• Bloomberg, Friday, June 19, 2009 9:30 AM

ABC has completed the merger of its studio and programming divisions, in an effort to cut costs by producing more of its own shows. ABC Studios, which produces "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy," also creates shows for other networks.

Executives named to lead the combined operation include Jeff Bader, executive vice president of ABC Entertainment Group for planning, schedule and distribution. Barry Jossen will lead creative production at ABC Studios.

Just under 40 existing and unfilled positions at ABC were eliminated in the combination, say insiders. It is the second round of layoffs this year. In January, the company cut 200 employees at ABC and at cable channels including SoapNet, and eliminated 200 unfilled positions.

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