Overview
- Reports Monday based on Bloomberg say Hartbeat is in crisis with layoffs and stalled projects during a broader pullback in Hollywood spending.
- Hart, who retook the CEO title in January 2025, delegated control to Jeff Clanagan and CFO Eric Stoneburner and was often absent, and he later changed his phone number after a staff cut, according to the reports.
- A January deal with Authentic Brands Group moved Kevin Hart’s endorsement and licensing work out of Hartbeat and gave him a path to buy out investor Abry Partners.
- The company fired about 20 of roughly 80 employees before Thanksgiving and later trimmed teams in podcasting and scripted TV as development slowed.
- The podcast division drew lawsuits after firings, and a judge rejected part of Hartbeat’s requested injunction as too vague and too broad.