Corus Entertainment, the parent company of the Global Television Network and several radio stations, has announced significant programming adjustments nationwide that will lead to the elimination of numerous positions. This decision comes as Corus faces ongoing challenges with declining advertising revenue and increasing debt.
According to Unifor, the labor union representing numerous media professionals, including those at Corus, a total of 43 jobs will be impacted by the restructuring. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, expressed concerns about the impact on local news, especially in Western Canada, due to the consolidation.
The breakdown of job reductions by region includes 28 positions in Alberta, 2 in British Columbia, 5 in Winnipeg, 2 in Saskatoon, 3 in the Maritimes, and 3 in Ontario. Corus, based in Toronto, emphasized in an internal memo obtained by CBC News that these changes are essential to ensure operational sustainability and provide increased flexibility.
While some production of Global News broadcasts for Alberta will be centralized under the new plan, Corus assured that local news content will still be produced in provincial studios. The company also mentioned plans to introduce additional undisclosed roles to support local news delivery.
One of the affected individuals, Scott Roberts, co-anchor of Global Edmonton’s 6 p.m. newscast, shared his disappointment on Instagram, stating that he will no longer be reporting the evening news due to the company’s substantial cuts to local news.
Corus confirmed its commitment to maintaining local news delivery in Calgary and Edmonton despite centralizing production roles. The company’s spokesperson, Annie Arnone, stated that additional positions will be created to sustain news programming in these areas.
The recent declines in radio and TV revenue have been a significant concern for Corus, with CEO John Gossling attributing the challenges to ongoing pressure on linear television advertising demand. The company’s shares have plummeted by nearly 70% over the past year, primarily due to financial difficulties linked to its acquisition of Shaw Media in 2016.
To alleviate its debt burden, Corus recently secured approval for a debt-for-equity swap with its lenders, aiming to reduce its debt load significantly. The company emphasized the importance of this transaction in addressing its financial challenges and potentially saving up to $40 million annually in interest costs.
The layoffs at Corus follow similar job cuts at other major players in the industry, including Bell Canada and Rogers Sports & Media. Rogers recently announced the elimination of 230 jobs, mainly in radio stations across multiple Canadian cities, while Bell Canada confirmed plans to cut nearly 700 positions last month. BCE, Bell Canada’s parent company, had previously reduced its workforce by nine percent in 2024, affecting approximately 4,800 jobs and leading to the divestment of several media assets.
Overall, these industry-wide changes reflect the evolving landscape of media organizations as they navigate financial challenges and adapt to shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics.
