Heavy Layoffs at Raycom Stations
WOIO anchor Jeff Eliasoph, WMC anchor Donna Davis among dozens of cuts at stations in Cleveland, Memphis and other markets.
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/10/2008 5:00:00 AM
Recession 2008: Continuing Coverage of the Economic Impact on The Media Business
Raycom is the latest broadcaster to significantly reduce staff. Dozens of employees were dismissed yesterday.
According to published reports, 13 staffers at the WOIO/WUAB Cleveland duopoly, 15 at WMC Memphis, 15 at WALB Albany, Ga., seven at WIS Columbia, S.C., and three at WBTV Charlotte, N.C., were laid off. Several on-air personalities were among the casualties, including morning anchor Jeff Eliasoph in Cleveland and Donna Davis in Memphis.
Raycom did not return a call for comment at press time.
General managers at the affected stations pinned the blame on the economy and depressed advertising landscape.
"The broadcasting industry and advertising-based media businesses in general...are not immune to the many economic difficulties we're facing right now,” WMC general manager Lee Meredith told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "For the station to properly position ourselves for the business challenges ahead of us, we have taken the difficult step of making a work force reduction."
