Hundreds of layoffs expected at Warner Bros., HBO: report | TheHill – The Hill

The WarnerMedia news comes one month after AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson retired.

WarnerMedia is apparently set to lay off at least 800 staffers at Warner Bros. and HBO as part of a restructuring plan by CEO Jason Kilar.

AT&T bought Time Warner in 2018 for $85 billion, making it among the largest media business in the world.

“I recognize this is a lot to take in. And none of us should expect the above changes to be easy. That stated, we are successfully navigating a pandemic together and I understand that, nevertheless challenging the above changes might be, we will likewise effectively navigate them too. As each of you take a while to digest the above, I hope that you become more and more stimulated by how, together, we are boldly leaning into the future and this historical chance that is best in front of us. It is an honor to be on this team with each of you,” he concluded.

“These modifications, which are neither timid nor without threat, are possible in part due to the fact that we are missionaries that eventually think we can and will change the world through story. That is what this all returns to,” he wrote in the memo.

Kilar, 49, said in a memo to personnel recently that the restructuring is essential, adding that the modifications are ” neither shy nor without threat.”

Variety, mentioning unidentified sources, reported that Warner Bros. is anticipated to lay off 650 individuals starting Monday, while HBO is expected to lose as much as 175 staffers.

Nearly all media business have experienced layoffs, furloughs or restructuring due to tumbling advertisement revenue given that the coronavirus closed down much of the nation in March.

“I believe it is essential that we change how we are arranged, that we simplify, and that we act boldly and with urgency,” Kilar included.

The Hill has actually reached out to WarnerMedia for comment.