Jobs at Sky’s Leeds and Livingston sites are at risk as the broadcaster, tech and comms giant begins a consultation with around 900 staff across the two sites, and a third in Osterley, London, which is expected to result in about 600 tech job losses.
The jobs are going as part of a reorganisation of Sky’s technology team as it moves from creating new platforms, like Sky Glass and Sky Stream television, to working on existing services.
As the company moves from product development, it’s understood that teams need to be “simpler, more focused and flexible.” More tech functions are also being carried out across Sky’s international operations.
Sky News reports that the job losses will not be down to individual performance, but rather to better meet the needs of customers and the business. It also claims that internal redeployment opportunities will be available, as will assistance in finding new jobs externally.
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A Sky spokesperson said: “Over the past few years, Sky has launched a set of market-leading products including Sky Glass, Sky Stream and our full fibre broadband service.
“These products are now firmly established and used by millions of customers, strengthening Sky’s reputation for innovation and great service.
“As we look ahead, we are shifting our approach to bring customers the next generation of experience by investing in digital-first service, unbeatable content, and even better performance from our products, powered by the best of global innovation.”
Sky added that the move followed a period of extraordinary change over the past three years, with investment to expand its broadband capability as well as launch its new generation of products and platforms.
The company is now preparing for its next cycle of investment, with a focus on improving its existing products and services rather than creating new platforms.
The latest cuts follow bad news from Sky earlier this year, when it announced plans to close customer service centres in Stockport, Sheffield and Leeds Central, with operations in Dunfermline and Newcastle also affected, impacting about 2,000 jobs and reducing Sky’s total UK sites from 10 to seven.
