Synergy's Downside: TV Stations Announce Cutbacks

By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 7, 2009 4:45PM

A few days ago, we mentioned a new deal struck by four local television stations that would enable them to share raw footage of non-exclusive events, i.e., sending one camera and mic to a press conference rather than four. Many have speculated - including our commenters - that this was simply a move to set the stage for cuts. And they were all right. In the wake of CBS 2's cuts last week comes word that both Fox 32 and NBC 5 are making cuts and alterations to local television schedules. a href="http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/05/wmaqtv-to-eliminate-local-sundaymorning-news-add-the-talk.html">According to the Trib's Phil Rosenthal, NBC 5's vice president and station manager Frank Whittaker said via a statement, "In this tough business climate, we must redirect our energies and resources to areas of highest impact and growth." Meanwhile, a Fox 32 source described the cuts to the Sun-Times Lewis Lazare as a "bloodbath."