Bell Media has announced the elimination of 98 positions, a mix of layoffs and voluntary buyouts, as part of its latest workforce reduction. The cuts primarily affect employees in service and corporate departments, with a company spokesperson emphasizing that no CTV journalists are among those impacted. Of the affected roles, 44 are unionized, and many of those workers were presented with buyout offers rather than outright termination.
This move follows a tumultuous period for BCE Inc., Bell Media’s parent company, which slashed 4,800 jobs across its operations about a year ago. That earlier overhaul saw BCE offload 45 of its 103 Bell radio stations and axe multiple television programs, including the long-running investigative show W5, while trimming roughly 10% of Bell Media’s staff. In contrast, the company insists this round of cuts won’t lead to the cancellation of any news programs, aiming to reassure viewers and staff alike.
The layoffs come amid ongoing challenges in the Canadian media landscape, with Bell Media navigating a shifting industry marked by declining ad revenues and competition from digital platforms. While the spokesperson declined to elaborate on specific reasons for the cuts, the focus on non-editorial roles suggests a streamlining effort within the company’s operational backbone rather than its content creation arm. As of March 1, 2025, Bell Media has not indicated whether further reductions are on the horizon, leaving employees and observers watching closely for the next chapter in its restructuring saga.