Sinclair laying off employees, forbids managers from talking

[greendragon 0]

Sinclair gave the ax to 20 employees at KOMO in Seattle last week and followed up by firing another 10 people at KATU on Monday. These are the former Fisher stations. Sinclair's transaction finalized in August. The corporate office didn't even wait a quarter to cut KOMO and KATU deeply. Make no mistake: the quality of the product will suffer. These cuts will harm the public interest in markets where Sinclair just began operating. Sinclair also forbid local managers from talking to employees about the cuts. No emails, no meetings, no questions answered about why Sinclair was firing 10% of staff at both stations. It also trolled the internet looking for employees posting messages or commenting on websites about the layoffs. Sinclair wanted to gut its new stations secretly. It is trying to protect its reputation. It has many transactions pending, including Allbritton and WJLA in Washington. Sinclair is worried its massive firings that hurt the local news product and do not serve the public interest in its new markets will interfere with the approval process, interfere with government regulators or spook investors or employees at pending Sinclair stations. Sinclair's stock value comes largely from its FCC broadcast licenses, yet it props up that same stock by firing employees and cutting quality of news when it enters a market. This deeply and severely harms the public interest. Where is the FCC?

[sanewsguy 511]

1. What's your source? and 2. Where were the employees cut? I bet none were on-air, probably mostly redundant positions from Fisher Broadcasting that were no longer needed.

 

(I noticed this was your first post with the account being created 10 minutes before your post...)

[mre29 1537]

Wow. Nice to see Sinclair has its own NSA-like department.

 

"The beatings will continue until morale improves."

[AaronQ 282]

1. What's your source? and 2. Where were the employees cut? I bet none were on-air, probably mostly redundant positions from Fisher Broadcasting that were no longer needed.

 

(I noticed this was your first post with the account being created 10 minutes before your post...)

Found it.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2013/10/steve_duin_new_owners_swing_th.html

[PTVNews 194]

I don't understand how they just lay off that many people at once when a station has been using them to operate? Too bad. Hopefully it won't be any more.

 

Interesting side fact....apparently KATU hired a new weekend weather guy today. Idk why. Unless it's to replace someone who left or was laid of, they didn't need another one.

 

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/on-the-move-102113_b107111

[TexasTVNews 1377]

If Sinclair fires the KOMO & KATU anchors, than be prepared for protest letters and boycotts.

[GoldenShine9 1513]

Maybe expect more to voluntarily leave as well in protest?

 

Those at stations that are being acquired should definitely be worried.

[Breaking News 830]

Sinclair guts tv stations like a fish. I've been told many times by former employees that they cut budgets to bare bones. The whole process for them is to save on $$$. Once WJLA and others Allbritton stations get into their clutches be prepared for the slaying. Many of those high price anchors in Seattle, Portland and D.C. should be prepared... This is the Sinclair model young and cheap.

[DirtyHarry 727]

The economy sucks. 80 million people were out of work when Barry took office, today that number is almost 91 million despite the bogus inflation and unemployment rates. When the economy sucks, people don't buy things. When people don't buy things, companies don't make money and either close or have to cut back advertising.

 

It's just the way it is.

[sanewsguy 511]

 

Sinclair guts tv stations like a fish. I've been told many times by former employees that they cut budgets to bare bones. The whole process for them is to save on $$$. Once WJLA and others Allbritton stations get into their clutches be prepared for the slaying. Many of those high price anchors in Seattle, Portland and D.C. should be prepared... This is the Sinclair model young and cheap.

 

You're making it sound like its a bad thing to save money...

[Mrtraveler01 738]

 

The economy sucks. 80 million people were out of work when Barry took office, today that number is almost 91 million despite the bogus inflation and unemployment rates. When the economy sucks, people don't buy things. When people don't buy things, companies don't make money and either close or have to cut back advertising.

 

It's just the way it is.

 

What does Obama have anything to do with something that has been standard operating procedure for Sinclair ever since they started?

 

The bottom-lines will be even tighter now since Sinclair keeps buying stations left and right resulting in their legacy stations and newly acquired stations in recieving smaller and smaller investment in their stations.

 

Unless it's those crappy town hall meetings by that sleezy Mark "John Kerry is a Communist" Hyman. It's hard to take a debate seriously when you know the moderator of it has already made up his mind on what he thinks.

 

Looking forward to KOMO and KATU having these just to see how terrible they'll be.

[sanewsguy 511]

Here's FTV Live's Article on this and then I'll point out the inaccuracies

 

Sinclair Handing Out Pink Slips

October 22, 2013/ Scott Jones

 

 

 

 

Sinclair is swinging the axe. So far KATU in Portland and KOMO in Seattle have had almost 30 jobs eliminated.

