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Layoffs coming at NBC News

NBC News will layoff a slew of staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Page Six is told. On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported that its parent company NBCUniversal planned to make widespread cuts at its operations across the country. Now sources tell us that some of those layoffs will be at NBC News, which produces flagships …

NBC News will layoff a slew of staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Page Six is told.

On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported that its parent company NBCUniversal planned to make widespread cuts at its operations across the country.

Now sources tell us that some of those layoffs will be at NBC News, which produces flagships including “NBC Nightly News”  and the “Today” show. We’re told that just under three percent of the workforce at the famed news division is being axed.

We revealed on Tuesday that long-term producer Jackie Levin, who helmed the 9 a.m. hour of “Today”, has accepted a buyout. She’s leaving the network after 26 years.

The cuts will be made across “all aspects” of staffing, we’re told.

A source said: “People are being told today — it’s what everyone had feared. This is not an easy time for anyone.”

NBC reported on Tuesday that the cuts across NBCUniversal will affect less than 10 percent of NBCUniversal’s overall workforce of 35,000 employees.

The layoffs will be company wide, hitting broadcast and cable networks, as well as its movie studio and theme parks.

It’s been a rough time for all major media companies.

Disney has made staff cuts, and WarnerMedia is expected to start cuts later this month, according to The Wall Street Journal.

An NBCUniversal spokesperson confirmed the layoffs and said they were the result of company restructuring as well as the pandemic.

NBCUniversal and Disney have been hit harder than many media companies because they also run major theme park businesses that have been forced to close during the lockdown.

NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast, reported a 25 percent decline in revenue for the second quarter. Disney said it took a $1.4 billion hit due to coronavirus-related expenses. Bob Iger has already returned.

NBCUniversal also implemented a pay cut for senior managers and some well-paid employees in May.

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