Wgn Layoffs: wgn layoffs hit WGN-TV as anchors and reporters are cut amid Nexstar’s Tegna push
The wgn layoffs landed Monday as the Chicago station let go eight to nine on-air staffers, a move that follows a series of recent behind-the-scenes reductions and comes while Nexstar awaits federal approval of its planned acquisition of Tegna. The cuts have touched veteran anchors and reporters and arrive against a backdrop of merger filings and mounting company debt.
Wgn Layoffs: who was let go and how some were notified
The round of departures included entertainment critic and reporter Dean Richards and sports anchor Chris Boden, along with news anchors Ray Cortopassi, Sean Lewis and Judy Wang. Reporters Julian Crews and Bronagh Tumulty, meteorologist Mike Janssen and political analyst Paul Lisnek were also among the names released. Sean Lewis, a weekend morning anchor and a nearly 20-year veteran of the station, said he was informed of his dismissal Monday afternoon after filing what became his final report for the noon broadcast. Ray Cortopassi was reportedly removed in the middle of his shift, leaving Micah Materre to work solo on the anchor desk Monday night. More staff could be laid off Tuesday.
Behind-the-scenes cuts that preceded the on-air departures
The on-air reductions follow several recent rounds of newsroom trimming. In the most recent month, six newswriters and three technical directors were cut, and four floor directors were let go in October. Other recent reductions included copywriters, widening the changes beyond visible on-air talent.
What management said in statements about personnel moves
Company communications addressed the staffing changes in near-identical language. One statement said the company is "taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change. " Another statement added, "Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change. " The company otherwise declined to comment on specific personnel matters.
Merger figures, regulatory posture and debt concerns
The cuts come as Nexstar awaits federal approval of its proposed acquisition of Tegna; one valuation cited for that deal was $6. 8 billion while another account placed the announced price at $6. 2 billion. The August announcement that Nexstar would acquire Tegna for $6. 2 billion was framed as creating a broadcast behemoth that would cover about 80% of U. S. TV households and would require the Federal Communications Commission to lift its 39% ownership cap. Last week, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signaled he is prepared to approve the merger. The layoffs have been described as an apparent effort to cut costs in anticipation of the excessive debt Nexstar will incur from money borrowed to buy Tegna. Nexstar already is carrying debt from its 2019 acquisition of Tribune Media, a purchase valued at $4. 1 billion that included WGN.
Veteran talent, station history and ratings posture
Some of the talents let go are nationally known from WGN’s days as a superstation. Dean Richards joined the station in 1991 as a staff announcer and became a regular contributor in 1998. Julian Crews has covered the city and state since 1996. Chris Boden has covered sports for more than 30 years at a half-dozen Chicago TV and radio stations. Judy Wang began at the defunct CLTV in 1995 before joining WGN in 2009. Station-level performance remains notable: WGN is still very profitable despite changes in viewing habits, WGN News performs well in the morning, dominates at 9 p. m. against Fox 32 and is competitive at 10, and its popular morning-news show has been emulated by other stations.
