Layoffs Come To AETN After Lifetime Merger

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Layoffs that were expected as a result of Lifetime's integration into A&E Television Networks began last week and are expected to reduce about 100 jobs out of a combined 1,100 employees.
Disney-ABC TV, Hearst and NBC Universal last month completed merging the programming entities into AETN, under CEO Abbe Raven. An A&E spokesman confirmed the company is making a 10% reduction in the employee base, mostly in support areas like legal, accounting finance and public relations.
Executive staffs of both A&E and Lifetime will remain with the merged entity, including Lifetime CEO Andrea Wong, who reports to Raven; JoAnn Alfano, Lifetime executive vice president of entertainment, and executive vice president of distribution Lori Conkling, who will report to AETN executive vice president of distribution David Zagin, a spokesman said.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.