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Tag Archive for 'layoffs'

Report: Layoffs at WTVJ Imminent

Author Alex on 1/19/2010 in Local Media and departures.

Possible Layoffs at WTVJAccording to reports on FTVLive.com, layoffs may soon be on their way to all NBC O&O’s, including WTVJ. According to sources, NBC O&O’s are being asked to pay in excess of 10 million dollars together to help cover the reported nearly $40 million dollars being given to Conan O’Brien and his staffers as a severance payment. The alleged problem is there is simply no way to raise the money without layoffs. FTVLive says that in other words, more layoffs are expected to hit the owned and operated stations.

“The only way the O&O’s will be able to raise the money will be through layoffs.” A source tells FTVLive’s Scott Jones.

So what’s next to go at WTVJ? Better yet, what exactly can go at WTVJ? The once glorious station is running a skin and bones operation as it is; already dissolving it’s weekend morning news and sports.  What more can they get rid of? What (or who) do you think is next to go?

48 Comments Tags: layoffs, NBC Miami, nbc6, WTVJ.

NBC Centralizes Creative Services; Possible Layoffs at WTVJ

Author admin on 8/20/2009 in Local Media.

NBC recently announced they’re centralizing the creative services departments at all of their owned stations. According to Broadcasting and Cable this will result in “substantial layoffs” at all NBC-owned affiliates.

NBC-owned stations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Chicago will be hosting the new media planning and sales marketing teams who will assist the rest of the stations with their branding and promo strategies.

A creative services director will map out the branding and promotion strategy of the station, work with the centralized teams and with an outside creative agency with which NBC already has a working relationship.

NBC-owned KXAS in Dallas, Texas is said to be laying off 10 people by September 18.

1 Comment Tags: centralizing, layoffs, nbc, nbc6, NBCMiami, WTVJ.

What’s next to go at NBC6?

Author Alex on 7/6/2009 in Local Media.

As the layoffs at WTVJ continue, the question often asked is “what’s next to go?” The following are predictions based on alleged tips, and general knowledge. None of the following is confirmed in any way.

  • South Florida Today – This really seems like the only “dead weight” left at the station. Think about it. They need morning news. They need evening news at 6PM and 11PM. Do they need to staff a “talk show” that pulls in low ratings, and is most likely costing more that than it makes? They just diminished the non-essential weekend sports show. South Florida Today is next on the hit list.
  • AM Producer(s)/Staffing – I want to stress that this is all just non-confirmed predictions. With the 11AM show gone, why keep the producer or staff for it? It’s just a given that if a show gets canceled, so does it’s staff.
  • Dead Weight Reporters – If you don’t report every night, or have no current time when you’re needed; why keep you? Political reporters are a thing of the past. If you can’t be multi-functional and a cost saver for your station, you can say goodbye.
  • The Studio – Several people have commented saying that a move to Hialeah is possible. Telemundo owns a facility there, and that was the location T51 was planning on moving into after the sale. Why pay for two facilities in this tough time?

Note: I’m not talking about anyone in specific in the article. I’m just throwing out the most likely scenarios, and the repercussions of those scenarios. Your thoughts in the comments.

24 Comments Tags: layoffs, NBC Miami, nbc6, South Florida Today, WTVJ.

WTVJ Layoffs Is it the Economy or a Buyer?

Author admin on 7/3/2009 in Local Media.

When I read of the WTVJ layoffs a few theories popped up in my head while trying to figure out why they keep laying people off. Nothing based on tips or anything, just guessing on what could be going on.

1. A buyer for WTVJ has emerged, interested in the station:

a)  Buyer looking to run things on the lean. Assuming NBC isn’t flexible on the asking price this potential buyer is probably willing to give NBC the asking price but only in exchange for less burden i.e. high-paid on-air talent, too much staff.

b) the buyer is a  media company who sees the need to invest in WTVJ in order to make them a viable competitor but to do this, and give NBC the asking price, WTVJ has to ’shed some weight’ if you will.
Continue reading ‘WTVJ Layoffs Is it the Economy or a Buyer?’

86 Comments Tags: layoffs, WTVJ.

First on SFLTV – Confirmed: Major Layoffs at WTVJ!

Author Alex on 6/29/2009 in Local Media.

UPDATE: More talent layoff news after the jump below.

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Breaking news now confirmed by SFLTV.com: Major talent layoffs at WTVJ NBC6 today. Shocked tipsters are telling SFLTV.com that longtime anchor and South Florida icon/news legend Kelly Craig was laid off from the station early Monday afternoon. You heard right. The anchor that has been there since April of 1990 was laid off. Joining in this major round of lay-offs are weekday morning reporter Joe Carter, and Andrea Brody, the only female sports anchor at WTVJ. SFLTV is told that these layoffs were all most likely due to the economy.

