ATLANTA — Turner Broadcasting will cut 975 jobs in Atlanta as part of a global workforce reduction, sources tell Channel 2 Action News.
Turner, the parent of the CNN, TBS and TNT networks, will reduce its global workforce of some 14,000 full-time employees by approximately 10 percent, the company announced Monday afternoon.
Channel 2 Action News broke the story around 4:30 p.m.
Turner officials say notifications are expected to begin immediately.
Turner says moves will include voluntary separations and the elimination of unfilled positions as well as job cuts. The eliminations will affect 18 different locations and will come from various levels in its news, entertainment, sports and business units as well as corporate positions.
Mayor Kasim Reed released the following statement Monday evening:
“For more than 30 years, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has served as the leading news, entertainment, and animation company in our city, state and region. Despite Turner’s decision to reduce staff globally, including operations in Atlanta, we are confident that its leadership team will work to preserve as many of the 5,500 full-time positions located in the city where TBS was founded.”
The Atlanta-based company also plans to add about 150 new positions in areas of investment and growth, according to a news release.
Watch The Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat at 11 for continuing coverage on this developing story.