ABC News Layoffs Fewer Than Expected

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With more than 300 employees accepting voluntary buyouts, ABC News has limited its latest round of bloodletting to 22 staff layoffs, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Hold the celebration, as the 350-400 ABC staffers pink-slipped represent more than 25 percent of the 1,400-person news division (see "TUOL" post 2/24/10).  Casualties include ABC's special events department, as well as a policy shift at "20/20" and "Primetime," where freelancers are replacing full-time employees.

Bureaus were hard hit too, with L.A. losing 40 plus positions, including high-profile veteran correspondents Brian Rooney and Lisa Fletcher, while San Francisco shed Laura Marquez.  Except for Washington, D.C., ABC News plans to shutter its bureaus.

Forget Nightline--someone throw ABC News a "lifeline."