‘This is a sad day for broadcasters & broadcasting,’ Canadians react to Corus axing 300 more jobs by August – NOW Toronto

Around 300 more employees at Corus Entertainment Inc. will lose their jobs by August, sparking reactions from Canadians about the media giant’s uncertain future.

After laying off nearly 500 employees by the end of May, Corus Entertainment, the parent company of Global News, announced in its latest earnings call on Monday that it expects to cut 25 per cent of full-time employees by the end of August. 

“As part of our mandate as co-CEOs, we are decisively reducing more costs and taking actions to right-size our business given the realities of our operating environment,” Corus Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer John Gossling said in a statement. 

Additionally, the company plans to implement changes to its programming as it continues to “aggressively cut costs” in response to regulatory and advertising revenue challenges, along with licensing battles.

“We have made difficult decisions to part with certain legacy assets and are identifying additional opportunities to streamline our business with the aim of improving profitability,” Gossling added.

Since the news, reactions are pouring in on social media to the second round of layoffs this year for the media companyand concerns about its future.

“This is a sad day for broadcasters & broadcasting,” one X user said.

Simon Ostler, former Global News Toronto Managing Editor, reacted to the news on X saying, when his position was eliminated earlier this year, he “sadly, suspected more layoffs would be coming.”

“The news today of 25 per cent of positions being eliminated at Corus Entertainment is no doubt leaving many employees feeling extremely anxious. With this 6 months behind me now, I’m happy to chat if you want to talk to someone,” Ostler added, offering support to those impacted by the layoffs.

One X user emphasized the importance of supporting journalism by paying for reliable information.

“It’s time we realize that to have access to reliable information, you have to pay & support journalists. Nothing is free, being unwilling to pay for quality journalism puts info in the hands of $$ concerned with profitability. Look to the south: result of journalism dying,” the user said.

“Perhaps it is time the Canadian media market was opened to worldwide competition and a company like Corus could partner with an American network,” another X user added.

“7 years ago I raised the flag that outside of News and YTV Corus didn’t actually own any IP and needed to invest in making new things. They decided to triple down on more of the same. And now…,” an X user said.

Regarding the upcoming programming changes at Corus, one X user speculated that Disney might cut ties with the network. 

“More a matter or when, not if – just waiting to see Disney pull the plug on Corus and move their programming to another network and change their deal to get their shows on Disney+ same day as the USA,” the individual said.

Starting January 1, 2025, Corus Entertainment will no longer air shows from HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network, and OWN. The company is reviewing its lifestyle channels and plans to either retire some of them or rebrand others with top-rated Canadian and international programs, the company said in its statement. 

In June, Corus had also announced that it was cancelling popular reality TV show “Big Brother Canada” after 12 seasons.