CBC announces 600 jobs cut, decrease in programming

Canada's public broadcaster is cutting 10 per cent of its workforce and slashing some programming to deal with a $125 million budget shortfall. CBC/Radio-Canada made the announcement Monday in a press release, adding that 600 union and non-union positions will be cut, and 200 vacant positions will be left unfilled. According to the CBC, its French and English-language services will cut 250 jobs, with the remaining cuts coming from the technology and infrastructure department, among other corporate positions. The cuts were attributed to rising production costs, declining television advertising revenue and competition from digital platforms. The broadcaster also forecasts it will face reductions to its parliamentary funding beginning in the next fiscal year, including the end of program integrity funding of $21 million received annually since 2021. "CBC/Radio-Canada is not immune to the upheaval facing the Canadian media industry. We've successfully managed serious structural declines in our business for many years, but we no longer have the flexibility to do so without reductions," said CBC president and CEO Catherine Tait. "We understand how concerning this is to the people affected and to the Canadians who depend on our programs and services. We will have more details in the months ahead, but we are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of these measures." CBC is set to curtail its budgets for English and French programming in the upcoming fiscal year, encompassing a reduction of approximately $40 million in independent production commissions and program acquisitions. This strategic move will decrease renewals and acquisitions, diminish the output of new television series and episodes for existing shows, and lower the number of original digital series. Earlier in the year, the corporation initiated a series of discretionary cost-cutting measures, amounting to more than $25 million. These measures encompassed reductions in travel, sponsorships, marketing activities, and the postponement of technology initiatives. "These reductions are being done in a way that maximizes the Corporation's flexibility, should its financial situation change next year, and minimizes the effects on our employees and the programs and services we provide to Canadians," the release states. Some cuts will take place immediately, with the rest happening over the course of 12 months. CBC is one of many broadcasters to announce cuts this year. BCE Inc. announced 1,300 layoffs, blaming the advertising market and a challenging regulatory environment. Corus Entertainment Inc. announced cuts in March, and Quebecor Inc.'s TVA Group saw the elimination of 547 positions or 31 per cent of the company's current workforce.

CBC announces 600 jobs cut, decrease in programming

Broadcast | December 4, 2023

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CBC announces 600 jobs cut, decrease in programming

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