Corus Entertainment, the parent company of the Global Television Network and various radio stations, is set to undergo programming adjustments nationwide leading to the loss of multiple jobs. The decision is a response to Corus facing challenges with declining advertising revenue and increasing debt.
According to Unifor, the union representing numerous media workers, including those at Corus, a total of 43 positions will be eliminated. Unifor’s national president Lana Payne expressed concerns about the impact on local news, particularly in Western Canada, due to this restructuring.
The breakdown of job reductions by region includes 28 in Alberta, 2 in British Columbia, 5 in Winnipeg, 2 in Saskatoon, 3 in the Maritimes, and 3 in Ontario. In an internal memo obtained by CBC News, Corus emphasized the necessity of these changes to ensure operational sustainability and enhance flexibility.
While some production of Global News broadcasts for Alberta will be centralized under the new plan, Corus assures that local news content will still be produced in provincial studios. The company also plans to introduce undisclosed new positions to support local news delivery.
Scott Roberts, co-anchor of Global Edmonton’s 6 p.m. newscast, announced on Instagram that he will no longer be reporting the evening news due to significant cutbacks in local news production. The news of Corus’ restructuring was initially reported by the Western Standard news website.
Corus spokesperson Annie Arnone affirmed the company’s commitment to local news delivery in Calgary and Edmonton despite centralizing some production roles. The company refrained from commenting on specific personalities affected by the changes but stated that adjustments would be visible on air in the following weeks.
Corus CEO John Gossling cited ongoing challenges in linear television advertising demand as the company reported notable declines in radio and television revenue. Corus shares have experienced a substantial decrease of nearly 70% over the past year, primarily tied to financial issues stemming from the acquisition of Shaw Media in 2016.
Recent job cuts at Corus follow similar layoffs at industry counterparts Bell Canada and Rogers Sports & Media. Rogers recently announced the elimination of 230 positions, including the closure of radio stations in multiple Canadian cities. Bell Canada also confirmed plans to reduce its workforce by nearly 700 jobs, following a previous workforce reduction in 2024 that affected thousands of employees.
The implementation of a debt-for-equity swap between Corus and its lenders was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to alleviate the company’s debt burden. This initiative is expected to result in significant interest cost savings for Corus and potentially enhance its financial outlook.