Corus Entertainment, the parent company of the Global Television Network and various radio stations, has announced programming adjustments nationwide that will lead to the elimination of numerous positions. This decision comes as Corus faces ongoing challenges with declining advertising revenues and escalating debt levels.
According to Unifor, the union representing numerous media professionals, including those at Corus, a total of 43 jobs are being axed. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, expressed concerns about the impact on local news, particularly in Western Canada, due to this consolidation.
The breakdown of job cuts by region includes 28 in Alberta, 2 in British Columbia, 5 in Winnipeg, 2 in Saskatoon, 3 in the Maritimes, and 3 in Ontario. In an internal memo obtained by CBC News, Corus stated that these changes are essential to ensure the sustainability of their operations and provide increased flexibility.
While some production of Global News broadcasts for Alberta will be centralized under the new plan, Corus emphasized that they will still produce local news content in provincial studios. The company also mentioned plans to introduce additional positions to support local news delivery.
Scott Roberts, co-anchor of Global Edmonton’s 6 p.m. newscast, revealed on Instagram that he will no longer be reporting the evening news due to significant cuts in local news. News of the restructuring at Corus was initially reported by the Western Standard news site.
Corus spokesperson Annie Arnone highlighted the company’s commitment to maintaining local news delivery in Calgary and Edmonton despite some roles being centralized. The spokesperson also mentioned that changes will be reflected on air in the coming weeks.
Corus CEO John Gossling cited persistent pressure on linear television advertising demand as the company reported substantial declines in radio and television revenue. Corus shares have plummeted nearly 70% over the past year, primarily due to financial challenges stemming from the 2016 acquisition of Shaw Media.
Corus recently received court approval for a debt-for-equity swap aimed at reducing its debt burden. This proposal involves some lenders forgiving around $500 million in debt in exchange for majority ownership of a new parent corporation. The company estimates potential annual interest cost savings of up to $40 million through this transaction.
The layoffs at Corus follow similar job losses at major competitors such as Bell Canada and Rogers Sports & Media. Rogers recently announced the elimination of 230 positions, while Bell Canada confirmed plans to cut nearly 700 jobs last month. BCE, the parent company of Bell Canada, previously reduced its workforce by nine percent in 2024, resulting in approximately 4,800 job cuts.
Overall, the media industry in Canada is experiencing significant restructuring and downsizing, reflecting the evolving landscape of broadcasting and advertising dynamics.
