Paramount Skydance has initiated a round of approximately 1,000 layoffs on October 29, 2025, targeting redundancies and roles misaligned with new priorities following its merger with Skydance. The cuts affect CBS News, CBS Entertainment, Paramount+, MTV, and other units, with another 1,000 jobs expected soon, reducing the workforce by about 10%. CEO David Ellison described the moves as necessary for long-term success in a memo to employees.
Overview of the Layoffs
The layoffs, part of a plan to cut up to $2 billion in costs, come after the Ellison family's acquisition of Paramount from the Redstone family in August 2025. At the end of 2024, Paramount had about 18,600 employees worldwide, down from 24,500 two years prior. Previous reductions included a 3.5% domestic staff cut in June 2025. Despite the trims, the company recently invested in a $7.7 billion UFC deal over seven years and acquired The Free Press for $150 million.
In his memo, Ellison wrote: "In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization. In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth. Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success."
Impact on CBS News
CBS News faces around 100 job losses, including the overhaul of its "CBS Saturday Morning" program, which focused on features, food, and music. Most staff will be gutted, with anchors Dana Jacobson and Michelle Miller, and executive producer Brian Applegate expected to depart. Other exits include correspondents Deb Patta, Nikki Battiste, Nancy Chen, Janet Shamlian, Alturo Rhymes, Elise Preston, and contributor Lisa Ling. The Johannesburg bureau will close, with regional oversight shifting to London, and the race and culture unit will scale back. Streaming companions "CBS Evening News Plus" and "CBS Mornings Plus" are canceled.
The program had maintained steady ratings, enjoying one of its best starts in two decades for the first five weeks of the season, per Nielsen data.
Cuts in Entertainment and Streaming
CBS Entertainment saw layoffs in current programming, including senior vice presidents Pamela Soper and Amanda Palley. Marketing head Teri Fleming was affected, along with communications staff like Leslie Ryan and Jennifer Weingroff. At Paramount+, executive vice president of programming Jeff Grossman and senior vice president of corporate communications Patricia Kollappallil were let go.
Cable networks like MTV and CMT also faced reductions. MTV lost senior vice president of music and celebrity talent Wendy Plaut and vice president of music program development Amanda Culkowski. At CMT, senior vice president of music events Margaret Comeaux departed. These cuts reflect a shift away from original music series production.
One executive described the situation as "a bloodbath," noting uncertainty in reallocating remaining staff as new structures are planned.