Disney is eliminating several hundred positions across its human resources and technology divisions, according to a report from Reuters citing a person familiar with the matter. The reductions mark the latest phase in a series of workforce adjustments at the entertainment conglomerate.
Variety initially reported the development. The cuts arrive during a pivotal leadership transition, with Josh D’Amaro assuming the chief executive role in March as the company navigates a transformative period driven by artificial intelligence advancements, declining box office receipts, and fierce competition among streaming services.
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Disney is reportedly laying off hundreds of employees. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
In April, the company eliminated roughly 1,000 roles within its marketing organization—which had already undergone reorganization and job cuts in January—as well as across studio and television operations, ESPN, products and technology, and select corporate functions. Several hundred additional employees departed in July, affecting units including Pixar, ESPN, Disney Studios, and Disney Entertainment Television.
The moves come amid a leadership transition at Disney, which had Josh D’Amaro taking charge as CEO in March. (Adam Kissick/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
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The voluntary early-retirement offers extended in August targeted tenured staff at the director level through executive vice president across Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and corporate divisions. Eligibility required at least a decade of service and a minimum age of 50. The time-limited packages included separation pay, continued equity vesting, healthcare coverage at active-employee rates, and ongoing Silver Pass privileges.
Disney employed approximately 231,000 people at the close of fiscal 2025, with roughly 172,000 based in the United States and 59,000 internationally. The company previously shed 7,000 jobs in 2023 as part of a $5.5 billion cost-reduction initiative under former CEO Bob Iger.
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Reuters contributed to this report.
