NBC News is undergoing a dramatic restructuring that has left around 150 employees out of work, stirring concern across the journalism community.
The layoffs come as the media giant prepares to separate its MSNBC and CNBC operations into a new publicly traded company, Versant Media Group, a move that has raised questions about the future of diverse reporting.
Cuts Impact Coverage of Black, Latino, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ Communities
Among the staff affected are those covering NBC’s specialized verticals, including NBC BLK, NBC Latino, NBC Asian America, and NBC Out.
These teams, which focused on Black, Latino, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ communities, will no longer exist in their current form.
While stories on these groups will still be published, The Wrap reports that only a handful of employees—possibly as few as five—may continue contributing coverage in these areas.
Outrage From Advocacy Groups and Media Critics
The layoffs have sparked outrage from advocacy groups and media critics alike.
Rich Ferraro, communications officer at LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, called the cuts a “dangerous pattern of mainstream media” that risks losing “trusted and talented journalists.”
Ferraro told The Advocate, “This is a terrible and poorly-timed loss for journalism and for our democracy.”
Corporate Split Drives Strategic Restructuring
The layoffs are part of NBC’s broader corporate reshuffle.
Comcast is separating MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and the Golf Channel under the new parent company, Versant Media Group.
The restructuring aims to streamline operations and focus on individual brands rather than the corporate umbrella, according to Versant CEO Mark Lazarus, who told CNBC, “We’re going to focus on the individual brands that we have, not the corporate name.
It’s going to be used for business-to-business purposes.”
Some Roles Repurposed Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
While the layoffs have triggered concern, sources indicate that roughly a dozen positions are being repurposed into new roles within the reorganized company.
NBC emphasizes that the cuts were not targeting any specific group but were part of cost efficiency measures as the split proceeds.
These moves follow previous reductions, such as the elimination of NBC’s shared graphics team in September.
Looking Ahead to Versant’s Launch
The split is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with Versant Media Group taking over operations for the cable networks involved.
The changes mark a significant shift for NBC News and its diverse reporting verticals, leaving industry observers and advocacy groups watching closely to see how coverage of marginalized communities will be maintained in the new structure.