Facing ratings drops and a decline in ad revenue, NBC News layoffs are on their way, ahead of the MSNBC split. The NBC staff cuts could affect between 100 to 150 employees in the coming weeks, preparing the business for the incoming change. The employees affected by the decision were notified on Wednesday, with the organization vowing to try and aid exiting staff with finding another position within the organization. For many, this move may just be the solution to continued employment, offering other businesses a glimpse into the ways that talent can be conserved and supported through times of change.
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NBC News Layoffs Announced as CNBC and MSNBC Spinoff Takes Shape
With streaming platforms and social media channels taking over as the primary avenues of news consumption, media houses like NBC News have witnessed a clear drop in viewership and ad revenue over the years, with top predictions suggesting the problem is only set to worsen.
With plans to revitalize the business and shake up its operations, parts of the NBCUniversal umbrella, such as CNBC and MSNBC, are expected to be spun off into a new publicly traded company, Versant. The remainder of Comcast’s NBCUniversal portfolio, including the broadcast network, will remain with the corporation.
This means considerable change is scheduled at the organization right from the top to the bottom of its workforce, and layoffs are an inevitable consequence of such change. The current announcement focuses on the NBS News layoffs, with 100-150 staffers at risk of being let go. Variety estimates that the staff cuts will account for around 7-8% of NBC News’ headcount, or about 2% of the overall workforce at the central business.
The trend of mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs leading to layoffs is not a new one and certainly not novel for the media industry. With the Paramount Skydance merger now reaching completion, staff at the consolidated organization are similarly being let go.
The Layoffs Ahead of the MSNBC Split Will Give Employees a Chance to Find Another Position
The NBC News layoffs may be disheartening for many workers, but not all of the 150 or so workers will lose their jobs. The business indicated that employees can consider applying for around 140 open positions across its various operations.
Additionally, some of the roles that are being eliminated will be rewritten into new positions at the organization, and the employees who are laid off can consider applying for these posts. There does not appear to be any indication that these employees will be preferentially considered for these posts, however, there is still hope of being relocated internally.
What Do NBCUniversal News Group and the Unions Have to Say About the Layoffs?
We have limited insights into the internal workings that led to the decision, however, Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, did share a memo with employees. “Today is a hard day. We have had to make some difficult decisions, including the elimination of positions across NBC News. While these decisions are necessary to remain strong as an industry leader, they are not easy and are never taken lightly,” he explained.
“We have sought to minimize the number of affected team members, and our teams’ decisions should not be seen as a reflection on our colleagues who will be leaving. We will miss them and their valuable contributions.”
Despite the reassurance provided by leaders, unions in the region are decidedly unhappy about the decision. The NewsGuild of New York, which represents workers’ interests in the tri-state region, chimed in on the matter. “Instead of restructuring at the top, corporate profits are being maximized at the expense of our hard-working members who create the very value that drives the success of NBC,” Susan DeCarava, President of the NewsGuild of New York, told Fox News Digital.
The Season of Layoffs Continues Unrestricted
The NBC ratings drop isn’t solely responsible for the cuts, but there is a clear connection between the issues at hand. The shift in consumption habits is leading to downsizing efforts in the media industry, but a similar change has been noted across workforces as a result of the arrival of AI and the resulting change in operational habits. The NBC layoffs in 2025 aren’t occurring in isolation, with many overlapping factors resulting in the promise of change.
Despite the downsides to the transition, NBC News is also expected to expand its Sports Hub as a part of the evolution of its business model, which could mean more jobs created later down the line. The hope remains that the organization will come out stronger as a result of these planned changes, with employees affected by the staff cuts at NBC News reassigned to other posts across the organization.
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