HBO Suffers Big Layoffs After Discovery Merger

The bloodbath continues at Warner Bros. Discovery, as the newly formed conglomerate is planning to lay off 70 content staffers from across HBO and HBO Max. The news was confirmed to IndieWire by Warner Bros. Discovery representatives.

The layoffs represent 14% of Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys’ staff, and the eliminated positions are primarily focused on reality content, though other departments including casting and acquisition will also be impacted. Such a move has been expected for quite some time, given Warner Bros.

 Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s plan to combine HBO Max and Discovery Plus into a single streaming service. The two services are a natural fit, considering HBO Max’s prestigious scripted shows and Discovery Plus’ highly profitable reality content. Many observers thought that shedding some overlapping positions was always going to be inevitable.

HBO Max’s fate has been the subject of plenty of speculation in recent weeks, with Warner Bros. Discovery sending conflicting signals about the fate of the popular streaming service. The company recently made waves when it scrapped plans to release several HBO Max original movies, including “Batgirl,” and removed multiple other movies and series from the service.

The moves seem to be part of a shift away from expensive prestige streaming content, with the company redirecting resources towards large theatrical films and relying on cheaper content to fill its streaming services.

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.