ABC News Announces Layoffs Amid Major Restructuring Efforts

NEW YORK, NY — Staffers at ABC News cleared out their desks Wednesday following an announcement of layoffs as part of a significant restructuring effort at the network. Parent company Disney has reportedly decided to cut around 200 jobs, impacting roughly 6% of the workforce at ABC News Group and its Disney Entertainment Networks unit.

Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News, informed employees of the impending changes in a memo released Wednesday morning. In the email, he stated, “As we’ve often talked about, streamlining our operation to best serve our viewers and continue to position ourselves as a leading news organization has been a goal for some time.”

Karamahmedovic further emphasized the challenge of the layoffs, noting that they are “incredibly challenging and today will undoubtedly be difficult for our organization.” With sentiments of pride in his team’s achievements, he stated, “I remain confident in our ability to continue to set the bar for journalistic excellence.”

The layoff impacts various teams within the network, including those at “World News Tonight.” A source revealed the layoffs would take place over Wednesday and Thursday. Among significant casualties is the data-driven news site FiveThirtyEight, founded by Nate Silver, which will cease operations and displace all 15 of its employees.

The restructuring includes merging ABC’s long-form programs “20/20” and “Nightline,” as well as consolidating “Good Morning America” and its third hour, “GMA3,” into a single production unit. “GMA” executive producer Simone Swink will now oversee all related shows across the timeslots.

ABC News has faced internal struggles as it adapts to the evolving media landscape and increased pressure to shift resources toward digital and streaming platforms. The network seeks to enhance the ratings of its flagship program, “GMA,” which has recently trailed behind NBC’s “Today” show.

Several sources within ABC News reported a sense of unease as speculation grows regarding the future of key figures, including “GMA” host George Stephanopoulos, amid the ongoing restructuring. Employees have expressed frustration and fear about the layoffs, likening the tense atmosphere to the popular series “Squid Game,” with one stating, “It’s all about doing more with less.”

The layoffs have also affected notable executives such as Cindy Galli, an executive producer on ABC’s investigations team, and Zach Toback, vice president of news and non-fiction production. As the network pivots to meet the challenges of modern media, staff morale appears to be at a low.

Media analysts have noted that Disney’s transition away from traditional television toward more digital offerings reflects broader industry trends, as companies scramble to adapt to declines in viewer numbers for conventional programs. Finally, ABC News continues to provide political data analysis despite the closure of FiveThirtyEight, although the future of its data analytics team is uncertain.