarrassing incident occurred in 2019 when ABC News aired footage purportedly showing Turkish military forces attacking Kurdish fighters in Syria, only to discover that the footage was actually from a Kentucky gun range.
National Geographic, meanwhile, drew attention in 2021 for its documentary on Dr. Anthony Fauci.
These latest layoffs follow a massive restructuring effort by Disney CEO Bob Iger, who eliminated a record 7,000 jobs worldwide last year in a bid to restore the company’s financial stability. The move comes after ABC News president Kim Godwin’s sudden departure earlier this year, following a tumultuous three-year tenure.
