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# Music Industry Layoff Roundup: MTV, Real & More
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/music-industry/
- Published: 2008-12-05T07:14:09.000Z
- Updated: 2008-12-05T07:14:09.000Z
- Description: It’s starting to feel a bit like watching a car crash happen in front of you. You know you should look away and yet you can’t. You’re feelings of "glad. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/12/music-industry.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:03

It’s starting to feel a bit like watching a car crash happen in front of you. You know you should look away and yet you can’t. You’re feelings of "glad it’s not me" are tinged with a fear of "hope I’m not next". Here’s a round-up of music industry layoffs so far this quarter…

- **[![Layoff](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/12/05/layoff.jpg "Layoff")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/12/05/layoff.jpg)**  
**Viacom** let 850 go worldwide including about 300 at **MTV**
- The **Real/MTV Rhapsody America** partnership is cutting 25 jobs ~~and closing its NYC office.~~ **UPDATE: Real confirms the layoffs but denies that it is completely shutting down the NYC office.** [(ALD](http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20081204/realnetworks-cuts-130-75-of-workforce/?ref=hypebot.com))
- **RealNetworks** itself is [laying off](http://realnetworksblog.com/?p=175&ref=hypebot.com) 130 people or 7% of its staff.
- The **Hollywood Reporter** has [let go](http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/layoffs-at-hollywood-reporter-12-the-staff/?ref=hypebot.com) of 17 and **Variety** has closed its DC bureau with more cuts expected.
- UK’s **Pinnacle** falling into insolvency means that almost 100 lost their jobs. More fallout is expected as **indie labels** distributed by Pinnacle suffer from lack of payments.
- Last week music blog network **Buzznet** let go of at least 10 of its 85 staffers.
- Earlier **Pandora** let go of 20 of its 140 employees or 14%
- **imeem** has cut 25% of staff and is actively looking for a buyer.