Sky to cut about 600 UK tech jobs after launch of new streaming platforms
Media group launches consultation affecting some 900 employees as it shifts from platform building to operating existing services
Sky has told staff it plans to cut about 600 jobs in the UK as it shrinks its technology team following the recent roll-out of new streaming platforms.
The company on Tuesday opened a consultation covering roughly 900 employees, saying around two-thirds of those roles are expected to be removed. Staff at Sky sites in Leeds, Livingston and Osterley are among those likely to be affected.
Sky said the changes are part of a drive to simplify its technology and broader teams after a significant period of investment in its TV platforms, broadband services and mobile infrastructure. The company said it now intends to concentrate on running and maintaining those existing services rather than continuing the same level of platform development.
The proposed job reductions are not being framed as the result of individual performance and Sky indicated there will be opportunities for redeployment to other roles within the business. The consultation process will determine final numbers and any redeployment or redundancy arrangements.
The announcement follows Sky’s recent launches of new streaming offerings, which the company says have moved some product development projects into operational phases. Sky spokespersons and internal communications cited the shift from building to operating platforms as the rationale for resizing parts of the technology organisation.
Under UK employment practice, consultations give employers and staff representatives a window to discuss proposals, consider alternatives and negotiate the timing and terms of any redundancies. Sky did not provide a timetable for concluding the consultation or for when confirmed job losses might take effect.
Analysts and industry commentators have noted a recent focus across media and technology firms on converting heavy upfront investment in platforms into lower-cost operational models, though Sky itself framed the changes as a rebalancing of resources after prior investment rather than a response to a single market event.
Sky’s consultation affects a range of technical roles across multiple sites. The company said it will aim to support affected employees through the consultation, including by exploring redeployment opportunities; it did not disclose the number of roles it expects to be able to reassign.
The proposals are subject to the outcome of the consultation and any required discussions with employee representatives. Sky said it will provide more detail to staff as the process continues.