Layoff Watch: Job, Programming Cuts At TV Stations In Chicago, Orlando

Bad news for broadcast journalists today: two unrelated stations cut a number of jobs yesterday and reduced their amount of news by trimming programs’ length.

At CBS-owned WBBM-Ch. 2, in Chicago, the station didn’t confirm the number of people let go, but said it was fewer than 18. General assignment reporter Joanie Lum, entertainment reporter and film critic Bill Zwecker, sportscaster Howard Sudberry and assistant news director Todd Woolman were among those confirmed to have lost their jobs.

The station is discontinuing its weekend morning newscasts and turning its three weeknight newscasts into solo anchor jobs, where previously two anchors shared the duties.

Meanwhile, in Orlando, CBS affiliate WKMG-Ch.6 announced it would drop it’s 4, 5, and 5:30 p.m. newscasts, replacing the 5 p.m. slot with Dr. Phil. The evening newscast shifts to one hour at 6 p.m. Somewhere between 15 and 20 people were laid off as a result of the shuffling.

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