The Tube For 2/23/10: The Rough Times At ABC

Not a good day for the Disney network and its now ex or soon to be ex staff

In what it called a “fundamental transformation,” ABC News said Tuesday that it was seeking to substantially reduce its staff, possibly by up to 25 percent.

Employees said they were told that the news division is seeking 300 to 400 buyouts, and would resort to layoffs if necessary. ABC News currently employs roughly 1,400 people.

The cuts at ABC, a unit of The Walt Disney Company, are among the steepest ever conducted by a network news division, and are likely to be seen as a further erosion of the company’s news-gathering arm.

ABC News employees said Tuesday that the reaction to the cutbacks was muted, mostly because the announcement had been expected for weeks. “Everyone sees the reality of the industry, and everyone wants to stay competitive,” said one employee who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the network to speak to other media outlets.

Rough out there. Real rough.

But in other ABC stories that broke today

Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol will make her acting debut on the ABC Family drama series, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

The 19-year-old will play herself on the hit show.

Palin, who is probably the most well known teen mother in the U.S., will appear as a friend to the show's main character, Amy.

Our ever changing world.