Wgn Layoffs Force Eight On-Air Staff Out at WGN-Ch. 9
The wgn layoffs on Monday removed eight on-air reporters and anchors from WGN-Ch. 9 in Chicago, a round of cuts that comes as the station’s parent company moves forward with a costly merger plan.
Eight employees who appeared on camera were let go Monday at WGN-Ch. 9 in Chicago, with some reports putting the number at 8–9. The station’s owner, Nexstar Media Group, issued a brief statement: “Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change. ”
Wgn Layoffs hit weekend anchor Sean Lewis
Among those dismissed was weekend morning anchor Sean Lewis, a nearly 20-year veteran of the station. Lewis was informed of his dismissal Monday afternoon after filing what became his final report for the noon broadcast, marking a high-profile exit from the station’s long-running morning lineup.
Cuts tied to Nexstar-Tegna merger and mounting debt
Executives have framed the wgn layoffs as cost-cutting measures tied to Nexstar’s proposed $6. 8 billion acquisition of Tegna. The company will take on additional debt if the deal closes; Nexstar already carried large obligations after its $4. 1 billion purchase of Tribune Media in 2019. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signaled he is prepared to approve the merger, leaving federal approval as the next major regulatory step.
Recent newsroom reductions and immediate impact
These on-air cuts follow other newsroom reductions: six newswriters and three technical directors were cut last month, and four floor directors were let go in October. Station ratings remain a bright spot—WGN’s morning news performs well and its 9 p. m. newscast competes strongly—but company officials have said the cuts are part of broader moves to manage costs ahead of the pending acquisition.
For now, the next confirmed milestone is federal review of Nexstar’s proposed $6. 8 billion purchase of Tegna; the company awaits that approval while implementing staffing changes at WGN-Ch. 9.
