National Geographic has begun offering staff buyouts and laying off some people. A statement from the organization says the “National Geographic Society and the National Geographic Channels are in the process of reorganizing” in anticipation of closing their deal with 21st Century Fox, “which is expected to occur in mid-November.”
Ann Day says the organizations “don’t have a target” number of reductions. About 9 percent of the 2,000 staffers will have “involuntary separations,” and “If you are a certain age with a certain number of years of service, you can volunteer to take a package,” Day says. Many of the cuts, the society says in a statement, will be to “shared services.”
Earlier Tuesday, Jim Romeneskoshared a memo from CEO Gary Knell to employees that says they should “make every effort to be available tomorrow, November 3rd, either in your regular work location, and/or by phone.”
News Photographer Editor Donald R. Winslow reported “significant layoffs” earlier Tuesday.
Layoffs, Buyouts Hit National Geographic
National Geographic has begun offering staff buyouts and laying off some people. A statement from the organization says the “National Geographic Society and the National Geographic Channels are in the process of reorganizing” in anticipation of closing their deal with 21st Century Fox, “which is expected to occur in mid-November.”
Earlier Tuesday, Jim Romenesko shared a memo from CEO Gary Knell to employees that says they should “make every effort to be available tomorrow, November 3rd, either in your regular work location, and/or by phone.”
News Photographer Editor Donald R. Winslow reported “significant layoffs” earlier Tuesday.
The changes come as NatGeo and 21st Century Fox complete what both parties insist on calling an expanded partnership, and not a purchase, which they announced in September. Fox told Washingtonian then it had no plans to interfere with NatGeo’s editorial content.
Know something? Hit me at abeaujon@washingtonian.com. I’ll keep updating.
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. His book A Bigger Field Awaits Us: The Scottish Soccer Team That Fought the Great War was published in 2018. He lives in Del Ray.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What to Expect From the Lady Gaga Concert Tonight at Nats Park
A Facebook Group Is Helping DC Women Dig Up Dirt on Potential Dates
This New DC Bookstore Sells Only Queer-Focused Books
Donald Trump and Ketchup: A History
More and More Women Are Paying Alimony to Failure-to-Launch Ex-Husbands. And They’re Really, Really Not Happy About It.
Washingtonian Magazine
August 2022: Taco Town
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This August
Why Do We Care So Much About Presidential Pooches?
The Tiny DC Art Space With a 20-Year History
Telling the Stories of 7,700 People Buried at Arlington Cemetery
More from News & Politics
Adams Morgan’s 18th Street Will Become a Pedestrian Zone on Select Sundays
Virginia Drivers Are Buying More Pro-Choice License Plates
Monkeypox: What Washingtonians Need to Know
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This August
This New DC Bookstore Sells Only Queer-Focused Books
STUDY: Commanders Fans Are NFL’s Least Optimistic
What to Expect From the Lady Gaga Concert Tonight at Nats Park
Covid, Inflation, Politics—They’re All Affecting Your Sleep. Here’s How to Snooze More Soundly.