Hollywood’s film, television, streaming, and news industries suffered massive job losses in 2025 as the media’s decline accelerated, costing tens of thousands of workers their livelihoods. According to The Wrap, the entertainment sector shed up to 17,000 positions last year — an 18 percent increase in layoffs compared with 2024 — underscoring the industry’s shrinking influence and economic footprint.
News divisions across broadcast, cable, digital, and streaming lost approximately 2,254 jobs through November 2025. While that figure was lower than the more than 4,500 cuts seen in 2024, the broader trend points to continued contraction. Industry leaders attributed layoffs largely to corporate restructuring and consolidation as major media companies seek to streamline operations amid falling revenues and shifting audience habits.
Merger activity marked the year as well. The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, while Warner Bros. Discovery moved closer to a pending sale expected to reshape its workforce. Even Disney, which has largely resisted the scale of layoffs seen elsewhere, continued trimming staff across divisions.
Many analysts say artificial intelligence played a central role in the employment downturn. A World Economic Forum report predicts that 41 percent of companies globally plan layoffs over the next five years as AI displaces human labor. Hollywood has already felt the effects; one June report estimated up to 200,000 jobs may be lost or never created due to AI’s impact on content production and distribution. The Wrap noted that AI‑related cuts totaled about 71,000 in 2025.
Paramount led industry layoffs, shedding around 2,000 employees. Other companies felt the pain too: Comcast’s Versant cable division eliminated 150 jobs (roughly seven percent of its workforce), and Disney cut nearly 800 positions worldwide. Warner Bros. saw modest cuts of about 100 in 2025, but analysts warn layoffs could soar — potentially up to 6,000 — once its acquisition is finalized.
Los Angeles’ film industry also continued its decline. By the end of 2024, Hollywood had already lost 100,000 jobs — a 30 percent drop — as productions moved to other states, Canada, Mexico, or overseas. By April 2025, Los Angeles ranked just sixth in film and TV production activity. Deadline reported that the downturn persisted through the third quarter.
Traditional media faced similar challenges. Dotdash Meredith slashed 143 jobs, and after rebranding to People Inc. cut another 226. The Washington Post reduced staff by four percent, CNN eliminated 200 positions, PBS laid off 15 percent of its workforce, and CBS News canceled digital ventures while cutting positions. Business Insider cut 21 percent of its staff, and outlets including Variety, Rolling Stone, and Billboard also reported layoffs.
With economic pressures mounting and technology reshaping the landscape, media job losses show no sign of slowing as the industry enters 2026.