Talent wasn’t the only cost-cutting item to go.  SFLTV.com has confirmed that  WTVJ has canceled the NBC6 weekend morning newscast.

We observed this “Tweet” by WTVJ executive producer Tammy Delgado, which seemed to originally confirm the suspicion of the layoffs:

“I hate today.. hate it.. hate it.. hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Tammy would be the producer in charge of both Kelly Craig and Joe Carter. As of 3:30 PM on 6/29, their bios have been removed.

We contacted Ms. Craig and received this response:

Continue reading ‘First on SFLTV – Confirmed: Major Layoffs at WTVJ!’

137 Comments Tags: andrea brody, departures, joe carter, kelly craig, layoffs, nbc6, NBCMiami, WTVJ.

Huge Layoffs at WFOR Today?

Author admin on 5/8/2009 in Local Media.

update2: more info… another tipster telling us they heard also laid off were CBS4 Broward bureau manager, 2 photogs.
update: getting info… All live truck ops have been fired, two sports producers, weather producer, Liv Davalos’s contract expired and was not renewed. Weekend morning show axed.

Last night we got a tip about an impending layoff at WFOR. This morning we have a ton of tips from people frantically telling us that after the morning at WFOR meeting layoffs will be announced. I haven’t been able to confirm i, but FTVLive.com has it in their update today.

Curiously WFOR’s boss Adrienne Roark has been tweeting the last couple of weeks about being in meetings and that “…the biz is changing”.

30 Comments Tags: layoffs, WFOR.

WTVJ Cutbacks Coming

Author Alex on 4/9/2009 in Local Media and departures.

NBC6 is rolling out more cutbacks and layoffs. Yesterday, NBC6’s “web reporter”  Ian Wood was let go, as was NBC6’s 11AM show producer Ted Goldenberg.  Both were let go due to the current economic crises and condition. In a meeting early Tuesday, NBC6’s news director Yvette Miley warned of more layoffs and cutbacks. Rumors have it that an on-air talent at 11AM may be the next to be let go. But it’s pure speculation. It is also speculated that NBC6 will loose a few managers in sales and in production. One sales manager was already let go, Carolyn Navarra Overall, very rough times at WTVJ.

12 Comments Tags: Carolyn Navarra, Ian Wood, layoffs, NBC Miami, nbc6, Ted Goldenberg, WTVJ, Yvette Miley.

Miami Herald Cuts 250 Jobs

Author admin on 6/16/2008 in Local Media.

17% of Miami Herald’s staff will be laid off. Publisher David Landsberg said in a memo to staffers today the cuts are taking place at all levels of the company. The layoffs include 190 full-time and part-time employees along with the elimination of other open positions. Some will be laid off while other employees will have an option for severance packages:

Although many of these job eliminations will occur through involuntary layoffs, there also will be opportunities for employees to voluntarily elect a severance package where reductions are occurring in workgroups of two or more employees. If enough employees do not take the voluntary option, then the workgroups will be reduced to least tenure.

The McClatchy Company which owns The Miami Herald is laying off about 1400 people at all newspapers it owns in a bid to save money. Altogether the company estimates the savings will be about $70 million a year.

In April of this year the Miami Herald reported their circulation dropped 11.7% to 240,223 copies

6 Comments Tags: david landsberg, layoffs, miami herald.

Media General in Tampa Offers Buy Outs to Half of 1,326 Employees

Author admin on 4/14/2008 in Media Headlines.

Big news coming from Tampa.

Media General’s parent company Florida Communications Group which oversees the operation of WFLA-TV, TBO.com, The Tampa Tribune and other smaller newspapers in the area is offering half of their 1,326 employees voluntary buyouts.

663 select employees from all news operations will have an option to accept either 1 week pay for every year employed up to 26 weeks or 2 weeks pay for every year employed up to 39 weeks.

Florida Communications Group president John Schueler says if not enough employees accept the severance offered there may be layoffs because the “cost savings needed are significant”

0 Comments Tags: layoffs, media general, tampa tribune, tbo.com.

Monday Morning Links

Author admin on 4/7/2008 in Links.

Feds suing Fox for refusing to pay indecency fine
Marilyn Mitzel’s trial still on, deposed by WSVN lawyer /bottom of page/
WPEC’s Suzanne Boyd 1st place in Kravis Center Gala dance competition
Broadcasting and Cable: More Layoffs coming?
The Disappearing of the TV Critic
Baltimore Sun: Local TV is no longer a cash cow
Fox Renews King of the Hill for 13th Season

2 Comments Tags: fox, indecency, layoffs, marilyn mitzel, suzanne boyd, wpec, WSVN.