Disney Job Cuts Hit Pixar and National Geographic
The layoffs affect 'several hundred' positions, with the animation studio and the documentary brand taking the brunt of the reductions.
“Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney,”
Disney is cutting several hundred positions, with its Pixar and National Geographic divisions being the most affected, according to Deadline.
The layoffs, which occurred this week, also impact staff at Disney Entertainment Television and Studios. This follows a previous round of job cuts at ESPN and other units earlier this year.
Which divisions are most affected?
Deadline reports that the number of jobs cut across Disney Entertainment Television is just under 100, with most of those coming from National Geographic. The cable network, along with its editorial and operations teams, saw significant reductions. About a dozen ABC News staffers were also impacted.
At Pixar, the cuts are estimated to be in the high single percentile of its staff, translating to around or under 100 people. The layoffs are across production and operations. The studio recently saw box-office success with features like Toy Story 5.
What has Disney said about the cuts?
CEO Josh D’Amaro addressed the broader strategy in a memo to staff earlier this year. He wrote that the company has been looking at ways to streamline operations.
"Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney," D’Amaro stated.
This latest round of layoffs is part of an ongoing effort to create a more agile workforce. No additional company-wide communication about this specific action is expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have there been other recent layoffs at Disney?
Yes. This follows earlier job cuts, including at ESPN and within Disney Entertainment Television. In May 2024, Pixar also reduced its workforce by about 175 employees as it scaled back its direct-to-consumer series.
Were any senior executives let go at Pixar?
According to the report, there is no word yet of notable executive vice presidents or senior vice presidents being let go as part of the Pixar cuts announced this week.
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