Paramount Layoffs Coming Earlier, Could Start In Late October

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount has announced that its earnings call to discuss the company’s Q3 results will be on November 10. As such, it’s expected that the entertainment conglomerate will move up its reduction in force to the week of October 27. This is according to sources.

Originally, Paramount layoffs were expected to begin in early November, with 2,500-3,000 positions impacted. We understand that for stateside employees that number could be around 2,000, with overseas cost savings still being calculated. Note, the pink-slipping in late October is only the first round, with layoffs expected to continue until the end of the year.

The David Ellison-run corporation previously announced it was eyeing about $2 billion in cost savings post-merger; Skydance‘s purchase of Paramount closed August 7. Cuts are expected across theatrical, streaming, linear and all other divisions, with key executives having already departed. Paramount has 18,000 employees around the world, while Skydance has a staff that’s under 2,000.

Paramount declined comment Friday on the recent job cuts update.

“We do not want to be a company that has layoffs every quarter,” Paramount president Jeff Shell said at an August presser for the new Paramount. “So, it’s going to be painful. It’s always hard, but we don’t want to be a company that every quarter is laying people off.”

Ellison in a note to staff in early September told employees that they will be expected to work in the office five days a week beginning January 5, 2026. Those who prefer not to work in the office can explore a buyout.

Meanwhile, the new Paramount is preparing a potential $60 billion bid to take over Warner Bros Discovery.