Breaking: Jim Watkins Fired From WPIX

Veteran WPIX/Channel 11 anchor Jim Watkins has been fired from the station, FishbowlNY has learned exclusively.

Sources with knowledge of the situation say Watkins, the station’s solo weekend anchor, was abruptly terminated Tuesday by news director Bill Carey.

We’re told that Watkins is no longer permitted in the WPIX building on 42nd Street.

Watkins, who joined WPIX in 1998, was part of the long-running evening anchor tandem with Kaity Tong. However, with the arrival of Jodi Applegate in October 2010, Watkins was relegated to weekend anchor.

Before arriving at WPIX, Watkins anchored various newscasts for WNBC/Channel 4. 

There’s no word of who will replace Watkins on weekends.

Update: WPIX news director Bill Carey says Watkins “remains employed by WPIX.”

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