Paramount's Major Shake-Up: What You Need to Know About the Widespread Layoffs

Paramount Skydance is making some huge waves, kicking off a massive round of layoffs that saw approximately 1,000 employees depart this week across its television networks, streaming services, and iconic movie divisions. And get this: another 1,000 job cuts are expected to follow soon.

TL;DR: Quick Bites on Paramount's Big Changes

Paramount Skydance laid off roughly 1,000 employees this week as part of its post-merger restructuring, with another 1,000 cuts anticipated in the coming months.
Divisions including CBS News, Paramount+, MTV, CMT, and Paramount Pictures were heavily impacted, leading to canceled streaming shows, revamped TV programs, and significant executive departures.
CEO David Ellison emphasizes these cuts are crucial for achieving $2 billion in cost savings and repositioning Paramount for long-term growth through strategic investments.

If you've been following the media world, you know that Paramount Global and Skydance Media officially merged back in August. Now, under the leadership of CEO David Ellison, the newly formed Paramount Skydance is making some serious moves to reshape its future, and that includes some incredibly tough decisions about its workforce.

The Big Picture: Numbers and Reasons Behind the Mass Departures

The first major round of layoffs hit on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, affecting about 1,000 employees, primarily within the company's domestic operations. But this isn't the end of it; sources indicate that another wave of approximately 1,000 layoffs is expected in the coming weeks and months, likely focusing on international operations.

So, why the huge shake-up? CEO David Ellison, who took the helm in August, made it clear in a memo to staff that these steps are "necessary to position Paramount for long-term success." He explained that the company is "addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization" and "phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth." Basically, it's all about streamlining operations and cutting costs – a hefty $2 billion in savings, to be precise, was promised after the merger.

While the company frames these changes as strategic, the human impact is undeniable. One Paramount Skydance executive told Variety, "It’s a bloodbath. I don’t know who’s going to be left to do the work." This sentiment reflects the immense pressure and uncertainty employees are facing.

CBS News Undergoes a Radical Transformation

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Perhaps one of the most talked-about areas impacted by the layoffs is CBS News, where nearly 100 positions were eliminated. The changes here are sweeping, affecting programs, bureaus, and entire units.

Major Changes to CBS News Programming and Staff

Canceled Streaming Shows: "CBS Mornings Plus" and "CBS Evening News Plus" have been axed. "CBS Mornings Plus," co-hosted by Adriana Diaz and Tony Dokoupil, aired its final episode on Friday. The "CBS Evening News Plus" streaming offshoot also saw its executive producer, Alturo Rhymes, let go.
"CBS Saturday Morning" Revamp: The 28-year-old "CBS Saturday Morning" program is set for a "radical revamp." Co-anchors Michelle Miller, Dana Jacobson, and executive producer Brian Applegate are reportedly on their way out. The show's ratings have slipped, making it "too expensive," according to new leadership. It's losing about two-thirds of its staff and will now be overseen by "CBS Mornings" executive producer Shawna Thomas, with much of the weekday staff pulling double duty. New hosts are still TBD.
Bureau Closures and Unit Gutting: The Johannesburg, South Africa bureau has been closed, leading to the departure of senior foreign correspondent Deborah Patta. Multiple staffers in the London bureau were also impacted. Alarmingly, the entire Race and Culture Unit was shuttered, with about eight or nine staffers laid off. Joelle Martinez, the Los Angeles bureau chief, was also ousted.
Veteran Departures: Long-serving journalist and "CBS Evening News" co-anchor John Dickerson announced he’s leaving the network at the end of the year, with Maurice DuBois also expected to exit. Claudia Milne, the network's head of standards, recently departed as well.

Bari Weiss's New Role and the Future of CBS News

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These cuts at CBS News come just weeks after David Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as the network's new editor-in-chief, following Paramount Skydance's $150 million acquisition of her startup, The Free Press. While the layoffs were reportedly in the works before Weiss's arrival, she and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski have been deeply involved in budget reviews and are set on reshaping the network.

During a morning editorial call, Weiss acknowledged the difficulty, stating, "This is just an enormously difficult day for so many people that have given years of their lives to this company, and I’m sorry, and want to support everyone in whatever way I can. My door is open."

"In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization. In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth. Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success."

— David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance

Weiss's mission, as described by Ellison, is to "restore balance" to the news unit. She and Cibrowski are looking to cut expensive correspondents and shows to bring in new talent, revamp "60 Minutes," and beef up investigative reporting. There's also been chatter about courting high-profile on-air talent like Fox News's Bret Baier and CNN's Anderson Cooper, though both have reportedly declined. Some of Weiss's early suggestions have raised eyebrows, like mistakenly suggesting "The Da Vinci Code" author Dan Brown discuss a Louvre heist, leading to jokes about "The Thomas Crown Affair."

Adding another layer to the CBS News changes, Skydance reportedly promised FCC Chairman Brendan Carr that the new Paramount would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the company before the merger was approved by the Trump administration.

Beyond the News: Impact on Other Paramount Divisions

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The restructuring isn't confined to news. Numerous other divisions felt the crunch, from streaming services to linear cable networks and even the iconic movie studio.

