ESPN reportedly plans another big round of layoffs in the coming weeks
BY PETE GRATHOFF
NOVEMBER 10, 2017 9:10 AM
Once upon a time, “SportsCenter” was must-see television for fans. But ESPN’s one-time signature program apparently will be at the center of another round of layoffs that reportedly will happen in the coming weeks.
Sports Illustrated reported that more than 100 people will lose their jobs after Thanksgiving. This is from the SI story:
The layoffs, which were described by a person briefed on the plans, will hit positions across ESPN including front-facing talent on the television side, producers, executives, and digital and technology staffers. The SportsCenter franchise is expected to be hit hard—including on-air people—given the frequency of the show has lessened considerably on main network ESPN.
As more people drop cable in favor of streaming, ESPN has felt the financial pinch. In April, ESPN cut a number of long-time journalists as part of a round of layoffs that included 100 people.
According to the Los Angeles Times, ESPN weighed down the earnings of its parent company, Walt Disney, in a report on Thursday. The Times said that Disney’s “revenue declined 3 percent and the company failed to meet analysts’ expectations.”
The holiday season may seem like a harsh time to shed jobs. But Sports Illustrated said one reason why ESPN is planning the layoffs between Thanksgiving and Christmas is so employees can received another year in the stock vesting program.
Just my opinion, but ESPN without sports highlights has seemed a lot like MTV without music videos...they get in over their skis with people pushing their stuff on issues that I just don't care to watch ESPN for. [Reply]
Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief:
Just my opinion, but ESPN without sports highlights has seemed a lot like MTV without music videos...they get in over their skis with people pushing their stuff on issues that I just don't care to watch ESPN for.
I have not watched more than 10 minutes of ESPN since the draft in April. And those 10 were this week when Mahomes signed his deal. [Reply]
Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief:
Just my opinion, but ESPN without sports highlights has seemed a lot like MTV without music videos...they get in over their skis with people pushing their stuff on issues that I just don't care to watch ESPN for.
If MTV still showed videos they would be a channel that's dead in the water. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Coogs:
I haven't watched 10 minutes of MTV since the 90's.
That's probably good since their demo is females 15-35. I mean really their channel is based on things like teen mom, 16 and pregnant with some mix in of The Challenge and 87 shows with Rob Dyrdek. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Coogs:
I haven't watched 10 minutes of MTV since the 90's.
The few times I've turned it on I've seen a show called Ridiculousness that's made some stoned out of head girl famous for having a terrible laugh. And like Mecca said, shows promoting teenaged girls popping out kids. [Reply]
have never figured out how Ridiculousness has as much staying power as it does when it's just a more obnoxious version of Tosh.0, itself a show that was never all that good. At least Tosh has more personality I guess. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
That's probably good since their demo is females 15-35. I mean really their channel is based on things like teen mom, 16 and pregnant with some mix in of The Challenge and 87 shows with Rob Dyrdek.
Kinda of crazy that back in the 80's, my college days, our TV was pretty much on 24 hours a day. Ether ESPN or MTV. Even if no one was home. Lol! [Reply]
Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief:
Just my opinion, but ESPN without sports highlights has seemed a lot like MTV without music videos...they get in over their skis with people pushing their stuff on issues that I just don't care to watch ESPN for.
Man I miss the SportsCenter and ESPN of old. I used to be able to watch it for hours back in the 90s. They had so many great people on there. Now it is all about opinions and who has the most ridiculous take to rile up the people [Reply]