Cuts at Channel 4? Maxwell Out

[x13thfloorrand]

Channel 4 enjoys a nice relationship with some Citadel radio stations with news segments (Don Postles on Shredd/Ragan). Even w/the Time Warner thing, they got back most of their lost viewers.

It's surprising that even the top stations have to 'restructure' as the Tough Economy strikes local TV... Ellen Maxwell was let go. There are also reports of Lisa Scott being let go (WIVB Wake Up)

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/521913.html?imw=Y

[SirRoxalot]

I saw the Buffalo News story, but Maxwell is still on the website. It would be tacky if they axed her on Friday and didn't get her off the website. If she's gone, it's too bad, because I thought that she was one of their better reporters. I wonder if they wanted her to take a pay cut, and she bailed. There's a lot of that going around these days.

The Buffalo News called it a "cutback", but Channel 4 recently hired Joe Arena as a reporter. I don't think that he replaced anyone. If Maxwell is gone, I think that it would leave them with the same number of reporters that they've carried for a while now. I expect that there will be cutbacks when they switch to HD in the studio. Everybody's putting in robotic cameras, so some tech positions are likely to be eliminated. I've also heard that LIN has "hubbed" some of their graphics and other support services. LIN took a hit during their "negotiations" with Time Warner, and the recent changes in the economy indicate that they won't be making up that lost income in the near term.

Lisa Scott hasn't been quite as "snarly" lately, but she doesnt' exactly ooze the type of warmth and wit that you see on most morning shows. I could see them not renewing her when her contract runs out, and deciding to go with somebody younger (and cheaper) like Melissa Holmes or Michele McClintick.

[ThePickleReport]

100% true. Maxwell is indeed gone. I hear she's being paid until late next year though.

[SirRoxalot]

100% true. Maxwell is indeed gone. I hear she's being paid until late next year though.

Then what would be the point? Since she's still on the website, one might surmise that there's more to this story.

[Radknowski]

100% true. Maxwell is indeed gone. I hear she's being paid until late next year though.

Then what would be the point? Since she's still on the website, one might surmise that there's more to this story.

Isn't there ALWAYS more to the story, Rox? Sorry to hear of more job cuts. What a business.

[justmebuk]

Lisa Scott gone also. Now I'll have to watch 7 in the morning.

[SirRoxalot]

Lisa Scott gone also. Now I'll have to watch 7 in the morning.

What? And ignore the union boycott?

[ThePickleReport]

100% true. Maxwell is indeed gone. I hear she's being paid until late next year though.

Then what would be the point? Since she's still on the website, one might surmise that there's more to this story.

A crappy webmaster maybe? She's definitely gone, I have first-hand info. He story in the paper says she was an AFTRA member, if she's being paid is that a severance perhaps?

[midnight_skulker]

100% true. Maxwell is indeed gone. I hear she's being paid until late next year though.

Then what would be the point? Since she's still on the website, one might surmise that there's more to this story.

A crappy webmaster maybe?

Actually, sources indicate their web department took a hit, too... whomever is left is apparently just trying to keep up with the main news page.