Yahoo HK scales back media operations with staff cuts

Yahoo will begin a phased scale-back of its Hong Kong media operations in April, including Yahoo News and its financial news services, ending 27 years of local service.

In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a Yahoo spokesperson said the wind-down is targeted for completion later this year and reflects ongoing global adjustments aligned with the company’s long-term priorities.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Search are not impacted by this transition and will continue to operate as usual in Hong Kong, said the spokesperson. 

According to HK01 and HKET, Yahoo Hong Kong held a meeting on Tuesday (17 March) with content and commercial staff to announce a scale-back of its media operations — including Yahoo News and financial news services — with reduced operations starting 1 April. Most full-time newsroom staff, including sales team members, will be laid off on 31 March, leaving only a small number of employees to handle transition arrangements, and some staff have already been notified on Tuesday.

According to reports, Yahoo News’ content providers will continue to supply material after 31 March, and a small number of Yahoo Hong Kong staff will maintain the homepage during a transition period tentatively scheduled to run until June. The current 30 to 40 full-time staff are expected to be reduced by about two-thirds after 31 March. The company currently employs around 20 full‑time staff working on media and content, including news, entertainment, lifestyle and travel sections.

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Established in 1999, five years after Yahoo was founded in the US, Yahoo Hong Kong began as a web portal offering search and email and relied on partners for content until 2021, when it launched an editorial team that uses user data to understand reader needs and produce original reporting.

Yahoo Hong Kong’s content partners include local outlets such as on.cc, NOW News, The Witness, Oriental Daily, as well as international agency Agence France‑Presse (AFP), according to its website.

Mark your calendars for 24 June! #Content360 Hong Kong returns with a dynamic, one-day event dedicated to pivotal trends—from the silver economies to breakthrough IP collaborations, sports, and beyond. Let's dive into the art of curating content with creativity, critical thinking and confidence!

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