Byron Allen, founder of Allen Media Group, speaks at Allen Media Group’s Upfront Presentation in New York City on April 26, 2023. Chance Yeh/Getty Images/The Weather Channel for Allen Media Group Hide Caption
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Chance Yeh/Getty Images for Allen Media Group/The Weather Channel
Meteorologists at 27 local TV news stations are facing uncertainty about their jobs after Allen Media Group announced a new local weather initiative with The Weather Channel.
The group, which owns television stations in 21 markets nationwide, announced on Saturday that it will roll out a new format of weather forecasts with “additional visual storytelling features” across all stations in 2025.
The move comes as the broadcast industry, particularly television, is looking for new ways to attract viewers in response to declining viewership due to cord-cutting and the rise of streaming platforms.
The plan includes Weather Channel meteorologists in Atlanta producing content for local stations across the country. The media group said in a statement that the team under the new initiative will be led by Weather Channel meteorologist Carl Parker and will include several meteorologists from local TV stations who will relocate to Atlanta.
The group said severe weather will continue to be a priority and the new format will “improve coverage, especially in high-stakes weather conditions.” This will ensure “the most accurate, timely and engaging forecasts for communities across the country,” according to the release.
The company did not disclose how the change would affect weather forecasters on local TV stations.
Meteorologists at some weather stations said they expected to be affected by the decision. Some stations are facing continued layoffs, announced in early 2024.
“Most of you have seen the story about Allen Media firing local meteorologists. Well, I’m one of those affected by this,” he told WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama. says meteorologist Amber Kulick. the media group wrote in a social media post. “For now, I’m still at the station, but I’m looking for my next career opportunity.”
Josh Franson, a meteorologist at KWWL-TV in Iowa, said he is among those facing layoffs at the station.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, in case you haven’t heard the recent news about the layoffs, we’d like to let you know that our station is one of those affected,” Franson said in a post on X. I wrote it. Thank you for using Franny’s Report from day one. ”
Zach Stanford, former Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency state coordinator for crisis and disaster information, said local meteorologists are “the obvious choice for local weather information that can save lives” and that wildfires He said the country plays an important role in sharing border boundaries and other information such as forest fires. Evacuation.
“Local meteorologists who appear on TV are trustworthy, not only because they are knowledgeable about the science, but because they are part of their community,” Stanford University told NPR. “We need to take a hard look at the community components to ensure we don’t lose critical services.”
Allen Media Group acquired ownership of the Weather Channel in 2018.
