Disney is laying off staffers in its studio division — including six individuals at Searchlight — according to an individual with knowledge of the situation. A rep for Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the number of employees affected, but Variety reported that the cuts involved at least 50 staffers and the elimination of several hundred open positions.
Disney’s studio marketing group along with its theatrical stage team in New York will also be impacted. The reductions follow the news that ESPN is eliminating 500 jobs in an effort to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro informed his staff on Thursday.