GBH lays off 45 employees

Media

GBH CEO Susan Goldberg cited funding cuts and increasing costs in announcing the layoffs.

GBH announced Monday that 45 employees, or 6% of its entire staff, would be hit with layoffs, according to multiple reports. 

In a statement, CEO Susan Goldberg confirmed the layoffs and cited multiple factors. 

“GBH is being impacted by several dynamics at once: federal funding cuts, rising costs of doing business, and the need to evolve our work to meet audiences’ needs,” she said. 

The cuts come at a perilous time for public media. President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month accusing NPR and PBS of spreading biased news and demanding that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting cease federal funding of the outlets. Both NPR and PBS responded by suing the administration. 

GBH laid off 10 employees from its WORLD Channel last month. About a year ago, the station laid off 31 employees, citing stagnating revenues and the increased costs of doing business.  Some employees at the time said that they were “blindsided” by the cuts. WBUR, Boston’s other NPR station, was also hit with layoffs last year. 

“Layoffs are never our first choice. We’re sad to have to say goodbye to colleagues and grateful for their contributions. At a volatile time like this, we owe it to the public to reshape our work to meet the moment and to ensure long-term sustainability,” Goldberg said. 

Funds from the CPB represent about 8% of GBH’s annual revenue, The Boston Globe has reported. It is one of the largest producers of PBS programming in America, responsible for notable programs like “Frontline” and “NOVA.”

“GBH remains committed to being the most innovative, trusted, and impactful public media organization in America,” Goldberg said. “While our world, our audiences, and our industry undergo rapid transformation, what will never change is how much we care – about our staff, our audiences, our work, and our community.”