Burbank, California | April 10, 2026
The Walt Disney Company is preparing to cut up to 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks, as its new leadership accelerates a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at reducing costs and reshaping the entertainment giant’s future.
The planned layoffs—primarily expected to impact the company’s newly consolidated marketing division—highlight growing pressure on Disney as it navigates streaming losses, weaker box office returns, and intensifying competition from tech platforms.
New CEO Moves Quickly on Cost Cuts
Sources indicate that layoffs have been under consideration since last month, continuing a broader downsizing trend that has already seen more than 8,000 roles eliminated since 2022.
Where the Cuts Are Happening
According to reports, most of the reductions will affect:
- Marketing teams under a newly unified structure
- Entertainment divisions
- ESPN and corporate roles
Notably, Disney’s parks and cruise businesses remain largely unaffected, with staffing levels continuing to grow in those segments.
The restructuring effort—internally referred to as “Project Imagine”—has centralized marketing operations across entertainment, sports, and experiences under Chief Marketing Officer Asad Ayaz.
Streaming Pressure and Industry Competition
Disney is also integrating Disney+ and Hulu into a single app, aiming to streamline user experience and improve profitability in its streaming business.
The move reflects broader industry challenges, including:
- Slower subscriber growth
- Rising content production costs
- Competition from major tech-driven streaming platforms
Workforce Snapshot
By the end of the last fiscal year, Disney employed over 230,000 people globally, including a large number of part-time workers in its theme parks.
While layoffs have impacted corporate and media divisions, the company continues to invest in high-growth areas tied to digital expansion and consumer experiences.
What’s Next for Disney
Although Josh D’Amaro has not publicly outlined a detailed long-term strategy, insiders say his immediate priority is improving coordination across divisions—a shift that many employees anticipated could lead to further job reductions.
