Netflix to cut 1,000 jobs worldwide
Netflix to shed 1,000 jobs in steepest cuts since 2022
Thursday, 15 October 2026
Photo by Brusk Dede on Unsplash
Warm-up
- Which streaming platforms do you use most? Why?
- What makes you stay with or leave a service?
- How do adverts affect your viewing choices?
Vocabulary
- streaming
- playing video or audio over the internet without downloading
- workforce
- all the employees who work for a company
- competition
- rival businesses that try to win the same customers
- merger
- two companies joining to become one business
- revenue
- money a company receives from its business
- subscription
- a regular payment to use a service
- adverts
- short videos or messages that try to sell something
- subscribers
- people who pay regularly to use a service
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishNetflix will cut 1,000 jobs globally, about 6% of its workforce, as it faces rising competition in streaming. The steepest cuts since 2022 will mainly hit human resources, legal, product and technology teams.
Co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said Netflix will keep investing in high-impact areas to improve the service, and managers will tell staff "soon" if roles are cut.
The industry is consolidating after Paramount's $110bn merger with Warner Bros, which owns HBO. Netflix had agreed a deal with Warner Bros but was outbid by Paramount. Free platforms such as YouTube and TikTok continue to attract viewers.
Investors are watching user engagement as Netflix expands into gaming and allows adverts. The company still depends on subscription revenue, and its most popular show now is Below, an underwater mystery starring Josh Hartnett. In 2022 it cut about 450 jobs after losing subscribers.
Comprehension
- How many jobs will Netflix cut?
- What share of its workforce will be affected?
- Which teams will be hit the most by the cuts?
- Who are Netflix's co-chief executives?
- What does Netflix still depend on for income?
Grammar focus
May / might (probability)
Use may/might to show something is possible but not certain. Forms: may/might + base; may/might be + -ing; may/might have + past participle. (Examples constructed.)
- Investors may watch engagement closely.
- Free platforms might attract more viewers.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with may or might + the verb.
- Netflix (cut) ___ more roles if costs rise.
- The industry (consolidate) ___ further this year.
- Teams (be) ___ testing new games now.
- Advertisers (shift) ___ budgets toward shows with ads.
- Investors (have) ___ reacted to the news already.
Discussion
- Why are streaming companies facing more competition now?
- Is showing adverts on streaming a good idea? Why or why not?
- How do you choose which platforms to subscribe to?
- What could help Netflix keep users watching longer?
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