Sky has announced that 900 positions are currently under threat as the media giant continues to reshape its operations amid the rise of streaming.
Workforce Changes
The company, which has roughly 23,000 employees in the UK, expects that the consultation process will lead to approximately 600 jobs being cut, with another 300 reassigned to other areas.
New Offerings
The newest wave of reductions – representing the third such move in a little over 18 months – follows a series of new releases, including the second iteration of the company’s television and a budget-friendly alternative.
Strategic Focus
The Comcast-owned media group is concentrating efforts on improving current offerings, with the cuts primarily impacting Sky’s technology and product teams along with associated business divisions.
Starting of last year, Sky has eliminated almost 3,500 roles as it shifts focus from traditional satellite television services toward internet-delivered solutions in its battle against American leaders such as Netflix.
Overall, after Comcast purchased Sky for £31bn in 2018, around 6,000 roles have been removed from the organization.
Shift to Digital
Sky estimates that more than 90% of recent sign-ups now come through online services such as its streaming television and an innovative internet TV device.
“Over the past few years, Sky has launched a range of market-leading offerings such as our high-speed internet service,” said a company spokesperson. “These products are now widely adopted and enjoyed by millions of customers, strengthening Sky’s standing for creativity and great service. As we look ahead, we are shifting our approach to bring customers the next generation of experience by focusing on digital-first service, premium entertainment, and superior performance from our products.”
Previous Job Cuts
In March, Sky moved to reduce 2,000 roles at its support facilities and shut down three sites.
Sky said that the move would help it become “future-ready” as it shifted from telephone customer interactions to digital communications.
In January of last year, Sky cut about 800 jobs, mainly from its group of home setup technicians, as a growing number of users abandon traditional pay-TV equipment in favor of “plug-and-go” internet-based alternatives.
New Streaming Deal
More recently, Sky struck a deal with Warner Bros Discovery, the owner of popular production companies and award-winning series.
The partnership will result in Warner’s digital platform being made available via Sky, though it also led to the end of exclusive broadcasting rights for certain programs.
