Is this the sign/sigh of the times?

Maybe, I don't know any of the details. It could just be a change of direction Universal is taking.

Well, shutting down one major studio says a lot.. Sometimes I even feel like one of my friends dead.

The reason could be anything really, bad management, recent bad planning, sign of times, too much competition.
These things happen from time to time, I do not see such events as the harbinger of doom.

cheers