Sky to cut 600 UK jobs in shift to streaming
Broadcaster launches consultation affecting 900 roles as it pivots toward digital-first services
Sky has launched a consultation that could see about 600 jobs cut in the UK as the broadcaster shifts focus toward its streaming and digital services.
The consultation covers 900 roles, with the company expecting roughly two-thirds of the redundancies to come from sites in Leeds, London and Livingston, West Lothian. Sky, which employs more than 20,000 people in the UK, said those affected could be redeployed to other roles within the business.
The broadcaster said the proposals are not being pursued as a cost-cutting exercise and are not based on individual performance. A Sky spokesperson said the company has launched a series of consumer products in recent years, including Sky Glass, Sky Stream and a full fibre broadband service, and added: "As we look ahead, we are shifting our approach to bring customers the next generation of experience by investing in digital-first service, unbeatable content, and even better performance from our products, powered by the best of global innovation."
The move is the latest in a series of workforce reductions at Sky. Since 2023 the company has cut almost 3,000 roles, including engineers who install satellite dishes. Earlier this year Sky announced the closure of three call centres, a change that led to about 2,000 jobs being removed.
Sky said the proposed changes are intended to refocus efforts on improving its existing TV and digital services rather than creating new platforms. Management is entering a formal consultation period with employees and unions on the proposals, which could result in job losses if agreements are not reached or suitable redeployment is not available.
The shift reflects broader industry trends in which traditional broadcasters increasingly prioritise direct-to-consumer streaming and integrated digital services in response to changing viewing habits and competition from global streaming platforms. Sky’s commercial strategy has already moved in that direction with its recent product launches and investments in online delivery.
Company officials did not provide a timetable for when final decisions will be taken, and said details on voluntary redundancy, redeployment and support measures would be discussed during the consultation. Sky's statement emphasised that the proposed changes are about reorganising resources to deliver "the next generation of experience" for customers rather than immediate cost reduction.
Trade unions and employee representatives will be involved in the consultation process. Any confirmed redundancies would add to the string of job cuts announced across the media and telecoms sectors in the past two years as firms adapt to new technologies and shifting consumer demand.