Current TV Staff Suffer A “Major Bloodbath” As 80 Employees Lose Their Jobs

The line: "Current will be shifting away from short-form programming and daily in-house production and towards proven 30-60 minute formats from a multitude of sources, including acquisitions, co-productions, outside studios, as well as Current developed and produced content." means the user contributed stuff is what's going away in addition to several of the dreadful in-house programs they've been trying for almost 2 years.

.

"Sell out with me tonight" sad Current, very sad, I miss the old you, Current, the one that got me hooked with all Viewer Created Content... I can't believe this is your most profitable year ever, way to say thanks to all the people that have been working to help you achieve all that you have.... don't know if I will be watching again...unless you can find your old self SORRY TO EVERYONE LOSING THEIR JOBS, WE DIDN'T THINK CURRENT WAS LIKE ALL OF THOSE OTHER SELL OUT COMPANIES EITHER...

Since we are part of current , could there not be a dialogue with us as well ? Unless the management/owners thinks us irrelevant , that would be reasonable . Perhaps the mission has changed .

No!! Current, we like you just the way you are, don't change!

Current has turned into the National Inquirer.

Amazed that this made the news and that it hasn't been pulled from the site, suppose whoever would have done that got laid off XD Actually this isn't a funny situation.

I still miss the "robot machine of news".

You know I think that Current should seriously consider the feedback that has been posted here. I really think you need to encourage and incorporate viewer created content into the TV lineup. It is not only the most socially responsible thing to do, it is also the most trendy. Every network has gotten into asking their viewers to post their comments and feedback so that it can be presented on the broadcast.

This is what people want to see; video that looks like it was captured live, real reality, not the contrived reality that so many shows produce like The Bachelor or Survivor. The stuff that people want and gravitate to is raw, unrehearsed, spontaneous, and fresh.

Please think about what is being said. People want to have a voice and Current used to be that voice. I think you can still honor that foundational mission and still turn a profit and attract major advertisers. Just tell them that they need to "play along" with the format and embrace innovative new content.

For example, one way to cut production costs, and improve profits is to feature viewer created content. The spiffs are a good incentive. But lets face it, many of the producers need to learn some very basic production values. Why not sponsor regional seminars to "train" people, much like Ebay has all kinds of "trainings" to help people harness the power of that medium. Current is well positioned to dominate the market on viewer feedback media. You just need to play your cards right. Give your viewers their 15 minutes, and you will create loyal customers.

"Democratic" tv? Really?

I hope they do that make a even better site. Show the new CEO what they can do. If does turn out like MTV I will go else where. MTV is garbage.

80 Folks in LA, and more elsewhere... hmmm... lot of potential, that...
I wonder if the laid off folks are gathering together planning the next great internet/tv news group? Maybe call it peopleTV... the no nonsense site delivering real content from real people around the planet.

Just a thought ;^)

The moment current moved away from featuring user/viewer content was when they jumped the shark. I think Current Tonight (R.I.P) was just to keep us quiet. Didn't it use to show all 21 or however the amount was and now it only shows a few of the "top posts"? My last few things featured, the posts didn't even get picked for tv stickers.

never easy to slow down the growth. hopefully in this cast the execs will get back to what brung em

FEEDBACK@CURRENT.COM!!!! EVERYONE LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

A sad day . Even at current , money is more important that people . Someday this philosophy will be rejected for the unethical lie it is .

People keep talking about the "content" aspect of Current TV and while I think that you are all making very valid points, I hope that the fact that employees are being cut while the station is turning record profits is not being lost here in the discussion.

It is absolutely without any doubt in my mind that the outsourcing of jobs is destroying our middle class in this country and this is just another example of that corporate greed in action.

#1 -> Good luck to those of you looking for new work. Really.

I have not been a member here all that long. What attracted me to this place is I seek news on the internet - I gave up TV a long time ago... and I really have appreciated the venue of 'world citizen' participants for bringing and sharing news from around the world in one place... and on top of that we could interact. I see this venue as tapping directly upon the real value of the internet.

I have been very disappointed of late. Over the months I see advertising for stuff going to TV that essentially appears to me to be fluff, but I don't get Current TV so I really don't know the 'experience' of it.
But back here on the site...
Today I am here and there's this "supernews" thing dominating the top bar, and the major thing there is about "emoticons have cybersex". WTF do I care about that being on our shared world news medium? What's the point? What is the value in that?

