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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNexstar Media Group Inc. has terminated about two dozen employees at CBS affiliate WTTV-TV Channel 4 and Fox affiliate WXIN-TV Channel 59 in Indianapolis, industry sources told IBJ on Wednesday.
The cuts included at least one on-air reporter and several photographers and news producers.
Irving, Texas-based Nexstar acquired WTTV and WXIN in September as part of its $7.2 billion acquisition of Tribune Media Group, creating the country’s biggest broadcast company.
Dominic Mancuso, who was named vice president and general manager of the two TV stations late last month, declined to discuss the job eliminations.
“We do not comment on personnel matters,” he said in an email to IBJ.
Samantha Myers, an on-air reporter at WXIN since May 2016, acknowledged her termination on social media Wednesday. She later told IBJ she would try to find employment at another station.
“This day was shocking and heartbreaking,” she said in a text. “I finally get to spend some time with my family this holiday season and I’m already gearing up for the job hunt. I plan on staying in the business because I can’t imagine myself not being in the business. Being a reporter is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.”
Myers said she personally knew of seven people who had lost their jobs, but she estimated the number was closer to 20. Industry sources pegged the number at 25 and as many as 30 or more.
Among those who revealed their job losses on social media were longtime traffic reporter and producer Bill Remeika and production assistant Brad Huber.
Sources said at least five photographers were among those cut, plus numerous people in creative services and production.
To buy WXIN and WTTV and still comply with Federal Communications Commission ownership rules, Nexstar had to sell off local stations WISH-TV Channel 8 and WNDY-TV Channel 23.
Circle City Broadcasting LLC acquired WISH and WNDY. It has been adding news staffers.
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These companies … and for what? So a few bigwigs meet their numbers target and thus get a fat bonus? And right before Christmas.
We watch Fox59 and it seems that the “news” is just stories pulled off the internet or other sources who have done the work. Plus the more sensational the better. I want stories, good and bad, about what is happening to and in our area or state.
How do you know the stories are pulled off of the Internet?
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As far as sensationalism setting the tone/trend, that’s the news business (in general): “if it bleeds, it leads”. They’re in the business of generating ratings points.
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