NBC cuts diversity verticals, lays off 150 staffers

NBC News is moving away from diversity initiatives in broadcasting and has "eliminated its teams dedicated to covering issues affecting Black, Asian American, Latino and LGBTQ+ groups," The Wrap reports. This is part of a sweeping layout plan that saw 150 staffers lose their jobs.

It was in 2020 that NBCU chief Cesar Conde launched the diversity plans. "The demographics of America have been changing for decades… and that change is accelerating," he said at the time.

"Women today make up nearly half of the American work force and already earn well over half of all bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees," Conde said. "This year, for the first time, a majority of Americans aged 18 or younger, will be people of color. In twenty years, more than half of all Americans, will be people of color."

"The NBCUniversal News Group is not going to wait for change to happen and just react to it. We’re going to lead," said Conde in 2020. Now, the news brand is trying to catch up.