It reflects to me what I feel I see here in general... there seem to be niche pockets of truly concerned world citizens efforting to utilizing the space here to reach out and help raise awareness about various things, and to use the tools here to help joining with others to make things happen. However, there's seems to be a dearth of involvement from the greater community -- which strikes me as unusual. Seems I see really important things get posted here at times that pass with little or no 'attraction'. And I am talking about stuff that, if it showed up on mainstream TV it would raise a huge fuss.

I am uncertain what to attribute this to, as I am not involved with how things work here, however, I do see a lot of similar complaining here at times... folks concerned about how things are being managed and controlled.
Today I was thinking about this and considering leaving this place, and then I happened to see the stupid emoticon thing, and then on top of that I saw a reference to this bit of news about the firings. (Yes, all today, and in that order.) Talk about fueling the fire.

Well obviously there is some change in the air... but its anyone's guess if that's going to be a better thing or not. From the looks of it today, supernews et al, I am less than inspired.

Its a shame, really, this venue seems it could be used to do great things. If it continues down the road of 'glamor used to make money' (so to speak) then I would think it not too difficult to compete by producing a similar venue with a truly open spirit (open to the people).

But then, I do not know how the money is actually made, and maybe only sellouts can make something financially self-sustainable from such a thing..??

From JeremyGoode's posted site:

"Current Media Inc. said the company is moving Current TV away from daily in-house production of short-form programs and toward programs presented in more industry-standard 30- and 60-minute formats."

Bye Bye VC2

Will Al still send us a Christmas card?

Here's another news story about it with more information.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?&entry_id=51482

THEY TOOK YOUR JAWB!

Current is going down the drain with it's last few changes in programming. The old VC2 and little tid bits of information was what made me fiend it. The fact that an old MTV producer is taking it over is dreadful news. I hope Current gets its act together. This is such bullshit.

I hope none of our fave personalities are cut!!!!! sorry to hear about this, hopefully this will make Current Stronger in the long run! dont get watered down like G4 and MTV

i fucking HATE mtv

If Current goes back to its orginal format of user generated content, that would be a step forward, in my opinion. I was bored with their canned shows, and as someone else here said, outsourcing the content back to independent producers helps protect it from being owned by one corporate point of view.

This is very troubling to me. I remember when Current TV started it out, it was about the viewers and they would reward viewers for submitting their vids. but now they are choosing profit over originality at the expense of hurting their employees. To b honest, they are doing less VC2 content and now it's all about shameles pluging products for their money. shame on you current shame on you

I know it sux to loose your job but If I had just lost my job. I would go find who took it and ask them if they are hiring. But hey I know every body is diffrent. My heart goes out to the people that lost there jobs. Just think now you can clean out the closet and the basment and have a yard sale. By the time your done with all that you will have desided what to do with yourself. Remember even the Greatest people had to reinvent them selves every now and then.

WELL I GUESS THAT THE JURY IS BACK IN ON THE NEW SHERIFF.

I'm relatively new to Current TV, so I'm not sure what to think about the programming changes, although I do take issue with the layoffs when it's been the channel's most profitable year thus far and the job market is still dismal.

On the other hand, I'm not surprised. Current is also a business after all and that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Most profitable year to date for Current and they are laying off 80. Thanks Al!

I agree with all of this. The network has changed so much an to be honest there's only so much super news I can watch in a day. There's no more blocks of vcc, it is all becoming too much like MTV. So current, if you're listening, your audience is ready to leave you. Most of us were told about current because of how different it was and we fell in love with it for that reason but now...Not so much.

I guess that infomania commercial with Brett talking about how they were going to outsource the show was actually right. Bummer.

Very sad about this.
It is hard to loose your job.
I went through the same.
Keep your chin up.
Look for what is really valuable.

its a shame that they've strayed so far from their original intent and purpose....cash rules everything around us....and turns it to shit

maybe rosenthal is gonna make current more like mtv...all reality tv with a little bit of news thrown in here and there

I hope that those of you angered by currents actions will not sit down when it's RFID's and checkpoints instead of VC2 and severance pay. the current system is working for too few.
when is enough enough?
when is it time to start stopping traffic?
have I missed entirely, the underlying issue? I dont think so. time to stand up for our rights.

So suprised?

