Netflix is reportedly preparing to cut about 5% of its global workforce, with an announcement expected as early as next week, according to a report by media newsletter Puck published Friday. The reported Netflix layoffs would affect roughly 800 of the streaming giant’s approximately 16,000 full-time employees — and Netflix has declined to comment on the report, Reuters reported.
It is important to be clear about what is confirmed and what is not. The layoffs have been reported by Puck, citing people familiar with the matter — they have not been announced or confirmed by Netflix itself. A representative for the company declined to comment on the reported job reductions.
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What Puck Reported About the Netflix Layoffs
According to Puck’s reporting, broken by media journalist Matthew Belloni, the job cuts are part of a restructuring, and the company could announce the changes as early as next week. The report cited anonymous sources familiar with the plans.
Here is what the reporting says — and what it doesn’t:
- Scale: About 5% of Netflix’s global workforce. Based on the company’s roughly 16,000 full-time employees at the end of last year, that would mean around 800 roles; the A.V. Club estimated about 850 based on a higher headcount figure of 17,000.
- Timing: An announcement could come as early as next week, per Puck.
- Scope: Puck did not say which teams or departments would be hit, and it remains unclear whether the cuts are part of a broader restructuring or a straight cost-saving move.
- Company response: Netflix declined to comment on the report.
The Hollywood Reporter, separately, has reported that a reorganization “may be undertaken in the next few months” as the company’s stock sits down about 20% year to date, according to the A.V. Club’s coverage. Those details also remain unconfirmed by Netflix.
Why Netflix Is Reportedly Cutting Jobs Now
The reported Netflix layoffs land at a tense moment for the streamer. While Netflix is still growing, the competitive ground under it is shifting. Rival media groups are consolidating, and YouTube is capturing a growing share of both viewers’ time and advertisers’ budgets. According to Nielsen data cited in coverage of the report, YouTube accounted for 14.2% of US TV viewing time in July — nearly double Netflix’s 7.8%.
Investor skepticism has been building for months. Netflix’s shares have fallen roughly 42% since the company pursued an acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery last year — a rare departure for a firm that has historically grown through organic expansion rather than major corporate consolidation. The bid ultimately ended after Warner Bros. was acquired by the newly rebranded Skydance Corp.
The timing is also notable for what it precedes. The report comes about three months after a soft third-quarter forecast knocked roughly 9% off the company’s share price, and it lands less than two weeks before Netflix reports its latest quarterly earnings on October 20.
Meanwhile, Netflix has been widening its business beyond subscriptions — investing in advertising, live programming and gaming to diversify its revenue sources. Its advertising revenue is expected to roughly double this year to about $3 billion, and the company has been pushing employees across teams to build AI skills into their everyday work.
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Netflix’s Last Major Layoffs Came in 2022
If the reported cuts go ahead, they would be Netflix’s biggest round of layoffs since 2022. That year, the company cut hundreds of jobs amid slowing growth and subscriber losses — the first subscriber decline in a decade, as growth cooled once pandemic lockdowns eased.
The 2022 cuts were concentrated largely in the United States and came in waves through the spring and summer. By contrast, the newly reported cuts have not been tied by Puck to any specific region or division, and no official rationale has been given.
Job reductions are sweeping through corporate America this earnings season, and the streaming world is no exception. For context on how another major brand handled cuts this year, see our earlier coverage of Nike’s stock plunge on its sales forecast and job cuts.
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What Happens Next: The Unconfirmed Details
Until Netflix says something publicly, everything about the scale, timing and targets of the reported cuts remains exactly that — reported. Puck’s sources point to an announcement as early as next week, but companies frequently adjust the timing of sensitive personnel moves, and plans described by anonymous sources can change.
What is confirmed: Netflix has about 16,000 full-time employees, it declined to comment on Puck’s report, and it is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on October 20. Investors and employees alike will be watching that earnings call closely — both for the numbers and for any official word on whether the reported restructuring is real.
Netflix Layoffs: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Netflix really laying off 5% of its workforce?
That is what Puck News reported on October 9, 2026, citing people familiar with the matter. Netflix has not confirmed the layoffs and declined to comment on the report. Until the company announces something officially, the cuts should be treated as reported, not confirmed.
How many Netflix employees would be affected?
According to the reporting, about 5% of Netflix’s global workforce. Based on the roughly 16,000 full-time employees the company had at the end of last year, that works out to approximately 800 roles. The A.V. Club put the figure at about 850 based on an estimated headcount of 17,000.
When would the Netflix layoffs be announced?
Puck reported that an announcement could come as early as next week. The report did not specify a date, and Netflix has not confirmed any timeline.
Which Netflix teams would be affected by the layoffs?
That remains unconfirmed. Puck did not report which departments would be hit, and Netflix has not said whether the reported cuts are part of a restructuring or a cost-saving measure.
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