The entertainment and media sectors faced significant job losses in 2025, with over 17,000 positions eliminated as companies grappled with consolidation, cost reductions, and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S.-based media firms—encompassing television, film, digital publishing, and broadcasting—announced a total of 17,163 job cuts through November, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.
Layoffs surged fivefold in 2023 as companies aggressively trimmed costs and recalibrated after unsuccessful growth strategies. The overall U.S. job market showed similar trends, with total job cuts exceeding 1.17 million, a 54% rise compared to last year, signaling a tightening labor environment. Only 497,151 new hires were announced through November, down 35% from the same timeframe in 2024.
Companies increasingly cited automation and AI as factors contributing to job cuts, with an estimated 54,000 planned layoffs attributed to technology advancements. Major mergers and restructuring, such as the Paramount Skydance merger, led to around 2,000 job eliminations, while Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal also instituted significant workforce reductions. Newsrooms have been particularly affected, as advertising declines and evolving audience behavior prompted further downsizing.
Notable cuts included approximately 100 positions at The Washington Post and 200 at CNN, as news outlets adapt to shifting operations. Digital publishers have also experienced layoffs, with Business Insider and Forbes making substantial workforce reductions.
Looking ahead, Challenger data suggests ongoing caution, with hiring plans at a 15-year low amid continued layoffs driven by restructuring and AI technology.
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