Disney Plans Layoffs of Up to 1,000 Employees Under New CEO Josh D'Amaro

The Walt Disney Company is planning to eliminate as many as 1,000 jobs in a new round of layoffs under the leadership of recently appointed CEO Josh D'Amaro, according to sources familiar with the matter, as the entertainment giant implements another phase of cost-cutting measures to improve operational efficiency and financial performance. The planned workforce reduction represents D'Amaro's first major restructuring initiative since taking the helm of the company, signaling his commitment to streamlining operations amid ongoing challenges in the media and entertainment industry.

The layoffs come as Disney continues to navigate a complex business environment characterized by shifting consumer preferences in entertainment consumption, ongoing pressures in the traditional linear television business, and the need to balance investments in streaming services with profitability targets. D'Amaro, who previously led Disney's parks and experiences division before being promoted to CEO, is implementing cost reduction strategies across multiple business units as part of a broader effort to optimize the company's operational structure.

Sources indicate that the job cuts will likely affect various departments across the company, though specific divisions and timing details have not been finalized. The reduction represents a significant but measured approach to workforce optimization, reflecting Disney's need to balance cost management with maintaining the creative and operational capabilities necessary to produce content and manage its extensive entertainment properties and theme park operations.

The announcement follows previous rounds of layoffs at Disney over recent years as the company has worked to adapt its business model to changing market conditions, including the decline of traditional cable television viewership and increased competition in the streaming entertainment space. D'Amaro's leadership team is reportedly focusing on identifying redundancies and streamlining processes while preserving core creative and customer-facing capabilities that drive revenue growth.

Investors and industry analysts are closely watching Disney's cost management efforts as the company seeks to demonstrate improved financial discipline while continuing to invest in content creation, park improvements, and technological innovations. The layoffs are expected to generate cost savings that could be reinvested in strategic priorities, though the company will need to carefully manage the impact on employee morale and operational capabilities during the transition period.