Overview
- RTL and Sky confirmed this week that about 500 roles will be eliminated by the end of 2027, with the bulk of the reductions planned for 2026.
- The company says it will seek to avoid forced dismissals by using non‑renewal of contracts, not filling vacancies, voluntary leave and programs negotiated with works councils.
- RTL expects the merger to deliver roughly €250 million in annual synergies within three years, mainly by cutting duplicate content and operating costs.
- The cuts come while RTL and Sky pledge to keep content spending high, planning about €2.5 billion a year, but the combined impact raises headcount losses to roughly 1,100 in under 18 months when added to late‑2025 job cuts.
- Executives frame the reorganization as a response to falling linear TV ad income and rising streaming use, with Sky’s pay‑TV and sports rights seen as assets to grow subscriptions and compete with global streamers.