Layoffs at ABC

Disney plans to cut 200 people from the network and freeze 200 vacant positions. That amounts to a 5 percent reduction in ABC's workforce of 6,500 to 7,000. From Reuters:

"After months of making hard decisions across our businesses to help us adjust to a weakening economy, we're now faced with the harsh reality of having to eliminate jobs in some areas," Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney-Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television, said in a memo sent to workers and obtained by Reuters. "This was not an easy decision, nor one made lightly. The people affected today are our friends and colleagues, and we are doing all we can for them and their families during what we know will be a difficult transition."

On Wednesday, ESPN announced plans to trim 200 jobs from its workforce of about 5,700 worldwide. The cuts had been expected for weeks. No detail yet on which areas will be taking hits.