CW is laying off more than two dozen publicity and development employees
The CW has laid off several employees from its publicity and program development teams. Variety has learned.
This is according to a source close to the situation Variety that just over twenty employees have been affected by this round of cuts. The individual says the decision was made as the network focuses more on sports, unscripted content and select scripted series in its continued goal to achieve profitability under new ownership Nexstar.
CW President Brad Schwartz wrote in a memo to staff on Tuesday in part: “We are making these changes not because they are easy, but because we believe they are necessary to build a stronger future for The CW.” (Read the full memo below.)
In a statement to VarietyGary Weitman, Chief Communications Officer of Nexstar, said: “The CW continues to streamline and simplify the organization as we continue to transform the network to reach broader audiences, achieve profitability and position the company for success in the long term. Saying goodbye to valued colleagues is not something we take lightly and we intend to conduct this process carefully. We are also determined to get through this period of unprecedented change in the media industry and build a business that will thrive.”
The new cuts come less than a month after the Nexstar-owned broadcast network announced that CW network president Dennis Miller was stepping down from his position after just two years in the role.
Miller has led the CW since he was appointed by Nexstar CEO Perry Sook in the fall of 2022, alongside Schwartz, who joined the network as president of entertainment. The company extended Miller’s contract as president at the CW through 2027, but on October 16 it was announced that Miller would leave at the end of the year. Schwartz took over Miller’s title and responsibilities as network president when Miller moved into an advisory role beginning October 31.
Last week, Nexstar reported third-quarter 2024 earnings results, showing that the CW narrowed its losses by $36 million between July 1 and September 1. 30. However, the network’s total loss in the third quarter was not disclosed by Nexstar, which has owned the broadcaster since acquiring a majority stake from former parent companies Warner Bros. in 2022. Discovery and Paramount.
“During the quarter, we made further progress on our strategy for The CW, reducing operating losses by $36 million year-over-year and $119 million year-to-date,” Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said at the time. “We debuted NASCAR on the cable.”
On the CW this weekend, the NASCAR
Read Schwartz’s memo to staff about the layoffs:
Team:
Today we had to make one of the most difficult decisions a company can make: eliminating a number of positions. Saying goodbye to talented friends and colleagues is painful and deeply personal, and I know that each of these individuals has been an essential part of who we are. We’re making these changes not because they’re easy, but because we believe they’re necessary to build a stronger future for The CW.
Legendary media executive Peter Chernin once said, “The only jobs worth taking are the ones where you can start something or fix something.” We’ve worked tirelessly over the past two years to evolve and reimagine The CW, despite tough competition and incredible changes in our industry. It’s hard to believe what we’ve accomplished in such a short time. The journey has been challenging and meaningful, and there is still much work to be done.
We will continue to transform the network to reach broader and larger audiences, continue our march to profitability and continue to position The CW for long-term success.
We’re heading into 2025 with more live sports than ever, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series, WWE NXT, PAC-12 Football, ACC Football and Basketball, and more. We produce exciting new game shows like Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit, unscripted hits like Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Police 24/7, and returning scripted favorites like Sullivan’s Crossing, Wild Cards and All American.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to remaining agile, always open to change and willing to adapt and grow. To those leaving, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done to shape The CW. For those who keep going, let’s keep working hard, pushing boundaries and building something we can all be proud of.
Honestly,
Brad
