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3mo ago

Allen Media Group Replaces Local Meteorologists with Centralized Weather Channel Feed

The decision affects over 50 meteorologists across nearly two dozen stations, prompting emotional farewells and raising concerns about the impact on local weather coverage.

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Byron Allen, chairman and chief executive officer of Allen Media Group is seen during the Bloomberg Screentime event on October 12, 2023.
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Overview

  • Allen Media Group has laid off or reassigned local meteorologists at roughly two dozen TV stations, replacing them with a centralized feed from The Weather Channel's Atlanta hub.
  • The move impacts over 50 meteorologists, with some offered roles at the Atlanta-based hub while others are left seeking new opportunities.
  • Veteran meteorologists like Kevin Orpurt and Patrece Dayton of WTHI-TV in Indiana delivered tearful goodbyes, citing decades of service to their communities.
  • Allen Media Group claims the new format will provide advanced forecasting tools, enhanced graphics, and 24/7 weather coverage, but critics argue it sacrifices local expertise and credibility.
  • The layoffs follow a series of cost-cutting measures by Allen Media Group and The Weather Channel, including prior workforce reductions and the closure of the Weather Channel's Spanish-language version.