Peter Kafka

Recent Posts by Peter Kafka

RealNetworks Cuts 130, 7.5 Percent of Workforce

Next up on today’s layoff parade: RealNetworks (RNWK), which is cutting 130 jobs, or 7.5 percent of the workforce. Standard explanation: The company is trying to “bring expenses in line with revenues in a time of economic turmoil.”

The layoffs are companywide. The company tells us it is not shutting down the New York office of Rhapsody America, the music subscription service that Real runs as a joint venture with Viacom’s (VIA) MTV as Gawker reported this morning. The corporatewide layoffs were first reported by CNET.

Other details relevant to laid-off employees:

  • All are on payroll through the end of the year
  • Each will be offered a cash severance package based on length of service
  • Said severance package will include six months of paid COBRA
  • Etc., etc.

Real PR boss Bill Hankes has more details at the company’s blog.

Latest Video

View all videos »

Search »

There’s a lot of attention and PR around Marissa, but their product lineup just kind of blows.

— Om Malik on Bloomberg TV, talking about Yahoo, the September issue of Vogue Magazine, and our overdependence on Google