ABS-CBN to cut jobs in North America, to halt ‘TFC News on TV Patrol’

ABS-CBN is bracing for another wave of layoffs, this time affecting its international subsidiary, ABS-CBN International.

Media Newser Philippines has learned that the Kapamilya subsidiary, which manages the international services of ABS-CBN, primarily The Filipino Channel or TFC, will be letting go of some of its employees in its North America bureau.

The exact number of affected staff remains unclear as of this writing, but sources indicate that this round of layoffs will impact all TV production and news production employees, with changes taking effect by the end of this week.

As a result of these cuts, ABS-CBN will discontinue “TFC News on TV Patrol,” the international news segment which started running in 2021. Instead, it will reportedly just provide coverage of news events in the U.S. on an as-needed basis through some of its existing reporters, the majority of whom are said to be shifting to freelance roles for future contributions.

With the segment no longer airing, these reporters will now rely on ABS-CBN News’ online platforms and ANC as their main outlets, and possibly TV Patrol, if permitted.

ABS-CBN maintains a strong presence in the U.S. through TFC, its subscription-based cable and satellite television network. Since its inception, TFC has been the leading provider of locally produced content in the States and has grown into an important media entity for the Filipino community there. Additionally, it has also elevated ABS-CBN’s reputation as a global news operation — one that is able to cover political transitions and turmoil, as well as big Hollywood events like the Grammys and the Oscars.

The channel, in recent years, however, has faced significant challenges, primarily driven by the shifting viewing habits of its subscribers, resulting in a notable decline in subscriptions and a reduced audience base.

This is not the first round of layoffs for ABS-CBN this year. In October, the company let go of 100 workers here in Manila due to a decline in advertising revenue — an industry-wide issue that is not unique to the company.

Despite these challenges, ABS-CBN has shown overall improvement over the past year. According to a report from The Philippine Star, the company reduced its net loss by 22% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023.

Additionally, it has produced numerous box office hits, with its latest release, Hello, Love, Again, making history in the U.S. box office — signaling some positive momentum for the Kapamilya Network.

An announcement about the layoffs is expected to be made in the coming days.