Mass layoffs are coming to one of the most iconic names in Hollywood. Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting approximately 10% of its Motion Picture Group—an estimated 50+ jobs—according to multiple reports.
For workers in film, production, marketing, and distribution, this is a major blow. Whether you’re already impacted or fear you may be next, here’s what you need to know about your rights.
What’s Happening at Warner Bros. Discovery?
On July 30, 2025, news broke that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is laying off around 10% of its Motion Picture Group staff. Departments affected include:
- Marketing
- Distribution
- Production Strategy
- Operations
- Theater Ventures
This restructuring comes as part of a broader plan to split Warner Bros. Discovery into two independent companies:
- Warner Bros. (streaming and studios)
- Discovery Global (cable and lifestyle brands)
Co-chairs Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca reportedly told staff the cuts were part of a “larger transformation” aimed at streamlining and unifying operations.
Layoffs Without Notice? WARN Act May Apply
If you were laid off without advance written notice, you might have rights under the California WARN Act or the federal WARN Act. These laws require companies with a certain number of employees to provide:
- 60 days’ advance notice before mass layoffs, plant closures, or relocations.
- Back pay and benefits if they fail to comply.
In California, WARN protections apply if:
- The company has 75+ employees, and
- 50+ employees are laid off within a 30-day period at a single location.
Even salaried professionals in entertainment—marketing leads, post-production managers, creative executives—are covered.
Hollywood Layoffs: A Growing Trend
WBD’s cuts are just the latest in a disturbing trend across the entertainment industry. In 2025 alone, Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount Global, and several smaller production companies have announced staff reductions. And these are only the public ones.
But the problem runs deeper than any one company.
Streaming disruption, labor unrest, and shifting audience preferences have already reshaped the industry. Now, studios are also chasing tax credits and regulatory incentives outside of California—further eroding Hollywood’s traditional job base.
Productions Are Leaving California
States like Georgia, New Mexico, Louisiana, and even Canada and the UK are luring film and television productions away from California with:
- Aggressive tax credit programs
- Lower labor costs
- Streamlined permitting and regulations
This outsourcing of content creation has a direct impact on California-based workers—from editors, crew, and producers to those in marketing, post-production, and administration. Many find themselves laid off or forced to freelance in increasingly unstable conditions.
Severance, NDAs & Release of Claims
If you’re offered a severance package, take a breath before signing anything. Many employers include:
- Non-disclosure clauses
- Non-disparagement terms
- A release of legal claims
You may be giving up your right to sue—even if your termination was unlawful. Always review any severance agreement with an experienced employment attorney first.
Were You Affected by the Layoffs?
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
If you were impacted by the Warner Bros. Discovery layoffs—or any mass layoff in entertainment or media—you may have claims for unpaid wages, WARN violations, or severance negotiation leverage.
At Employees First Labor Law, we fight for workers in California’s entertainment industry. Our firm has recovered millions for employees pushed out unfairly or unlawfully.
📌 Quick FAQ: Warner Bros. Discovery Layoffs
Q: I wasn’t given 60 days’ notice. Do I have a case?
A: Possibly. If you were laid off without proper warning and your job met WARN thresholds, you may be owed back pay.
Q: I’m on a contract. Do WARN rules still apply?
A: Yes, many contract workers are covered—especially if they were regular, long-term, or salaried employees.
Q: I was offered severance—should I sign?
A: Not before speaking to a lawyer. These agreements often include waivers that limit your legal rights.
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