Revision3 Cuts Back On Shows And Staff

Web video production house Revsion3 is canceling three shows, cutting back staff, and ending distribution agreements with Wine Library TV and Epic Fu. Rumors started swirling earlier today about layoffs, when Rocketboom founder Andrew Barron put out a Tweet about one of the layoffs. Revision3 CEO Jim Louderback confirms in a blog post that three in-house shows have been canceled (the long-running Pixel Perfect, as well as PopSiren, and Internet Superstar). In addition, Revsion3 will no longer be distributing Smashface’s Epic Fu or Gary Vaynerchuck’s Wine Library TV, possibly because those required upfront payments to the producers of those shows which Revision3 had been hoping to make up over time in advertising revenues.

In his post, Louderback writes:

As you may have heard, today we had to make some tough staffing decisions as we ended the run of a few of our shows.

Even though we’re sad to see these shows end on Revision3, in today’s economic climate it’s essential for us to focus on what we do best, and where the best opportunity for success lie.

We’re continuing to develop and invest in new properties. We launched seven new shows last month, for instance, on Revision3 Beta, and we’ve got high hopes for an expanded lineup there – and seeing some of that first crop graduate to Revision3

He does not say how many people were laid off. I’ve asked him via e-mail. (I count at least five. Caroline McCarthy at Cnet counts nine, which would be about one third of employees. If anyone knows the exact number, please submit it to our Layoff Tracker. Update: Kevin Rose lists ten people). Smashface, for its part, is laying off three staffers as a result of losing the Revision3 licensing revenue.

Revision3 was founded by Digg founders Jay Adelson and Kevin Rose (who also hosts its most popular show, Diggnation). It raised $8 million just last June. But producing video shows can be very expensive.