Streaming and Cable Networks Face Personnel Changes

Paramount+: Executive Vice President of Programming Jeff Grossman and Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Patricia Kollappallil were laid off.
Paramount Global Content Distribution: Teri Fleming, EVP and Head of Marketing, and Jennifer Weingroff, SVP of Communications, were among those impacted.
MTV and CMT: These cable networks saw significant cuts within their communications and talent teams. Wendy Plaut, SVP and Head of Music & Celebrity Talent at MTV, and Amanda Culkowski, VP of Music Program Development and Documentaries for MTV/Paramount+, are out. Margaret Comeaux, SVP of Music Events and Production at CMT, also departed. These cuts highlight Paramount's shift away from its once-vibrant talent division, which focused heavily on original music series.
CBS Entertainment: Pamela Soper and Amanda Palley, both Senior Vice Presidents of Current Programming, were among the executives laid off.

Paramount Pictures Experiences Key Departures

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Even Paramount's storied motion picture divisions – including production, literary, marketing, and music – were affected. Many long-time "Melrose Ave lot vets" are exiting.

Notable Departures from the Movie Studio

Randy Spendlove: The President of Worldwide Music, a Grammy winner who had been with the studio since 2006 and worked on iconic soundtracks like "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls," has left.
Bryan Oh: SVP of Production, known for shepherding a K-pop music drama, departed.
Geoff Stier: EVP of Production, who oversaw films like "World War Z" and "True Grit," also exited.
Other Executives: Andres Alvarez (EVP Home Entertainment), Rachel Cadden (EVP International Theatrical Marketing), Christine Benitez (SVP Multicultural Marketing), and Phil Cohen (SVP Literary Affairs) were also among those impacted.

Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein addressed staff, acknowledging the "difficult" day and expressing "deep gratitude" for their departing colleagues. They emphasized that "this restructuring marks a pivotal step in shaping the path forward" to "right-size our organization" and "refocus our energy" for future opportunities.

Ellison's Vision: Investing in Growth Amid Cuts

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Despite the widespread layoffs, David Ellison and his team are also committed to significant investments. President Jeff Shell previously stated at the August 7 press conference that "you can’t cut your way to growth in this business, you have to invest."

Ellison himself has reiterated plans to invest "significantly into our growth businesses." These investments include a monster $7.7 billion deal for UFC rights, the $150 million acquisition of Bari Weiss's The Free Press, film rights for the "Call of Duty" video game franchise, and a deal with the Duffer brothers (creators of "Stranger Things").

Beyond these investments, Paramount Skydance is also reportedly pursuing a takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that could potentially combine CBS News with CNN and further consolidate the media landscape. Initial offers have been rebuffed, but a strategic review is underway. On top of that, Ellison has also mandated a full return-to-office for Los Angeles and New York employees by January 5, 2026, offering buyouts to those unwilling to comply.

What This Means for Viewers and the Industry

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For us, the viewers, these changes mean a shift in the content we'll see. With streaming shows canceled and traditional programs revamped, Paramount is clearly consolidating its efforts and resources. The focus on "growth opportunities" and "aligning priorities" suggests a move toward content that aligns with Ellison's new strategic vision, potentially impacting the diversity of programming and news coverage.

The media industry continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, and Paramount Skydance's recent moves are a stark reminder of the constant need for adaptation, efficiency, and strategic investment in a competitive landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Paramount Layoffs

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When did the Paramount layoffs begin? The first major round of layoffs at Paramount Skydance began on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. How many employees were impacted in total? Approximately 1,000 employees were laid off in the initial round, with another 1,000 expected to follow in the coming weeks and months, totaling around 2,000 positions. Which divisions were most affected by these changes? Major impacts were seen across CBS News (including show cancellations and bureau closures), Paramount+ (streaming), cable networks like MTV and CMT, and various departments within Paramount Pictures' motion picture divisions. What is the main reason for these significant changes at Paramount? CEO David Ellison stated the layoffs are necessary to address redundancies, align roles with new strategic priorities, and position Paramount for long-term success, aiming to achieve $2 billion in cost savings post-merger with Skydance.

Sources:

Joe Otterson, Michael Schneider. "Paramount TV Layoffs Hit CBS Entertainment, Paramount+, MTV and More." Variety. October 29, 2025.
Alex Weprin. "Paramount Layoffs Begin; CEO David Ellison Says Cuts Are Key To Building ‘Strong, Future-Focused Company’." The Hollywood Reporter. October 29, 2025.
Anthony D'Alessandro. "Paramount Motion Picture Divisions Impacted By Layoffs: Randy Spendlove, Bryan Oh, Geoff Stier & More Exit." Deadline. October 29, 2025.
Brian Stelter. "Paramount begins steep layoffs as David Ellison reshapes the media giant." CNN Business. October 29, 2025.
Alyssa Norwin. "CBS News Bombshell: ‘Saturday Morning’ Show Reportedly Axed in Cost-Cutting Measure." TV Insider. October 29, 2025.
Natalie Korach. "Paramount’s Eye Strain." Puck. October 30, 2025.
Jon Stone. "CBS News staffers lose jobs in ‘bloodbath’ as part of sweeping cuts from Paramount." The Guardian. October 29, 2025.
Laura Italiano. "‘CBS Saturday Morning’ co-anchors Michelle Miller, Dana Jacobson out as show axed in budget cuts." New York Post. October 29, 2025.
Jon Stone. "Bari Weiss tells CBS News staff her ‘door is open’ as layoffs hit newsroom." The Independent. October 29, 2025.
David Rutz. "Paramount begins steep layoffs as David Ellison reshapes media giant." Fox News Digital. October 29, 2025.