Disney Layoffs Continue
Disney Implements Third Round of Job Cuts Amid Restructuring, Impacting Pixar, ESPN, and National Geographic
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Key Points
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Disney's latest round of layoffs includes just under 100 job cuts across Disney Entertainment Group, with National Geographic identified as the most affected within Disney Entertainment Television and ABC News staffers also impacted.
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Pixar is the studio with the largest number of cuts, and Toy Story 5 has grossed about $957 million worldwide toward a $1 billion milestone, while insiders point to the underperformance of Hoppers and the troubled production of Elio as factors behind the layoffs.
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National Geographic is singled out as the hardest-hit brand within Disney Entertainment Television.
Disney has laid off hundreds of employees across multiple divisions, with Pixar suffering the largest cuts in the latest wave of reductions, according to The Wrap. The move marks the third major round of layoffs this year as the company reshapes itself under its "One Disney" restructuring plan.
High-profile ESPN on-air talent, including Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark, are among those let go, showing the cuts reach well beyond behind-the-scenes roles. Disney says the changes are part of a "continual reassessment" of resources meant to reinvest in the business.
Pixar Takes the Hardest Hit at the Studios
Pixar faces the biggest cuts of any Disney studio, IGN reports. This is the largest round of Pixar layoffs in two years — since the release of Inside Out 2 in 2024. Insiders point to two projects as key factors: the underperformance of Hoppers and the troubled production history of Elio.
The cuts come even as Pixar's Toy Story 5 sits near a major box-office milestone. The film has grossed about $957 million worldwide, closing in on $1 billion, according to Screen Rant. Still, Disney appears to be trimming the studio's headcount to match a leaner creative pipeline going forward.
ESPN and National Geographic Feel the Cuts Too
Across Disney Entertainment Television, National Geographic is identified as the hardest-hit brand. ABC News staffers are also impacted. In total, just under 100 jobs are being cut across the Disney Entertainment Group, IGN reported.
At ESPN, the layoffs are tied in part to the ongoing integration of NFL Network assets into the sports network. Disney says that merger process has driven staffing reductions across ESPN and related areas. On-air names like Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark losing their roles signals these are not just back-office cuts.
One Disney Framework Drives Ongoing Restructuring
Disney framed the cuts as part of its broader "One Disney" strategy — a plan to streamline operations and remove overlap across its many divisions. Leadership said it would support affected workers through the transition. The company described the process as a continual review, not a one-time event.
This is the third time in 2025 Disney has announced significant job reductions. Each round has targeted a different mix of divisions, from corporate functions to film studios to television. Head Topics noted the moves reflect Disney's push to reallocate spending toward growth areas like streaming and live sports.
Stock Reacts Positively Despite Workforce Reductions
Disney's stock moved higher on news of the layoffs, according to TipRanks. Investors tend to reward cost-cutting moves, seeing them as signs that management is getting leaner and more focused. Disney has faced pressure to improve margins as it navigates the expensive transition from linear TV to streaming.
The company has not confirmed an exact total number of jobs cut across all divisions in this round. But with Pixar, ESPN, National Geographic, and ABC News all impacted, the scope is clearly wide. More adjustments could follow as the One Disney integration continues through the rest of the year.
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