Business

Disney Cuts Jobs at Pixar, ESPN, National Geographic

Business desk
NRI HeraldJuly 22, 2026
3 min read
Disney+ logo, relevant to Disney job cuts news

The cuts, which began this week, are part of a broader cost-saving initiative announced by Disney in February, targeting 7,000 positions across the company. The latest round primarily affects corporate and creative roles, with Pixar losing about 75 employees, including two producers, according to people familiar with the matter.

At National Geographic, the layoffs are concentrated in the magazine's editorial and digital operations, as Disney continues to integrate the media brand into its broader portfolio. ESPN is also trimming staff, with reductions across its digital and programming units, though the network's on-air talent is largely unaffected.

Disney has not disclosed the exact number of jobs eliminated in this round, but the company has said it expects total restructuring charges of about $5.5 billion. The layoffs are part of CEO Bob Iger's strategy to streamline operations and focus on core business areas, including streaming and theme parks.

The cuts come as Disney faces pressure to reduce costs amid a challenging media environment, with traditional cable subscriptions declining and streaming losses mounting. The company is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings next week, where executives are likely to provide more details on the restructuring's impact.

Business desk · July 22, 2026
The morning briefing
Get stories like this in your inbox, free.
Subscribe