A view inside SiriusXM Studios on March 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Joining the likes of Spotify, Microsoft, and Google, SiriusXM on Monday said it's laying off 8 percent of its workforce, or about 475 employees, in response to flagging subscriber growth.
The satellite radio firm warned earlier this year that it was anticipating a drop off in subscribers due to widespread fears of a recession in 2023. At the same time, Sirius relies heavily on advertising revenue from car companies, which have seen weaker sales in recent months.
"We streamlined our non-headcount costs by reducing content and marketing spend, decreasing our real estate footprint, and most recently, implementing tighter restrictions in our Travel and Entertainment policy," CEO Jennifer Witz said in a letter to staff. "However, today’s decision to reduce our workforce was required in order for us to maintain a sustainably profitable company."
She added that "nearly every department across SiriusXM will be impacted" as the company implements a new, more streamlined organizational structure.
Employees getting laid off will receive exit packages that include "severance, transitional health insurance benefits, Employee Advocacy Program continuation, and outplacement services."
"Today is one of the most difficult days we’ve had to face as a team, and these changes impact each of us deeply," wrote Witz. "However, it is my belief that these tough decisions were necessary as we look to capture the opportunity in front of us."
Stocks fell in the opening session Tuesday as earnings reports continued to pour in and as investors brace for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision on Wednesday.
A flow of recent data from the U.S. government has made one thing strikingly clear: A surge in consumer spending is fueling strong growth, demonstrating a resilience that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and caregivers not to buy or serve certain pureed fruit pouches marketed to toddlers and young children because the food might contain dangerous levels of lead.
General Motors and the United Auto Workers union have reached a tentative contract agreement that could end a six-week-old strike against Detroit automakers, three people briefed on the deal said.
Apple's 8pm ET event Monday will revolve around its iMAC computer lineup of products which are expected to contain its new faster and three next-generation silicon chip.
