Native meteorologists who belong to 27 information stations below the Allen Media Group at the moment are going through layoffs.
Allen Media, which acquired The Climate Channel for $300 million in March 2018, stated in a press launch that the corporate is rolling out a “groundbreaking” new format for native climate information that will probably be produced at The Climate Channel’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The newly-created hub will ship a feed of climate forecasts and updates to native stations and be led by a 20-year veteran of The Climate Channel, meteorologist Carl Parker.
An individual acquainted with the matter informed CNN Enterprise on Tuesday that the transition will end in at the least 50 native meteorologists being laid off, although some will probably be supplied a spot on the Atlanta workforce working below Parker.
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Different business veterans, nevertheless, are being proven the door.
Native meteorologists affected by layoffs have been disclosing they have been let go on social media. Information anchor Patrece Dayton and chief meteorologist Kevin Orpurt, each with WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana, gave their remaining broadcast collectively on Thursday. Dayton had been reporting with the station for almost 37 years and Orpurt for over 40 years.
“For these of you who do not know, each of our positions are being eradicated right here at WTHI-TV,” Dayton stated. “The tv information enterprise normally is altering nationwide and funds cuts are taking place all over the place.”
Amber Kulick, a WAAY-TV meteorologist primarily based in Huntsville, Ala, wrote in a Fb submit on Friday that she was affected by the layoffs.
“By now most of you’ve gotten in all probability seen the chatter about Allen media letting native meteorologists go, properly I’m one which will probably be affected by this,” Kulick wrote.
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Josh Franson, a KWWL-TV meteorologist primarily based in Jap Iowa, took to X to submit that he was affected by layoffs too.
“Hey guys, If you have not heard the latest information concerning the layoffs, I needed to share that our station is a kind of impacted,” he wrote.
Hey guys, If you have not heard the latest information concerning the layoffs, I needed to share that our station is a kind of impacted. It was an honor to forecast the climate for Jap Iowa. I’m so grateful to KWWL for this chance. #wxtwitter #iawx pic.twitter.com/eRKBuSvXlE
— Josh Franson ☈ (@FrannyWX) January 18, 2025
In keeping with Pew Analysis from Might 2024, about 90% of Individuals who observe native information achieve this for details about the climate, the very best out of another class of stories.
The brand new initiative will leverage The Climate Channel’s superior know-how, like progressive forecasting instruments and immersive combined actuality, to ship climate information with superior visible storytelling components, in line with the press launch.
“We’re 100% dedicated to delivering next-level climate information to our native tv stations 24/7,” stated Tom O’Brien, president of Climate Group/The Climate Channel, in a press launch.
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