- Paramount has laid off approximately 1,000 employees following its acquisition by Skydance Media, with another 1,000 cuts anticipated in the coming weeks.
- The move is part of a larger, alarming trend of job losses across the media and entertainment sector, with recent layoffs at NBC News, Charter Communications, Amazon, and Disneyland.
- These layoffs are compounding the financial and emotional distress of a workforce already battered by the pandemic, industry strikes, and production slowdowns over the last five years.
- Support organizations like the Entertainment Community Fund are reporting a sharp increase in demand for services as industry professionals, including long-time veterans, face unprecedented uncertainty.
A Dark Day on Melrose Avenue
The dreaded news became a reality for about 1,000 Paramount employees last week, as the company initiated a massive wave of layoffs. This marks the first major staff reduction since David Ellison’s Skydance Media took control of the iconic entertainment giant. The cuts were deep and widespread, impacting divisions from CBS and CBS News to Comedy Central, MTV, and the historic Melrose Avenue film studio. Sources close to the matter indicate this is only the beginning, with another 1,000 layoffs expected in the near future.
An Industry-Wide Purge
Paramount’s drastic measures are not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a much larger crisis plaguing Hollywood. The media landscape is currently a minefield of job insecurity. Cable provider Charter Communications recently announced it would cut 1,200 jobs nationwide, citing increased competition. Last month, NBC News let go of 150 employees amid declining TV ratings and ad revenue.
The pain is felt across the entire entertainment ecosystem. Amazon slashed a staggering 14,000 corporate positions, including roles within its gaming, film, and TV studios. Even the “Happiest Place on Earth” wasn’t immune, with Disneyland Resort cutting 100 jobs from its Anaheim workforce. These recent cuts follow earlier 2025 layoffs at major players like Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBCUniversal, painting a grim picture for the industry’s future.
“One Crisis After Another”
For Hollywood’s workforce, this wave of layoffs is the latest blow in a relentless, five-year-long battle for stability. The marathon of economic hurdles began with the pandemic, which brought productions to a halt. This was followed by the grueling dual writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023, a significant cutback in streaming content spending, and an exodus of productions to lower-cost locations outside of California.
The Human Toll
“It’s been one crisis after another, without enough time in between,” said Keith McNutt, western regional executive director of the Entertainment Community Fund, a nonprofit providing social services to industry professionals. McNutt’s organization has seen a dramatic spike in demand for its services, from financial counseling to healthcare support.
The fund is assisting not just low-income workers but also veteran professionals with decades of experience whose savings were wiped out by the recent years of turmoil. “People are concerned and very worried and really trying very hard to figure out where they go from here,” McNutt added.
A Faint Glimmer of Hope
While many hope California’s newly expanded film and television tax credit program will eventually lure productions and jobs back to the state, that offers little comfort to those who just lost their livelihoods. For now, the focus is on immediate support.
McNutt advises affected workers to immediately explore their healthcare options, connect with career counselors, and most importantly, lean on their community. “You’re not alone,” he emphasized. “Reach out to your friends, reach out to your colleagues… Nobody’s alone in this situation.”
Image Referance: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/newsletter/2025-11-04/wide-shot-template