Sky is planning to reduce its workforce by roughly 1,000 staff members in the UK this year, as the media group shifts towards offering more internet-based services. It is understood that a significant proportion of the layoffs will be engineers, as fewer customers require satellite dishes to be installed in their homes. At present, Sky has around 26,000 employees in the UK, implying that the cuts represent approximately 4% of the total workforce.
The rise of digital products has resulted in many customers being able to set up new services without requiring assistance, therefore reducing the need for specialist installation services. A Sky spokesperson stated that the increasing popularity of Sky Glass and Sky Stream, which don’t require any installation expertise, has influenced the restructuring effort. Affected staff will be given the opportunity to comment on the proposals during a consultation period prior to the finalisation of any decisions.
Since its acquisition by the US media giant Comcast for more than £30bn in 2018, Sky has been in the process of changing its strategy. Despite the reduction in staff, the company is still recruiting across the wider business, with plans to add approximately 2,000 jobs at its new film and TV studios situated in Elstree, Hertfordshire.
Channel 4 also announced plans to cut around 200 jobs or roughly 18% of its workforce on Monday, as it pivots its focus towards digital services. The broadcaster wants digital revenues – which accounted for 27% of its total last year – to surpass 50% by 2030. CEO Alex Mahon pointed out that the “reality” of the “rapid downshift” in the economy and advertising prompted the change, as it concentrates more on its digital offerings
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