Disney layoffs 2026 mark the first major workforce move under new leadership at The Walt Disney Company, as incoming chief executive Josh D’Amaro moves to streamline operations amid mounting industry pressures.
The company is set to eliminate around 1,000 roles across multiple divisions, according to people familiar with the matter. The cuts will primarily impact the marketing organization, which was recently restructured, as well as parts of Disney’s studio and television operations, ESPN, product and technology teams, and certain corporate functions.
In an internal communication to employees, D’Amaro emphasized the need for greater agility as the media landscape continues to evolve rapidly. He emphasized the importance of building a more technology-focused workforce capable of adapting to changing consumer behavior and industry dynamics.
The layoffs come at a time when traditional media companies are navigating structural shifts. Linear television continues to decline, box office performance has become less predictable, and competition from streaming platforms remains intense. Peers such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global have also undertaken workforce reductions as part of broader cost-cutting and restructuring efforts.
For Disney, the move echoes earlier efforts to improve financial performance. In 2023, the company announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs as part of a $5.5 billion cost-saving program, a period during which it faced pressure from activist investor Nelson Peltz to boost margins and address losses in its streaming business.
The latest cuts suggest that cost discipline remains a priority, even as Disney continues to invest in its core growth areas, including streaming, intellectual property, and technology-driven experiences.
As of the end of its last fiscal year, Disney employed approximately 231,000 people globally, indicating that the current round of layoffs, while significant, represents a targeted restructuring rather than a broad-based workforce reduction.
The changes also highlight a broader recalibration underway across the entertainment industry, where companies are shifting resources toward digital platforms and seeking to balance growth investments with profitability.
For investors, the move signals a continued focus on operational efficiency under new leadership, as Disney adapts to an industry increasingly defined by streaming economics and evolving audience preferences.
