Google Lays Off 25% Of Google TV Team Amid AI And YouTube Overhaul: Report

Despite the budget reductions, Google hasn’t backed away from its vision for the living room. The company plans to integrate its Gemini AI model into the Google TV experience later this year

While layoffs are underway in the Google TV team, the company reportedly still intends to hire in select geographies

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Google has initiated another round of workforce reductions, this time targeting its Google TV division. According to a report by The Information, approximately 25 per cent of the team has been laid off as the company continues to realign its business priorities. With the division previously employing nearly 300 people, the layoffs may have impacted around 75 roles.

This development comes alongside a reported 10 percent cut in the unit’s budget, raising questions about the pace of future updates and innovation for the smart TV platform. These changes appear to be part of a broader internal shift, as Google increases its focus on artificial intelligence and strategic expansion of YouTube's streaming capabilities.

Despite the budget reductions, Google hasn’t backed away from its vision for the living room. The company plans to integrate its Gemini AI model into the Google TV experience later this year. Gemini is designed to deliver more personalized and conversational interactions, enhancing user experience through AI-driven assistance.

Google views televisions as a central home device and aims to improve usability by making them more responsive to voice commands and intelligent recommendations. However, with a leaner team, some features may take longer to reach users.

Focus Turns Toward YouTube As Streaming Hub

Another contributing factor to the restructuring may be Google’s ambitious plans for YouTube. Reports suggest a major redesign is underway to transform the platform into a more premium, streaming-like service, reminiscent of Netflix or Disney+. This shift could position YouTube as a stronger revenue-generating platform by encouraging users to consume and pay for more exclusive content.

Hiring Still Ongoing In Some Regions

While layoffs are underway in the Google TV team, the company reportedly still intends to hire in select geographies. Meanwhile, Google continues to enforce its return-to-office policies. In April, CNBC reported that some remote employees were told to resume working onsite at least three times a week or risk termination.

The company maintains that in-person collaboration leads to better problem-solving, a belief it seems to be doubling down on as it shifts toward AI and content-first strategies.

A Strategic Reset

With AI integration ramping up and YouTube’s transformation on the horizon, Google’s latest move suggests a recalibration of internal priorities rather than a pullback from the smart TV space altogether. Still, for the Google TV unit, the future may depend heavily on how effectively the company balances its vision with fewer resources.