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Credit: ABCWhen it comes to major news networks, ABC is one of the top ones that people tune into. Known for popular shows like World News Tonight, 20/20, Good Morning America, and Nightline, ABC News is frequently ranked as one of the most trusted sources for news. However, in recent months, the network has been struggling against competitors like CBS and NBC.
ABC’s struggles seemed to increase once they became a topic of attack by President Donald Trump. The president made it no secret that he didn’t like ABC and, at one point, demanded that Disney CEO Bob Iger fire everyone at the network.
Related: REPORT: Disney Employees in Revolt Against Bob Iger, “It’s Like Chapek on Steroids”
And while Iger has largely ignored Trump, he did recently hit ABC News with some huge layoffs.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Disney was planning on laying off around 200 employees, and the layoffs would be primarily focused on those who worked at ABC News. The large number of layoffs affected about six percent of the total number of employees.
Many were shocked to learn that some of the network’s staple shows, like Good Morning America and Nightline, would have to deal with the biggest changes and a huge leadership shakeup.
Related: ABC Star Arrested For Battery, Mug Shot Revealed
In a move that shocked staffers, high-level producers were laid off, and multiple shows were condensed and moved under one leader. Much of the staff of GMA3: What You Need to Know, the third hour of the popular morning show, were let go, including executive producer Catherine McKenzie. The production team responsible for producing Good Morning America will take over.
The sudden layoffs have reportedly left staffers distraught, confused, and worried about the future.
According to a report from The New York Post:
ABC News staffers described a grim atmosphere in the wake of the mass layoffs, with one employee telling Status that the cuts were akin to “a massacre.”
Some who spoke to the Post even compared surviving at the network to being in the hit Netflix show Squid Game:
The uncertainty and pressure of working in network television were compared to “Squid Game,” with an employee remarking, “You just feel like you’ve made it to level seven of ‘Squid Games’ at this point if you’ve survived.”
The employee added: “I don’t know if you have watched ‘Squid Game,’ but they put you in teams and they pit you against each other. And then they just watch and it’s brutal. And then even the people who win the prize in the end … they’re so unhappy. That is literally network TV.”
Other big names let go during the layoffs were Cindy Galli and Zach Toback. Ms. Galli was a one of the executive producers for ABC’s investigative team, and she focused on topics like government fraud, corporate corruption and consumer advocacy. Mr Toback was the vice president of news and non-fiction production and studio operations.
Almin Karamehmedovic is the president of ABC News, having taken over after Kim Godwin’s shocking exit in May 2024. It has been reported that Karamehmedovic has been relatively cold when it comes to the firings. He allegedly sounded like he was reading from a script, refused to answer questions, and quickly ended the calls.
These firings come as ABC News is reportedly struggling with its anchor show, Good Morning America. Michael Strahan is reportedly leaving when his contract is up later this year, and ABC is desperately trying to figure out who can replace him.
Do you think Disney and ABC News should be laying off so many people? Are they only hurting the network, or are the layoffs necessary? Share your thoughts in the comments!