 

 

 

 

Sources say nine employees were sacked at KATU and another 18 at KOMO.

Editors, Producers, Live Truck Operators and Web Staff are some of the positions that got whacked.

Management at either station is staying mum as staffers lose their jobs.

Sinclair has spent the past year on a buying spree snatching up TV stations across the country.

If you're station is one of those being bought up by Sinclair, this is what you have to look forward to.

 

Fisher had rather large staffs at their stations and could probably benefit from the cuts. And you won't have to look forward to layoffs at Barrington and Titan stations, as they operated rather cheaply, maybe even cheaper than Sinclair.

 

 

 

What does Obama have anything to do with something that has been standard operating procedure for Sinclair ever since they started?

 

Trying not to get into politics, but the economy has been in the tanker since he took over, and ad revenue has been down. So they have to cut to make the bottom line meet.

 

It hasn't been standard operating procedure since they started, they're investing far more now than they were when they were called "Chesapeake".

[Mrtraveler01 738]

 

Here's FTV Live's Article on this and then I'll point out the inaccuracies Sinclair Handing Out Pink Slips October 22, 2013

/ Scott Jones

 

 

 

 

Sinclair is swinging the axe. So far KATU in Portland and KOMO in Seattle have had almost 30 jobs eliminated.

 

 

 

 

Sources say nine employees were sacked at KATU and another 18 at KOMO.

Editors, Producers, Live Truck Operators and Web Staff are some of the positions that got whacked.

Management at either station is staying mum as staffers lose their jobs.

Sinclair has spent the past year on a buying spree snatching up TV stations across the country.

If you're station is one of those being bought up by Sinclair, this is what you have to look forward to.

 

Fisher had rather large staffs at their stations and could probably benefit from the cuts. And you won't have to look forward to layoffs at Barrington and Titan stations, as they operated rather cheaply, maybe even cheaper than Sinclair.

 

 

Trying not to get into politics, but the economy has been in the tanker since he took over, and ad revenue has been down. So they have to cut to make the bottom line meet.

 

 

 

I can agree that there was probably some fat that needed to be cut by Fishers, but that was a move Sinclair was going to make regardless of the economy. (I'm trying to stay out of the political aspect of this as well)

 

But if I may play Devlis Advocate for a sec, if ad revenue is down and Sinclair has to make deep cuts to make their current bottom line, then why invest in acquiring more stations if they can't handle the ones they already have now?

 

I'm sorry, I just don't buy the whole "blame Obama's handling of the economy for KOMO/KATU's cuts" when running stations on the cheap has been a legacy of Sinclair's since they started and the cuts at KOMO and KATU are just a sign that Sinclair is bringing them to their standard (so to speak).

[GoldenShine9 1513]

Also, if the TV economy is so bad, why are companies spending billions to make acquisitions? (Not going to single out Sinclair here, since Gannett and Tribune have spent more in raw numbers as they acquired bigger companies)

[Thundershock MN 169]

This has nothing to do with the economy. These layoffs are taking place because one company is taking over another. Period. They are eliminatating duplicate positions and "trimming the fat". This happens all the time in M&A's. Good economy, bad economy or somewhere in between. It sucks but it goes with the territory.

 

If we were talking about the Gannett furloughs (and the like) 2-3 years ago then yes those were a direct result of the status of the economy.

 

Why this entered the conversation I haven't the foggiest idea. This whole thread is kinda ridiculous anyway.

[Samantha 2896]

 

This has nothing to do with the economy. These layoffs are taking place because one company is taking over another. Period. They are eliminatating duplicate positions and "trimming the fat". This happens all the time in M&A's. Good economy, bad economy or somewhere in between. It sucks but it goes with the territory.

 

If we were talking about the Gannett furloughs (and the like) 2-3 years ago then yes those were a direct result of the status of the economy.

 

Why this entered the conversation I haven't the foggiest idea. This whole thread is kinda ridiculous anyway.

 

Exactly.

 

Things like the WSYR downsizing and these firings are primarily to remove the redundancies of M&A. Not only are secretaries and executive positions at Fisher not needed or centralcasting positions for Newport Central New York not needed, they also go some extent toward realizing the long-term cash flow potential and savings of acquisitions.

 

Another factor was that KOMO was Fisher's baby. As I said before: "KOMO was Fisher's crown jewel and an operation that might have been bloated. A lot of the cleaning could also be of redundant Fisher Broadcasting corporate positions."

