NBCU News Group was undergoing a series of layoffs across its divisions on Thursday, impacting what was described as a double digit number of employees in its workforce.
A source familiar with the plans said that the number of those laid off would be in the 50 to 100 range out of several thousand employees. NBC News and MSNBC had a workforce of about 3,500 employees as of 2023. Those who are impacted will receive 60 days of notice before their employment ends, with a severance package and outplacement services.
The job cutbacks are the latest to hit a media outlet, with other organizations taking more severe action to trim their staffs. CNN cut hundreds of employees in 2022, while NPR last year trimmed about 10% of its workforce. The Washington Post recently offered buyouts that saw the departure of many well known journalists as it sought to cut its staff by 240.
The NBCU layoffs were described by a source as a move to focus on areas of priority and invest in areas of ongoing growth.
NBCU News Group also is still seeking to fill more than 150 open positions, with those impacted by the job cuts encouraged to apply for those positions, the source said.
NBCU News Group also underwent a round of layoffs a year ago, also in the double digits. Puck News first reported on the latest layoffs.