Disney-Fox merger sees scores of job losses at Nat Geo

National Geographic is feeling the impact of the Disney-Fox merger, with scores of employees set to be laid off.

According to Variety, around 70 to 80 staff will be affected by a round of lay-offs, which will largely impact the brand’s publishing and events division.

The move comes as Disney – in a drive to limit overlap following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets earlier this year – looks to move Nat Geo’s live events, travel and publishing operations into parts of its own business that already handles such operations.

While the US magazine will continue to operate, US editions of National Geographic Traveler will be discontinued, with certain content folded into the main magazine.

It is yet unclear how many of the 70 to 80 roles affected by the cuts originate from outside the US. Fox Networks Group UK did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

The Nat Geo lay-offs also come alongside job losses in distribution, with Disney cutting close to 60 jobs from its Media Distribution arm, affecting employees at both Disney and Fox.

Overall, the merger is expected to impact more than 4,000 jobs at both Disney and Fox.