[greendragon 0]

Many of the 20 layoffs at KOMO and 10 layoffs at KATU were not duplications. Sinclair is eliminating positions that KOMO and KATU used to enhance their products and provide high quality newscasts for the public. For instance, Sinclair whacked satellite truck operators at both stations. Sinclair cleared out an entire job category. This means the public will end up seeing fewer live reports, especially from locations where satellites were required. This elimination also means crews will have less time to gather news if they're also operating live trucks or if they're returning to the station earlier in the day. Of course it's true many newsroom operate like this already. However, KOMO and KATU invested in extra resources to serve the public interest by searching for opportunities to deliver above and beyond the wallpaper low-quality news products that so many stations churn out. Sinclair also cut producers and web staff at both stations. These are people who created and managed content. These cuts had nothing to do with the economy. The profit margins at both stations were well into the 30-percent range. These cuts are about Sinclair stripping newsrooms of positions that improve quality, dependability and coverage resources for the community in an effort to stretch employees as far as possible to produce the lowest quality product the public and advertisers will accept as "fine" or "good enough." We all expect Sinclair to lay people off who duplicate existing functions within the group, such as accounting or traffic or human resources personnel. Most of these cuts were not duplications. They were Sinclair executives deciding big-market stations should operate more like small-market stations.

[DirtyHarry 727]

"This means the public will end up seeing fewer live reports, especially from locations where satellites were required."

Sinclair likes the cellular ENG packs and from what I've seen, they are more than adequate. Nothing wrong with innovation and cutting costs.

 

That 30% profit margin is probably too low. Sinclair can probably squeeze more profit out of that station without the viewer noticing.

[DirtyHarry 727]

"They were Sinclair executives deciding big-market stations should operate more like small-market stations."

I don't know. Is Seattle really THAT much larger than Baltimore, Pittsburgh or Tampa? And out east the markets cover less geography. Just a guess, but Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton probably cover similar amount of territory.

 

Hey, there's something to be said for owners with big budgets. But Sinclair is Macy's .... the survivor. And Fisher? Its the Bon Marche. That's life.

[DirtyHarry 727]

I don't have the ability to edit on the phone. For all intents and purposes, Cincinnati-Dayton IS probably similar in size and geography to Seattle ... Or Columbus-Dayton if you want to go with a legacy market. Not a perfect analogy, but they have high-class market leaders in WHIO and WBNS in both places so I think they have a good sense of how to maintain leadership and where they can cut corners. Sorry if you get caught up in it, but that's life.

 

But if it makes you feel better, Sinclair has a number of long time 20 year employees here. So when they get the place running like they want, they are loyal to their people.

[sanewsguy 511]

 

Many of the 20 layoffs at KOMO and 10 layoffs at KATU were not duplications. Sinclair is eliminating positions that KOMO and KATU used to enhance their products and provide high quality newscasts for the public. For instance, Sinclair whacked satellite truck operators at both stations. Sinclair cleared out an entire job category. This means the public will end up seeing fewer live reports, especially from locations where satellites were required. This elimination also means crews will have less time to gather news if they're also operating live trucks or if they're returning to the station earlier in the day. Of course it's true many newsroom operate like this already. However, KOMO and KATU invested in extra resources to serve the public interest by searching for opportunities to deliver above and beyond the wallpaper low-quality news products that so many stations churn out. Sinclair also cut producers and web staff at both stations. These are people who created and managed content. These cuts had nothing to do with the economy. The profit margins at both stations were well into the 30-percent range. These cuts are about Sinclair stripping newsrooms of positions that improve quality, dependability and coverage resources for the community in an effort to stretch employees as far as possible to produce the lowest quality product the public and advertisers will accept as "fine" or "good enough." We all expect Sinclair to lay people off who duplicate existing functions within the group, such as accounting or traffic or human resources personnel. Most of these cuts were not duplications. They were Sinclair executives deciding big-market stations should operate more like small-market stations.

 

This is hogwash. As said before, the Fisher stations were more than bloated. So what if there is no SNG operator or webmaster? You don't need one, and many stations make do without one. As H-B Land said above, Sinclair uses the cellular ENG packs (more specifically the "LiveU" brand). Quality (particularly sound) isn't the best but its better than not being able to go live at all. Crews will still have time to do packages, it will just mean less live shots, which is fine with me, as live shots are pointless anyway. This is probably an employee of KOMO or KATU, and if they're used to how Fisher treated them, they shouldn't have stayed with Sinclair. Sinclair is reality and I'm sorry to say this, but Fisher was a small group who could afford the luxuries. Sinclair can, but they need to make a profit. That's the #1 goal of the business and why they exist. You can't excuse that. TV stations have been facing hard times for awhile and are looking to make cuts where they can. Just look at ABC recently. This is the reality of the business. Sorry. I don't necessarily consider Seattle and Portland, OR "big-market". Mid-market works better for them. KOMO will still put out a great product every day. Their employees will get through this and in the end the newsroom will band together and look out for each other and make sure that they put out a great product with the reduced staff. It can be done. WJLA will probably have layoffs too and they can stand to have them, as they have way too many people for a DC station.

