Newsrooms at Chicago TV stations are buzzing after hearing about a round of layoffs at WGN that affected several on-air talents, a circumstance that has touched local network affiliates but rarely has hit “Chicago’s Very Own.”
The Sun-Times has learned that 8-9 camera-facing employees were let go Monday, following recent layoffs behind the scenes that included writers. They come as WGN parent company Nexstar is working to merge with Tegna in a deal that’s under regulatory review.
A Nexstar spokesperson said in a statement to the Sun-Times: “Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.”
The layoffs are an apparent effort to cut costs in anticipation of the excessive debt Nexstar will incur from money borrowed to buy Tegna. WGN is still very profitable, despite changes in viewing habits, but the cuts have to come from somewhere, through no fault of the employees affected. Nexstar already has been carrying the debt from its $4.1 billion purchase of Tribune Media in 2019.
Ratings-wise, WGN News performs great in the morning, dominates Fox 32 at 9 p.m. and is competitive at 10. Its popular morning-news show is emulated by other stations in the country.
