A gloomy Deadline report suggests The New York Times may cut chunks of its Arts section in 2017.

But a Times spokesperson told Publishers Daily this claim is “inaccurate and based on misinformed anonymous sources.”

“As we made clear in our comments to Deadline, arts coverage is a core part of The New York Times’ mission and will remain so,” the spokesperson added.

Deadline reported Wednesday that anonymous Times culture staff members said 2017 will be a “bloodbath” for the section. Sources claimed the new front page of the Arts section will be cut in half, with three feature stories instead of six.

The Times spokesperson told Publishers Daily the newspaper is  hiring two employees to the Arts section, which has 22 full-time critics — six of whom joined in the last year — and 12 reporters.

“Instead of cutting back as other news organizations are sadly being forced to do, we are investing in arts coverage,” the spokesperson added.

Last week, the Times launched a film and television recommendation Web site called Watching. The site helps users choose shows and movies to watch as well as makes recommendations based on what the user has previously watched and enjoyed. Watching is run by Times television editor Gilbert Cruz.

Watching also has a biweekly newsletter written by Times TV critic Margaret Lyons and movie writer Monica Castillo.

When asked if Watching is in some way a replacement of arts coverage to be cut, the spokesperson said: “It is a new part of The New York Times arts coverage. It didn't replace anything.”

While the Arts section may be safe for now, the Times and The Wall Street Journal have cut and consolidated other sections this fall.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal announced it would combine its Personal Journal and Arena sections — which cover lifestyle, art, sports and culture — into a new section called Life & Arts. The Wall Street Journal is also downsizing its metro section, Greater New York, from six pages to two and will be cutting its staff.

In September, the Times got rid of its regional theater, restaurant and arts coverage in Connecticut, Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey. Readers and subscribers in those areas now receive the same Metropolitan section as readers in New York City.

These moves are a way to offset declining print advertising revenue. This week, The Wall Street Journal reported a 21% loss in the paper’s advertising revenue in its most recent quarter. The Times reported a 19% decline in print ad revenue this quarter.