21st Century Fox eyes $250 million cost cut via staff buyouts

21st Century Fox eyes $250 million cost cut via staff buyouts

21st Century Fox

MUMBAI: The Rupert Murdoch owned 21st Century Fox is looking at reducing costs by approximately $25 million in the 2017 fiscal by offering enhanced benefit packages to employees of its film (Twentieth Century Fox Film) and TV networks (Fox Networks Group) divisions if they resign voluntarily.

In an internal email memo, Fox Networks Group chairman and CEO Peter Rice said, “Our industry is changing rapidly, presenting new challenges and even more opportunities at every turn. For a company that has always embraced change and innovation, these are exciting times. To ensure we make the most of this new world, we need to adjust, adapt, and organize for the future. With this in mind, through the remainder of this fiscal year, we will be undertaking some structural changes, increasing investment in some parts of the company while making cost reductions in other areas.”

“As the next step in this reorganization, colleagues who fit a specific set of criteria will be offered a generous benefit package if they decide to voluntarily resign from the company, effective May 23, 2016. Colleagues who are eligible for this offer will receive a confidential email in the next few hours with specific terms and benefits. Again, the program is completely voluntary,” Rice added.

Twentieth Century Fox Film chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos wrote in his memo, “As we all know, the film industry is facing many significant changes, and we are no exception. While we continue to succeed on many fronts, such as garnering an extraordinary 30 Academy Awards nominations and; last year, setting an all-time industry box office record, we must be cognizant of the industry's transformation and position ourselves to continue our success in this new environment. To that end, we are reviewing our organizational structure and looking at potential cost reductions to position us for sustained future growth.”

“This comes at a time that is both exciting and challenging for the company. We are the best at what we do and will continue to excel, but we also have to be fearless about transforming, and embrace both change and opportunity. If we structure our organization for the media world ahead of us, we will continue to thrive and make 20th Century Fox a stronger and more agile company going forward,” Gianopulos added.