In a significant downturn, the entertainment and media sector is poised to lose over 17,000 jobs by the end of 2025. This latest wave of layoffs reflects ongoing efforts in cost-cutting, consolidations, and an increased reliance on artificial intelligence, which have all taken a toll on newsrooms, studios, and streaming services alike.
The U.S.-based media company, encompassing various segments like television, film, and digital publishing, will shed 17,163 positions through November, representing an 18% rise compared to 2024, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas data.
This year, layoffs surged dramatically—fivefold—compared to last year, as organizations aggressively cut costs, eliminate unsuccessful ventures, and prepare for a more austere future.
Despite some slight improvements, the broader job market remains bleak. Layoffs across the U.S. had surpassed 1.17 million through November, reflecting a 54% increase from the previous year. It’s the highest figure recorded since the pandemic. The media sector is navigating this landscape amid widespread layoffs across various industries.
Employers are also planning to hire just under 500,000 people this year, a 35% drop from 2024, marking the lowest level of new hiring since 2010, pointing to tight labor market conditions, as noted by Challenger.
Interestingly, artificial intelligence is expected to contribute to over 54,000 job cuts across the economy in 2025. It’s changing the game for roles that were traditionally held by designers, editors, and junior staff, according to Challenger data.
As companies streamline their operations and rethink their labor needs, there’s a sharper focus on automation. This trend touches everything from content creation to advertising and other back-office roles.
The merger between Paramount and Skydance is projected to cut about 2,000 jobs, while Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal have initiated their restructuring efforts. These moves come as traditional TV revenues continue to decline, prompting drastic changes.
Challenges in newsrooms, stemming from falling advertising revenue and shifting audience behaviors, are forcing publishers to downsize. In fact, this year, the news sector has seen 2,254 layoffs, including 179 in November. That said, this represents a decrease of 50% from last year’s figures.
The Washington Post, under the ownership of billionaire Jeff Bezos, cut approximately 4% of its staff earlier this year after posting a hefty $100 million loss attributed to weak digital advertising performance.
CNN also announced around 200 layoffs as it aims to pivot towards digital formats and prepare for broader corporate restructuring. CBS News has reduced its workforce by about 100 and scrapped several streaming news programs.
NBC News laid off around 150 employees—about 7% of its total workforce—as part of Comcast’s plan to separate its cable division. This has also impacted newsroom jobs tied to linear television assets.
Digital publishers have not escaped unscathed either. Business Insider eliminated 21% of its staff in a shift towards “AI first,” while Forbes laid off 5% of its team after missing internal financial benchmarks.
Moreover, Dotdash Meredith, recently rebranded as People Inc., has laid off about 350 employees as it moves away from a model reliant on traffic-driven digital publishing.
Condé Nast announced it would shut down Teen Vogue as an independent entity, alongside further job cuts in its portfolio to consolidate brands and reduce expenditures.
Looking ahead, the data from Challenger suggests that companies remain vigilant entering 2026, with hiring plans at a 15-year low due to ongoing restructurings, closures, and the growing influence of AI on job roles.
