Global Showbiz Briefs: CBC To Lay Off 20% Of Staff By 2020; Sony Pictures TV Acquires UK’s CSC Media Group; More

CBC To Lay Off 20% Of Workforce By 2020
The CBC will trim its staff by 20% in the next five years. The cuts will include sharp reductions during the next year as it segues to a mobile-first strategy aimed at cutting costs. The plan calls for cutting 1,000-1,500 job cuts by 2020, scaling back some local evening newscasts from 90 minutes to 30, and shifting more resources from TV and radio to web broadcasting. The Canadian pubcaster’s President and CEO, Hubert Lacroix, announced the layoffs Thursday during a heated town hall with employees in Toronto.
Sony Pictures TV Acquires UK’s CSC Media Group
Sony Pictures Television said Thursday that it will acquire CSC Media Group in the UK.   Under the agreement, SPT will own and operate the 16 ad-supported channels in the company’s portfolio. Pending regulatory approval of the deal, SPT Networks will be the No. 5 cable/satellite/multichannel player in the UK market in commercial ad views. The deal has been struck between SPT Networks and private equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson, majority shareholders in the CSC Media Group, with SPT acquiring 100 percent of the company.
Bob & Co Launches TV Production Company Duchess Street Productions
UK’s media advisory firm Bob & Co said Thursday that it is branching out into TV production with the launch of Duchess Street Productions. The new division will specialize in producing original drama ... Read More »

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