If this network doesn't go back to it's roots and how most of us became familiar with it, all user created programing and submissions, this network will die.

folks, they are cutting about 22% of their work force, WHY THE FUCK in the 1st place did they OVER HIRE?

i don't like the changes that have happened, especially with all that indy-emo music segments that they try to shove down your throat. there is no musical diversity on current, it's all geek rock and hip hop; with dougalas cabri(z)ero. smells like mtv to me.

all the fools have rushed in, the commentators used to be intelligent, now it's just ignorant wackos yelling.

i still love infomania, vanguard, and other stuff. still got current love.

i think current is on life support, we'll see if it gets out of its coma. =(

this makes me quite sad...

I have been very disappointed with Current this past year, too many changes for the worse. I loved the old format of viewer created content and hourly news. I answered a hundred suveys they sent me and every time I emphasized what I thought was the best and most interesting aspects of Current. It is now more like Youtube had sex with MTV and had a bastard deformed child. In know this is harsh, but they deserve it. Current is selling out to the Main Stream Profit Machine, they don't really care about their loyal followers who have been with them from the beginning. That is quite obvious based on how they have slowly but surely removed viewer created content and comments from the lineup.

This would be a great time for a new site that embraces the original mission of Current to come out and steal away the best contributors and producers, those who are dedicated to their chosen topic and level of activism.

OUTSOURCING?!? seriously? Current news is the closest this nation can get to the people's news...not some skewed mainstream propaganda stunt! Programming and production is the heart and the unique character that all Current followers love and deeply, greatly appreciate. Outsourcing these jobs takes that away. Current is a forum for the world to interact in and to call it our own...to literally have our voices heard.

all i can say is .....

SELL OUTS!!

Sorry Guys but I can understand why certain TV shows are being cut. This used to be a viewers/users site and I think they have got lost in their own ego's. In all truth fullness I dont understand why any TV shows are needed ?

Friggen capitalists ruin everything.

AWWWW, MAAAAN! Not only do the layoffs rub,... but Current's recent shift to become more like its competition is no doubt gonna lead to more deterioration of the network and site. I know that Current is a media company,... and fundamentally, money is their boss. But, please Current - hang on to the network's original integrity for as long as possible. And like everyone says,... how could the most profitable and most publicized 12 month period require employee cuts?! As of right now, I still love and value Current,... but they may be heading in the wrong direction.
Well,... good luck to the departed staffers.

Without VC2 (viewer created content) being at the core of this network, the corruption and slanted views that dominate the main stream will emerge here too; its only a matter of time and influence gained by the site. Perhaps this is the first sign of it.

As I read my severance agreement, I realized that Current is not mentioning an important bit of information. Their actions have triggered the WARN Act. Moreover, when Current says that they’ve laid off 80 employees, they’re not mentioning that they plan to lay off, at least, 20 more. One of the factors that triggers the WARN Act is when a company lays off a third of its workforce. Current had about 300 US employees before today’s layoffs, so letting go of 80 employees does not set off WARN. Letting go of 100 would.

Why do I think that Current’s workforce reduction falls under WARN? Because in addition to a promised severance payment, I continue on Current’s payroll for 60 days with benefits – even though I have no obligation to perform work. What Current is doing is getting around the 60 day notification provision under WARN by continuing pay and benefits for laid off workers. In addition, my Termination Agreement states that I would release the company from any claims that it has violated the WARN act.

While Current deflects questions about more lay offs in the coming months, they’re actions cannot hide the fact that they plan to, at least, have a total of 100 employees gone by the next few months.

I hope the new CEO gets what he deserves. Is it always about money,but to outsorse the jobs in this day and age and you send jobs to another country is bullshit.Your new CEO sucks.MoneyMoneyMoney.

#
Well if this brings back programming that is created by it's viewers than I say hell yes.

The problem with Current is that they began with viewer created content. About a year ago they cut most of it out and squashed their VC2 program. They then went to an all in-house development network that really sucked.

I hope outsourcing means that they reach out to many of their former VC2 producers from around the world and bring back quality programming.

"Current Media’s COO, Joanna Drake Earl told me over the phone that the layoffs are due to a shifting of programming strategy and are not a cost-cutting measure. Current is shifting away from in-house production and towards out sourcing segments, which will be done via acquisitions, co-productions, and the use of outside studios. Layoffs took place in Current’s San Francisco, Los Angeles, London and New York offices, but the cuts were mostly made in the production and programming areas. Earl added that this year is set to be Current’s most profitable year since its launch..."

There is absolutely no excuse for lay offs and outsourcing if a company is already profitable and I may very well stop watching, reading and contributing to Current over this. Our economy is bleeding jobs out like a wounded hemophiliac and the executives at Current think it is "good business" to lay people off when they are already making a profit.

Well I say fuck them and fuck that.