Mediacorp will cut 93 jobs, or just over 3% of its workforce, as part of an organisation-wide retrenchment to adapt to industry changes and economic uncertainty.

Affected staff have until the end of September to apply for other roles within the company, with their last day of work set for September 30, 2025 if no alternative is found.

The Singapore-based national media network said severance packages will be based on years of service, salary, and seniority, and capped at 25 months or S$250,000 (US$185,000).

Impacted employees will also receive a training grant, continued access to well-being support for up to a year, and job-matching services through NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.

Mediacorp cited rapid shifts in media consumption and economic headwinds as reasons for the job cuts.

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🔗 Source: CNA

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Singapore’s media cuts reflect a global industry downsizing trend

Mediacorp’s 93 job cuts represent part of a broader global media industry contraction that has accelerated significantly in recent years.

Media companies announced approximately 15,000 job cuts in 2024 alone, with major outlets like The Washington Post cutting 4% of its workforce after reporting a $100 million loss 1.

An estimated 10,000 journalists have been laid off over the past three years, representing over 10% of the entire journalism workforce 2.

This pattern extends beyond traditional news organizations to entertainment companies, with Anonymous Content laying off nearly 15% of its 130 employees and Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group announcing a 10% workforce reduction 3.

The scale suggests this isn’t merely cyclical cost-cutting but reflects structural challenges as traditional media companies struggle to adapt their business models to digital-first consumption patterns.

2️⃣ Traditional media’s revenue model faces fundamental disruption from social platforms

Mediacorp’s emphasis on shifting toward “short-form, mobile-first, and social-driven formats” acknowledges a competitive reality reshaping the entire industry.

Social media platforms are now capturing a larger share of advertising revenue that traditionally went to established media companies, forcing outlets to compete directly with user-generated content for audience attention 4.

The average consumer now spends about six hours daily on media, but social media platforms are becoming increasingly dominant in this consumption, particularly among younger generations 5.

This shift explains why Mediacorp specifically mentions client demands for “more agile, tailored, and platform-native campaigns.” Advertisers are following audiences to where they actually spend their time.

Traditional media companies face the challenge of maintaining production quality and editorial standards while competing with the lower costs and higher engagement rates of social media content.

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