Local meteorologists could be laid off in new initiative with The Weather Channel: NPR

Meteorologists at 27 local television news stations are facing job uncertainty after Allen Media Group announced a new local weather initiative with The Weather Channel.

The group, which owns television stations in 21 markets across the country, announced Saturday that it is rolling out a new weather coverage format that will have “additional visual storytelling capabilities” on its channels in 2025.

The move comes as the broadcast industry, particularly television, seeks new ways to engage audiences as it faces declining viewership amid cord cutting and the rise of streaming platforms.

The plan involves meteorologists from The Weather Channel in Atlanta producing content for local stations across the country. The team for the new initiative will be led by Carl Parker, a meteorologist at The Weather Channel, and will include meteorologists from local television stations relocating to Atlanta, the media group said in a statement.

Severe weather will remain a priority, the group said, and the new format will “enhance reporting capabilities, particularly in high-stakes weather situations.” This will also ensure “the most accurate, timely and engaging forecasts for communities across the country,” according to the release.

The company has not publicly said how the change would affect meteorologists at local TV stations.

Meteorologists at some stations say they expect to be affected by the decision. Some stations are also facing ongoing layoffs announced in early 2024.

“By now, most of you have probably heard about Allen Media letting local meteorologists go, and well, I’m one of those who will be affected by that,” said Amber Kulick, a meteorologist at WAAY- TV in Huntsville, Alabama, a station owned by the media group, wrote in a social media post. “For now, I’m still at the station but looking for my next career opportunity.”

Josh Franson, a meteorologist at KWWL-TV in Iowa, said he was among those facing layoffs at his station.

“Hey guys, if you haven’t heard the latest news regarding the layoffs, I wanted to share that our station is one of those that was affected,” Franson wrote in a message on X. “To my viewers and those of you who have been impacted by Frannys Report since day one, thank you.”

Zach Stanford, former state coordinator for crisis and disaster information for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, said local meteorologists are “the obvious choice for local weather information that saves lives.” and play a critical role in sharing other information such as wildfire perimeters and evacuations.

“Local meteorologists on TV are a trustworthy face, not only because they know their science, but also because they are members of that community,” Stanford told NPR. “The community component must be considered to ensure that this essential service is not lost.”

Allen Media Group took ownership of The Weather Channel in 2018.