Walt Disney Co. is firing 200 employees at ABC television and cable channels such as SoapNet, including 40 people in news, according to a person with knowledge of the plans.

The broadcast and cable division is also eliminating 200 positions that haven’t been filled, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public. The actions were announced today in a memo to employees by Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Disney, the second-largest U.S. media company, is cutting costs to cope with the longest U.S. recession in a quarter-century and shrinking advertising sales. ESPN, the company’s sports cable channel, said yesterday it will eliminate 200 separate unfilled positions, halt raises for executives and freeze hiring through September 2010.

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