Corus Entertainment, the parent company of the Global Television Network and various radio stations, is set to implement programming adjustments nationwide leading to numerous job cuts. This decision comes amidst Corus facing a continuous decline in advertising revenue and increasing debt.
The union, Unifor, representing numerous media employees, including those at Corus, disclosed that 43 positions will be eliminated. Unifor’s national president Lana Payne highlighted concerns about the impact on local news, particularly in Western Canada.
The breakdown of the job reductions per region includes 28 in Alberta, 2 in British Columbia, 5 in Winnipeg, 2 in Saskatoon, 3 in the Maritimes, and 3 in Ontario.
According to an internal memo obtained by CBC News, Corus emphasized that these changes are essential to sustain their operations and enhance flexibility. While some production of Global News broadcasts for Alberta will be centralized, local news content will still be produced in the province. Corus also mentioned plans to introduce new roles to support local news delivery.
Scott Roberts, co-anchor of Global Edmonton’s 6 p.m. newscast, expressed his disappointment on Instagram about the significant cuts to local news, which will impact his role and his colleagues. The Western Standard news website initially reported the developments at Corus.
Corus affirmed its commitment to maintaining local news delivery in Calgary and Edmonton despite centralizing production. The company plans to add new roles to continue offering news programming in these markets.
Chief executive officer John Gossling of Corus attributed double-digit declines in radio and television revenue to sustained pressure on linear television advertising demand. The company’s shares have plummeted approximately 70% in the last year due to mounting financial challenges stemming from the 2016 acquisition of Shaw Media.
Corus recently secured approval for a debt-for-equity swap aimed at reducing its debt burden. The company estimated that this transaction could save up to $40 million annually in interest costs. These layoffs coincide with similar staff reductions at industry rivals, including Bell Canada and Rogers Sports & Media.
Rogers recently announced the elimination of 230 jobs, while Bell Canada disclosed plans to cut nearly 700 positions last month as part of broader restructuring efforts. Bell Canada had previously reduced its workforce by nine percent in 2024, resulting in approximately 4,800 job losses.