Discovery rejigs UK operations to focus on streaming, with 10% job cuts mooted

James Gibbons

Discovery has restructured its operations in the UK to shift more emphasis onto its recently launched streamer, with around 10% of jobs in the country at risk.

News of the revamp was revealed by EVP James Gibbons last week and comes six months since Discovery+ was rolled out in the UK, where the factual giant employs around 100 staff.

The changes will see those working on Discovery’s linear channels merged with the Discovery+ team. Claire Laycock, who oversees lifestyle and entertainment, is expanding her remit to become SVP of planning, and head of content for lifestyle & entertainment.

Simon Downing, whose remit had focused only on factual and sports, is now responsible for marketing across Discovery+ and its linear siblings. He becomes SVP of marketing and head of content for factual & sports.

Further details of the affected divisions have not yet been revealed, but a Discovery spokeswoman told TBI that the company was “reorganising the UK business to position it for continued success in the fast evolving TV and streaming world.”

She added: “The Discovery+ and linear TV marketing, content and insights teams have been combined to focus on driving value for consumers across all platforms.”

Discovery is the latest US-based giant to cut jobs overseas as it focuses on streaming. Disney slashed almost 30,000 jobs and enacted a wholesale restructure of its DTC operations last year, while NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, and AMC have also cut workforces stateside.

UK trade Broadcast first reported the news.