200 Layoffs at Disney-ABC

BURBANK: Disney-ABC Television Group is laying off about 200 employees, with a further 200 unfilled positions to be eliminated, following a round of cuts at sister unit ESPN.

The cuts will impact all units of Disney’s TV group, as part of cost-cutting measures in light of the economic downturn. The news of the Disney-ABC layoffs follows ESPN’s announcement that it would eliminate 200 jobs within the year.

Anne Sweeney, the co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television Group, is said to have told employees in a memo: "After months of making hard decisions across our businesses to help us adjust to a weakening economy, we’re now faced with the harsh reality of having to eliminate jobs in some areas."

NBC Universal, Time Warner and Viacom have all annouced job cuts in the wake of the worsening economy.