 

 

"This means the public will end up seeing fewer live reports, especially from locations where satellites were required."

 

Sinclair likes the cellular ENG packs and from what I've seen, they are more than adequate. Nothing wrong with innovation and cutting costs.

 

That 30% profit margin is probably too low. Sinclair can probably squeeze more profit out of that station without the viewer noticing.

 

Exactly. And like I said, most live shots are pointless, with many stations going live for the sake of being live, to the point where many go live from their roof or their parking lot to say they're live. It's ridiculous.

 

 

 

"They were Sinclair executives deciding big-market stations should operate more like small-market stations."

 

I don't know. Is Seattle really THAT much larger than Baltimore, Pittsburgh or Tampa? And out east the markets cover less geography. Just a guess, but Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton probably cover similar amount of territory.

 

Hey, there's something to be said for owners with big budgets. But Sinclair is Macy's .... the survivor. And Fisher? Its the Bon Marche. That's life.

 

I agree with your first point. But please please please stop comparing Sinclair to department stores, especially many I've never even heard of because I'm not from Columbus or Cincinnati or wherever...

 

 

I don't have the ability to edit on the phone. For all intents and purposes, Cincinnati-Dayton IS probably similar in size and geography to Seattle ... Or Columbus-Dayton if you want to go with a legacy market. Not a perfect analogy, but they have high-class market leaders in WHIO and WBNS in both places so I think they have a good sense of how to maintain leadership and where they can cut corners. Sorry if you get caught up in it, but that's life.

 

But if it makes you feel better, Sinclair has a number of long time 20 year employees here. So when they get the place running like they want, they are loyal to their people.

 

Agreed, especially here in S.A. at KABB, many have been with the news department since it started and are more than happy working for Sinclair and making significantly less than those at other stations but still knowing they can put out a kick-ass product every day. There are ton of people employed by Sinclair and they treat their employees well.

 

I've also seen WSYX's newscasts, their product is really good and if it weren't for their aesthetics (gfx music etc), I wouldn't even know they were a Sinclair station. I also noticed they picked up Chris Vanocur (a Nexstar reject) who should be an asset for them. With pickups like that, WSYX deserves to be #2 (WBNS is still #1, that won't change).

[DirtyHarry 727]

One more PS (again sorry but I'm on the phone), an old news director at WTHR was once quoted as saying he has a bigger budget than he did at his previous gig in in Seattle. WBNS has a similar budget and i'm guessing WHIO isn't cheap either. Sinclair had to compete against them for 20+ years. In other words, even though Sinclair typically hasn't run those kinds of stations, they have competed against them and they know what those stations do and what is going to have to be done to maintain market leadership.

 

David Smith isn't so stupid that he's going to buy a good station and run it into the ground. They know when to be cheap and I think they know when not to. They will do the prudent thing, I guarantee it because THEIR OWN money is on the line.

[DirtyHarry 727]

"I agree with your first point. But please please please stop comparing Sinclair to department stores, especially many I've never even heard of because I'm not from Columbus or Cincinnati or wherever..."

LOL ... Bon Marche was the Seattle store that now has a Macy's sign in front!

[sanewsguy 511]

 

One more PS (again sorry but I'm on the phone), an old news director at WTHR was once quoted as saying he has a bigger budget than he did at his previous gig in in Seattle. WBNS has a similar budget and i'm guessing WHIO isn't cheap either. Sinclair had to compete against them for 20+ years. In other words, even though Sinclair typically hasn't run those kinds of stations, they have competed against them and they know what those stations do and what is going to have to be done to maintain market leadership.

 

Dispatch only has to pay for two stations, and even WHIO has made cuts, but they have invested more than WKEF/Sinclair.

 

 

 

LOL ... Bon Marche was the Seattle store that now has a Macy's sign in front!

 

sorry, I don't know much about department stores.

[DirtyHarry 727]

"Dispatch only has to pay for two stations, and even WHIO has made cuts, but they have invested more than WKEF/Sinclair."

Absolutely. But my point is that I'm sure there have been many discussions about getting radars, choppers, meteorologists to better compete. They haven't done it but they know what WBNS and WHIO do.

 

On the other hand, WKRC just added a fifth meteorologist from WHIO. That's what I mean. They will spend where appropriate, although five meteorologists is a bit much. Doing weather for smaller stations in the region maybe? (WKEF has made some good hires recently as well.)