Media

REPORT: ABC News Is Laying Off Staffers To ‘Adapt To Changes’ In Business

The ABC logo is viewed outside of ABC headquarters February 24, 2010 in New York, New York. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Shelby Talcott Senior White House Correspondent
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ABC News is reportedly laying off some staffers as its parent company Walt Disney begins to restructure amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Variety cited a source familiar with the situation and a memo from ABC News President James Goldston regarding the layoffs. A low number of people within the news division were laid off, according to Variety. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Employees Sound Off After Cuts At Vox Media)

“Unfortunately, as we position ABC News for the future, we’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our workforce in a few areas. The people whose jobs are affected have all been notified, and they will leave the company early next year,” Goldston wrote in the memo on Thursday, according to Variety.

Goldston continued on to note that the “decisions are never made lightly” and praised those the people the company is laying off.

“We’re parting ways with people we have worked with and who have made so many important contributions to ABC News,” Goldston reportedly said. “I’m deeply thankful for their years of service and tireless dedication to help our audience better understand the world. I’m working with our HR teams and managers to do everything we can to support them through this transition. Both I and all of our leaders are here to help and to answer any questions that you may have in the coming days.”

Disney is seeing cuts overall under Peter Rice, its general entertainment content chairman. Radio Disney announced Thursday that operations for that branch will shut down beginning next year, Variety reported.

Multiple news companies have laid off employees throughout the year due to COVID-19.