Paramount Global has a tough quarter ahead, with more details emerging about deep job cuts that have long been anticipated as a necessary post-merger move.

Media reports are suggesting that the company could let go of anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 employees in a significant round of layoffs that will play out in early November. Kidscreen reached out to Paramount for comment, but is still waiting for a response.

This downsizing should come as no surprise, given that the company’s new owner Skydance Media has continually emphasized a broader strategy that includes achieving US$2 billion in savings. 

Paramount president Jeff Shell noted at a press event earlier this month that a deep cut in November will be painful, but the alternative is worse. “We do not want to be a company that has layoffs every quarter,” he explained. “So it is important for us to get done what we’re doing in one big thing and then be done with it.” 

The company previously outlined a 15% workforce reduction in its Q2 2024 report, and then cut 3.5% of its US workforce in June 2025. At the end of 2024—before this latest round of layoffs—Paramount had 18,600 employees globally. 

In more positive recent news, Paramount has been busy mapping out new leadership roles and also scored a four-year deal with the Duffer brothers last week.

Image: Unsplash/Hannah Wernecke