Netflix to cut about 6% of workforce, roughly 1,000 jobs

Netflix told employees in a memo on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, that it would cut about 6% of its workforce, or nearly 1,000 positions across its global operations. The memo was sent by co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, who described the move as a set of organizational changes. The streaming company is based in California.

The reductions are the largest the company has made since 2022. Netflix had mostly avoided large-scale layoffs in recent years, although it has made smaller adjustments within specific teams over time. The memo said the heaviest effect would fall on product, technology, legal and human resources teams.

Key figures and the company's position

Netflix had roughly 16,000 full-time employees at the end of 2025, according to a securities filing, which places the latest reduction close to 1,000 roles from that base. Coverage of the plan indicated it was expected for some time, following a period of slower growth at the company.

In the memo, the leadership team said the business remained strong and that the company expected to meet its full-year projection. It also said it would keep investing in high-impact areas to improve service and support growth. Netflix declined to provide further comment on the layoffs beyond the internal message.

The cuts come as revenue growth at the company has slowed and competition in streaming has intensified. Mr. Sarandos had earlier this month acknowledged at an industry conference that growth was not moving as quickly as he would like. Rival services such as Amazon's Prime Video and Disney+ are closing in on Netflix, which held about 19% of the streaming market in the latest data cited in coverage.

What it means for workers and careers

For marketing jobs in streaming and entertainment, the memo did not list marketing among the most affected groups. The reports reviewed also did not give a breakdown of how many roles were cut in each department, so the full effect on marketing staff is not yet clear.

Other entertainment and technology employers have also been reducing staff this year. Amazon and Disney have been undergoing layoffs, and a newly merged company, Skydance, is expected to follow. For media professionals, the Netflix decision adds to a wider run of job cuts across the sector.

The memo's emphasis on directing resources toward high-impact areas suggests that corporate functions may face closer review in the months ahead. The company has not defined those areas in the material reviewed, so workers in other departments should not assume how their roles will be affected.

Netflix said the process will differ from country to country, and that leaders would begin contacting affected employees soon. Staff in several countries may therefore receive news on different timelines, which could matter for those planning job moves or relocations.

What to watch next

Market watchers will be looking at whether the company provides more detail on which roles were eliminated and how the staffing change appears in its next financial results. Further announcements from rival streaming and media companies could show whether this pattern is spreading across the industry.