Canadian public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed on Monday that it is canceling 600 jobs, that is, it is reducing the number of its employees by 10%, due to “declining TV advertising revenues and fierce competition from IT giants”. The first layoffs are expected in the coming weeks, but “the majority of them” will proceed “over the next 12 months,” the public body added in a press release it released.
The 250 layoffs will be made at CBC, the Group’s English-language network, and an equal number at Radio-Canada, its French-language division; the rest will affect the technical department and support services.
Furthermore, the group stated that “almost 200 positions currently vacant” will be abolished.
“CBC/Radio-Canada is not immune to the turmoil facing the Canadian media industry,” said CBC/Radio-Canada president and chief executive Catherine Tate, saying that in the face of pressures the group lacks “the necessary flexibility to continue without reductions”.
“These pressures stem from the same structural factors that affect all Canadians mediamainly the increase in production costs, the decrease in TV advertising revenue and the wild rivalry of the giants of IT,” he added.
CBC/Radio-Canada also plans to reduce its spending on program production and purchase so it can save a total of $125 million in the financial year 2024/2025. This is a “black day” for the public broadcasting group and for access to information, commented the Radio-Canada workers’ union in a statement, reports APE-MPE. Many Canadian media outlets are currently in dire financial straits; the public group is not the first to announce layoffs. In early November, more than 500 TVA group workers were laid off, in other words its staff was reduced by about a third.
The CBC/Radio-Canada group had not seen such cuts since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government took office in 2015.
Source: News Beast
With 6 years of experience, I bring to the table captivating and informative writing in the world news category. My expertise covers a range of industries, including tourism, technology, forex and stocks. From brief social media posts to in-depth articles, I am dedicated to creating compelling content for various platforms.
