ESPN is preparing a new round of layoffs affecting roughly 30 employees, primarily in off-camera roles, following an unexpected drop in revenue tied to recent business challenges and long-term shifts in the media landscape.

The network, owned by Disney, is expected to implement the cuts in the coming weeks, according to reporting from Puck’s John Ourand. Unlike prior layoffs in 2023 that included high-profile on-air personalities, the upcoming reductions will focus on behind-the-scenes departments.

The reported revenue decline comes in part after a high-profile carriage dispute with YouTube TV last fall, which resulted in ESPN channels going dark on the platform for approximately 15 days during the height of football season. The blackout caused subscribers to miss multiple weekends of major college and NFL games and contributed to an estimated $100 million loss for Disney.

The dispute underscored the shifting balance of power in the media industry, as streaming platforms continue to gain leverage over traditional cable networks. ESPN, once dominant in the cable sports space, has seen a significant erosion in its subscriber base over the past decade, dropping from around 100 million households to roughly 60 million.

Despite the decline, ESPN remains a major player due to its valuable broadcast rights, including “Monday Night Football” and extensive college football coverage. The network’s relationship with the NFL continues to be a key asset, with ongoing partnerships that include shared business interests and media rights agreements.

The layoffs reflect broader pressures facing legacy media companies as they adjust to changing consumer habits, increased competition from digital platforms, and rising costs for premium sports content.

While ESPN has not publicly detailed the upcoming cuts, the move signals continued restructuring within the company as it works to stabilize revenue and adapt to a rapidly evolving broadcasting environment.