Layoffs at ABC News

It appears that ABC News is trimming their workforce as they head into 2021.

In an internal memo to the staff, ABC News president James Goldston said that the personnel reductions were “necessary” as the company adapts to changes in the business.

That change means doing more with less.

FTVLive told you yesterday that cuts are believed to be coming to the ABC O&O stations as well. News management at some of the ABC O&O’s have told FTVLive that they need to look at where they can make cuts to save money.

Here is the internal memo that Goldston sent to the staff at ABC News informing them of the upcoming cuts.

Team, 

I want to let you know about some changes in the news division. 

2020 has been a transformative year in our industry. The pandemic accelerated the audience’s interest in streaming, including in news and information, and generated significant challenges across all our businesses, including ABC News, that have lasted far longer than anyone could have predicted. 

Unfortunately, as we position ABC News for the future, we’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our workforce in a few areas. The people whose jobs are affected have all been notified, and they will leave the company early next year. 

These decisions are never made lightly. We’re parting ways with people we have worked with and who have made so many important contributions to ABC News. I’m deeply thankful for their years of service and tireless dedication to help our audience better understand the world. I’m working with our HR teams and managers to do everything we can to support them through this transition. Both I and all of our leaders are here to help and to answer any questions that you may have in the coming days. 

As hard as this moment is for our colleagues, it is necessary as we adapt to changes in our business and how the company is organized by consolidating some functions and moving people into roles essential to our growth in the long term. 

In a few weeks I’ll unveil our priorities for 2021. We’ll continue to invest in our flagship brands and programs, live breaking news, streaming content and our signature long form storytelling while building on the exceptional standards of journalism that distinguish ABC News. 

The last nine months have been unsettling both professionally and personally for everyone. I’m very proud of the excellent work straight across ABC News this year. We’ve helped inform millions of people when they needed news from a source they can trust. 

Through an historic pandemic, a racial reckoning, a consequential election and beyond, you’ve shown incredible determination and resilience under extraordinary circumstances, and I am grateful to every one of you.

James