Disney considers thousands of job cuts as cost-cutting drive intensifies

Disney is planning to cut several thousand jobs as part of a wider cost-reduction programme, according to people familiar with the matter cited by CNBC. Some managers at the entertainment group have reportedly been asked to identify savings of up to 20% within their departments.

The potential redundancies represent the latest round of workforce reductions since chief executive Josh D’Amaro took over earlier this year. Disney announced plans in April to eliminate up to 1,000 positions, mainly in marketing, followed by around 300 job cuts in September, largely affecting its human resources and technology divisions.

The company had approximately 231,000 employees at the end of its 2025 financial year in September.

Disney executives had already signalled further reductions in an August earnings update, saying the group was reviewing several measures to reduce costs and free up resources for investment and growth.

The company also introduced an early retirement programme for some employees, while confirming that compulsory redundancies had begun in certain areas and would continue into next year.

The cost-cutting drive reflects wider pressures across the entertainment industry, with companies seeking to improve efficiency and reduce operating expenses. Netflix announced last month that it would cut around 6% of its workforce, while Skydance, following its combination with Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, is expected to pursue savings of $6 billion over three years through operational efficiencies.

Disney is scheduled to publish its fourth-quarter financial results on November 17.

via CNBC