Current Media Lays Off 80, Shifts to More Outsourced Content

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 11, 2009 - 10:04am.

San Francisco - Current Media, the pay-TV and Web video news outlet co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore, announced on Wednesday that it has laid off 80 employees, and will shift away from short-form and daily in-house production to "proven 30-60 minute formats from a multitude of sources, including acquisitions, co-productions, outside studios, as well as Current developed and produced content." San Francisco-based Current said in a statement that the layoffs did not result from a need to cut costs, as the company "will have its most profitable year," but are about "re-allocating resources in order to put further emphasis on areas of the business believed to best position Current Media for continued long-term growth."

The company will be eliminating programs including "Current Tonight," "Current Takeover" and "Current Exposed," and consolidating its TV production and programming development under one roof in Los Angeles at LA Center Studios.

It will also embark to create new executive positions and teams in program development, licensing and acquisitions, talent management, research, marketing, affiliate relations and advertising sales.

Related Links:
http://www.current.com