National Geographic is to lay off about 9% of its staff, months after a takeover by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox.
The move affects 180 people out of the total 2,000 employees under the new partnership with Fox.
In September, Fox struck a $725 million deal that gives it a majority stake in National Geographic magazine, the National Geographic TV channel, and other media properties.
The agreement will give the company controlled by Rupert Murdoch's family a 73 percent stake in the new National Geographic Partners venture.
Magazine staff received an email from chief executive Gary Knell with instructions to monitor their inboxes for information about their employment status.
“The National Geographic Society and the National Geographic Channels are in the process of reorganizing in order to move forward strategically following the closing [of] the National Geographic Partners deal, which is expected to occur in mid-November,” a spokesperson for National Geographic Society said in an emailed statement.
“The entities combined have about 2,000 employees, and all staff have been advised as to their status as of closing. Involuntary separations will represent less than 10% of the overall workforce reduction, many in National Geographic Society shared services and a voluntary separation offer has also been made to eligible employees,” 21st Century Fox said in a statement.
At the time of the deal’s announcement, James Murdoch, chief executive of 21st Century Fox, said in remarks to National Geographic that the pact created “an expanded canvas for the National Geographic brand to grow and reach customers in new ways, and to reach new customers.”
Rupert Murdoch became executive co-chairman of Fox in a reshuffle that saw his son James become chief executive.
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