Next Media Services has laid off several employees in a “digital realignment and restructuring”.
This is according to a statement released by Desire Derekford Mugumisa, the Head of Corporate Affairs.
“Following the conclusion of our Group CEO’s engagements across the group on how best we can realign Next Media’s digital strategy to the global digital agenda by the ongoing global technological advancements, the group has, over this week, undertaken a restructuring process to serve our audiences more effectively,” reads the statement.
It said the management and the board had to make the difficult decision to have “some transformers step down from their roles with us effective Wednesday, November 30, 2022”.
Kin Kariisa, the CEO of the Group which runs NBS Television, said this has been one of the most difficult decisions the group has ever had to make.
“With ever-evolving global trends and med consumption habits, our business needs to continue effectively serving its consumers, partners and stakeholders. We believe now is the best time to realign and act towards remaining relevant in our highly competitive environment.”
NMG to lay off more staff
Meanwhile, Nation Media Group which runs several newspapers, radio and television stations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, has also announced plans to lay off more staff.
At the start of the month, NMG made changes to its top management as it positions itself for the modern digital transformation journey.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Gitagama, said the group had engaged Financial Times Strategies to advise on the transformation.
Gitagama described the impending layoffs as “reorganising the company’s workforce”.
“On November 4, 2022, we announced changes to accelerate our business transformation agenda to assure our success in the long term and the sustainability of our journalism. We take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone for the role they continue to play in our transformation journey with diligence, commitment and passion,” Gitagama said.
He said the company will continue to refocus on priority areas to deliver on the transformation while adequately resourcing and placing staff into areas where their skills are best utilised.
“Regrettably, this refocus will result in a reorganisation of our workforce. This is an extremely difficult decision in view of the prevailing business environment,” he added.
According to reports, the Standard Group is also said to be conducting a similar exercise to lay off staff members.
CNN, CBS announce layoffs
CNN chief, Chris Licht, has told staff to prepare for a round of layoffs.
The cuts have been anticipated as CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery is looking for cost reductions across the company as it tries to bring down debt.
Licht said in a memo that those losing their jobs will be notified Wednesday or Thursday. He did not detail the extent of the cuts.
Licht has already said the network will cut back at CNN Originals, the unit that acquires and produces documentary series and films.
AMC Networks announced it will make significant cuts across its business. Walt Disney Co. has also said it will impose a hiring freeze; Comcast has offered buyouts to longtime employees and Paramount Global is reducing personnel as part of a company reorganization.
CBS Studios on Wednesday announced a reorganization of its TV stations group that will also result in an undisclosed number of layoffs.
Streaming companies have also reduced staff, with Roku cutting 200 positions in response to a downturn in its advertising business.
It was billionaire Elon Musk who opened the retrenchment frenzy with the layoff of Twitter employees.
Facebook parent company Meta followed suit by laying off 11,000 employees.
Amazon also announced it had plans to lay off thousands of employees in massive job cuts.