Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions, told staff in the memo that it will “stop production” at all its locations “due to unforeseen business interruptions.”
“Unfortunately, we expect this layoff to be permanent, meaning it will result in the permanent separation of employment from most T&R employees in all locations,” Solodovnikov wrote.
T&R Productions operated offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
Roku, a company that sells hardware that allows users to stream content over the Internet, also said it had also banned RT America from its platform.
RT, which operates multiple networks around the world, has seen its reach decline significantly in recent days as tech companies and television providers have begun to cut ties with RT as a result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.
Several employees of RT’s various networks have also publicly resigned from the outlet.
RT America employees working from the agency in Washington, DC, were informed on Wednesday that a meeting with all employees would be held Thursday afternoon, according to an email received by DailyExpertNews.
When presenters, correspondents, producers and others gathered in the lounge of RT America, Solodovnikov delivered the news personally, a person who attended the meeting told DailyExpertNews.
“The meeting lasted about two minutes,” the participant said, explaining that Solodovnikov told the assembled staff that RT America would stop production and that the staff would be paid two months’ wages.
The participant, who requested anonymity to discuss the internal deliberations, told DailyExpertNews the mood was bleak.
“A lot of people were shocked,” the person says. “A lot of people were crying.”
An RT America host, who also spoke to DailyExpertNews on condition of anonymity, said she watched as her entire staff was told “their jobs were gone.”
“I have never felt so heartbroken because they have nothing to do with this conflict and were seriously trying to earn a decent income to provide for their family,” the host said.
Solodovnikov did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An RT America spokesperson did not respond to multiple requests for comment.