MTV UK to reduce workforce by 10%

MTV UK is set to cut almost 10% of its 750-strong workforce as part of cost-cutting measures imposed by parent company Viacom. The broadcaster told staff yesterday (December 18) that it would begin a 30-day consultation on the cuts.

An MTV spokesman confirms there will be “potential job losses” in the MTV UK business but declines to give a figure.

It is thought that the cuts will affect all areas of the UK business, whch falls under Viacom’s MTV Networks International division and encompasses channels such as MTV One, VH1 and TMF.

The move follows last week’s news that Viacom was looking to save $250m (£171m) next year, including reducing its workforce global by 7%, or 850 positions.

At the same time, it said changes within MTVNI would “focus resources in high growth businesses units” and support MTVNI’s newly implemented regionalisation and creative model.

The broadcaster is also reviewing its UK-based transmission services, which could see its short-form production, such as programme links, outsourced. MTV already outsources all its long-form programming.