NBC News announced and has begun implementing a round of layoffs affecting approximately 150 employees, representing about 7-8% of its staff and roughly 2% of the broader NBCUniversal News Group (which includes Telemundo and local stations). The cuts were communicated to staff during a brief 10 a.m. meeting led by executive vice president of editorial Catherine Kim, who described the day as “difficult.” This marks the second major layoff wave at NBC News this year, following about 40 cuts in January.
The primary drivers are tied to Comcast’s ongoing corporate restructuring, specifically the spin-off of its cable networks (including MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel) into a new publicly traded entity called Versant Media Group. This separation, expected to finalize later in 2025, will end shared infrastructure and newsgathering between NBC News and these outlets—MSNBC, for instance, ceased using NBC News correspondents and crews as of October 6 and plans full independence by October 20, potentially rebranding as “MS Now.”
Reasons — Declining linear TV ratings and ad revenue, as audiences migrate to streaming and digital platforms.
Cost-cutting to offset these losses, despite growth in NBC’s digital business.
In a memo to staff, NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde emphasized that the decisions were “necessary to remain strong as an industry leader” but “not easy,” and not a reflection on the affected employees’ performance.
The 150 positions eliminated are scattered across nearly every department, with no on-air anchors reportedly affected. About a dozen roles are being repurposed into new positions, and NBC News is actively hiring for around 140 open jobs group-wide. Laid-off employees are being encouraged to apply for these internal opportunities.
A significant portion of the cuts targeted specialized verticals focused on underrepresented communities, effectively shutting down:
NBC BLK (Black audiences)
NBC Latino
NBC Asian America
NBC OUT (LGBTQ+ issues)
These eliminations reflect a broader industry retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, amid federal scrutiny of such efforts at Comcast and cuts at other outlets like Gannett and Disney. Critics, including the NewsGuild of New York, argue the moves prioritize “corporate profits” over journalism quality.
NBC News plans to expand its digital and sports coverage, including a new “Sports Hub” in partnership with NBC Sports for events like the NBA’s return to NBC, the 2026 Milan Olympics, Super Bowl, and World Cup on Telemundo. A new marketing campaign is also in the works.
The NewsGuild of New York, representing many NBC staff, condemned the layoffs as evidence of management favoring profits over workers, stating, “Without whom there would be no NBC News.” This event underscores ongoing turbulence in traditional media, with similar cost-cutting at outlets like CBS News and amid economic pressures from ad market shifts. As of today, the process is ongoing, with more details expected as the Versant spin-off progresses.
Mo’ Kelly among others
As cited by Dick Ellingson in a Comment here, A new round of iHeart layoffs is on-going, cuts described as the company’s “biggest since January 2020.” These affected hundreds of employees across its approximately 10,000-person workforce—less than 5% overall but significant in programming, management, and on-air roles. The layoffs continue with additional names emerging, amid ongoing corporate restructuring. Earlier cuts in March and August 2024 targeted similar areas, reflecting broader industry pressures.
Timeline of 2024-2025 Layoffs
March 2024: Initial wave of job reductions, part of cost-saving measures post-pandemic.
August 2024: Programming-focused cuts, including multiple Program Directors (PDs) and Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) of Programming. Among those cuts were Carletta Blake (PD/middays at WGAR Cleveland) and Joey Bradfisch (mornings at KMXP Phoenix). The company reported a $981.66 million net loss for Q2 2024 the same day.
November 4-8, 2024: The major round, tied to a new operating structure and debt restructuring. CEO Bob Pittman addressed it during the Q3 earnings call on November 7, noting the goal to save $150 million by “eliminating redundancies” and expanding syndication. This hit managers, air talent, and regional leaders hardest.
October 2025: Follow-up effects, with more departures announced, including Tony Pike (afternoons at 700 WLW Cincinnati) and Hudson Hott (nights at KIOI San Francisco). These were part of “nationwide layoffs” impacting sports and music formats.
The cuts stem from iHeartMedia’s persistent financial challenges. The company carries billions in debt from its 2019 bankruptcy restructuring, exacerbated by declining ad revenue in traditional radio. Q3 2024 saw an operating loss widening to $910 million from $897 million the prior year.
Competition from music streaming (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music) has eroded linear radio listenership. iHeart is pivoting to digital audio and podcasts, which grew revenue in Q3, but not enough to offset losses.
Moves to consolidate markets, reduce redundancies, and boost technology use for efficiency. iHeart will continue to focus on syndication (e.g., national shows replacing local ones) to cut costs. Bob Pittman is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc. and stated, “There’s not a slot for everybody.” Critics argue this prioritizes short-term savings over local content quality.
More expected
Notable Departures (partial list from reports)
Tony Pike
Afternoons, 700 WLW Cincinnati
10+ years; continues Bearcats play-by-play.
Sean Salisbury
Co-host, SportsTalk 790 Houston
Recent extension; “caught off guard.”
Hudson Hott
Nights, KIOI San Francisco; Fill-in, KYSR Los Angeles
20+ years in radio; relocated recently.
Carletta Blake
PD/Middays, WGAR Cleveland
Programmed since 2019.
Glory Langston
Senior Promotions Manager, Raleigh
19 years with cluster; 24 in radio.
Kathryn Harris
Sales, Fairbanks, AK
Nearly 30 years starting in 1996.
Kara Leigh
On-air, 94.5 The Buzz Dallas
21 years total; called it her “dream job.”
Matt Appleby
PD/Afternoons, WNCO-FM Ashland, OH
39 years at station; 42 in broadcasting.
Hudson Hott
October 21, 2025 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
Cool name. Another was Joe Crummy back in the ’80s on KFI.
I think a good air name in the Bay Area would be Frisco Fogg.