Canada’s Bell Media cuts another 200 jobs in latest ‘streamlining’

Canada’s Bell Media has made another swathe of job cuts, with senior execs reportedly among more than 200 employees being laid off.

The layoffs have affected those working in TV and news, as well as administration and sales, according to local trade organisation Unifor.

Bell Media did not confirm the number of employees affected but Canadian trade Playback said Robin Johnston, director of original production, factual and reality, was among those departing, along with camera crews and on-air hosts.

In a statement to The Canadian Press, a Bell spokesman said: “There are further changes in roles, including some departures, reflecting Bell Media’s streamlined operating structure.

“As the media industry evolves, we’re focused on investment in new content and technology opportunities while also ensuring our company is as agile, efficient and easy to work with as possible.

“That includes programming changes affecting some on-air positions, but I think it’s pretty clear by now that our policy is not to comment on individual employees.”

The cuts come as Bell attempts to pivot to streaming and follow a raft of changes made this year under new boss Wade Oosterman, who was appointed last year to replace Randy Lennox.

Those changes saw content chief Mike Cosentino and SVP of original programming Corrie Coe departing, along with president of distribution & pay Tracey Pearce and Nanci MacLean, VP of Bell Media Studios.

Bell said at the time that the move was part of a “streamlining” process at the company, which has faced rising competition from Netflix and other streamers. It is now attempting to shift its focus to its own on demand service Crave TV, reflecting similar moves across the global industry.

Bell runs an array of networks alongside Crave TV, including numerous CTV branded channels and almost 30 specialist networks with partners such as Discovery and Comedy Central.