Hollywood
Oscars likely to be postponed
MUMBAI: Will Oscars be postponed due to the Covid2019 pandemic? The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, considered the apex body of the Hollywood film industry, may postpone the 93rd edition of Oscars, according to entertainment website Variety.
As of now, the ABC telecast is set for 28 February, 2021. But it can be delayed further in view of the Covid2019 pandemic.
Though there have not been any “definitive plans’ yet on this as of now, a change in date is likely, reports Variety, quoting multiple sources.
Another source, however, revealed to the website that the date as of now remains unchanged.
The usual rules have it that films should be released for seven days in theatres in Los Angeles county to qualify for Oscars. However, in the changed scenario where theatres remain shuttered due to the pandemic, digitally released films will also be qualified for Oscars.
It is too early to know how the 2021 Oscar telecast could change in the wake of the Covid2019 pandemic, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president David Rubin told Variety.
“It’s impossible to know what the landscape will be. We know we want to celebrate film but we do not know exactly what form it will take. I think everyone is sympathetic to the filmmakers’ plight and we’re here to support our members and the film community. It makes sense when we don’t really know what’s to come in terms of the availability of theatrical exhibition. We need to make allowances for this year only and during this time when theatres are not open so great film work can be seen and celebrated,” Rubin said.
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Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
