WGN-TV Lays Off 8 On-Air Anchors, Reporters Despite Parent Company’s ‘Solid’ Financial Results
CHICAGO — Earlier this week, WGN-TV laid off at least eight on-air anchors and reporters, a move similar to job cuts being made nationally by the Chicago media outlet’s parent company, Nexstar Media Group. At the same time, the Texas-based business reported “solid” financial results Thursday with a fourth quarter net revenue of $1.29 billion for the country’s largest local television broadcasting group.
The layoffs come as Nexstar Media Group waits for federal approval of a proposed merger with another large media company, Tegna, which they acquired for a reported $6.8 billion last August. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump expressed his support of the merger in a post on Truth Social.
We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks. Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar – Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition, and at a higher and more sophisticated level. Those that are opposed don’t fully understand how good the concept of this Deal is for them, but they will in the future. GET THAT DEAL DONE! PRESIDENT DJT
Truth Social post on Feb. 7
Those laid off at WGN include Sean Lewis, Ray Cortopassi, Bronagh Tumulty, Judy Wang, Julian Crews, Paul Lisnek, Chris Boden and Dean Richards, reports the Chicago Tribune. Nexstar bought WGN-Ch. 9 in 2019 as part of its $4.1 billion acquisition of Chicago-based Tribune Media — the former broadcast parent of Tribune Publishing.
Tumulty reacted to the news on social media. In a Tuesday post on X, the general assignment reporter said, “Not sure what’s next…but I’ve climbed bigger mountains than this. The last six years in Chicago have been wonderful and I’ve been surrounded by the best people.”
According to Nexstar’s portfolio, the company has more than 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people, covering nearly 70 percent of all U.S. television households
“Nexstar delivered another quarter and year of solid financial results, while taking bold steps to better compete with big tech and big media by reinforcing our position as the nation’s leading local broadcasting company,” Perry A. Sook, founder, chairman and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, said Thursday.
In a news release, SAG-AFTRA condemned the layoffs at WGN and at KTLA in Los Angeles.
“By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it,” said actor and SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin.
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