Paramount set to begin laying off 1,000 workers in first round of cuts

Core Insights - Paramount Pictures is expected to lay off 1,000 employees as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and streamline operations under new leadership [1][2][3] - The layoffs represent approximately 10% of Paramount's workforce, with an additional 1,000 job cuts anticipated in the future [2] - The company's new owners aim to eliminate over $2 billion in expenses, marking a significant shift in operational strategy [3] Company Impact - The layoffs will affect various divisions within Paramount, including CBS, CBS News, and Comedy Central, as well as the Melrose Avenue film studio [2] - This follows a previous reduction of over 800 employees, or about 3.5% of the workforce, in June, attributed to declining cable subscriptions and a focus on streaming [4] - The company has been undergoing staff reductions for several years, with a total of 2,000 positions, or 15% of its staff, eliminated in 2024 [4] Industry Context - The layoffs at Paramount are part of a larger trend of contraction in the entertainment and tech sectors, with other companies like Amazon and Meta also announcing significant job cuts [6] - Charter Corp. also recently eliminated 1,200 management jobs, indicating a broader impact on the media and production economy, particularly in Los Angeles [7]