WFSB-TV In Rocky Hill Announces Layoffs

ROCKY HILL, CT — Local television station WFSB-TV has made cuts that its parent company blamed on the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

Among those laid off were morning co-anchor Eric Parker, Assistant News Director Shawana Perry, meteorologist Mike Cameron, nightside Executive Producer Bill Hall, and the entire art department, according to The Laurel.

The move comes two weeks after longtime anchor Dennis House announced he was leaving the station after more than 20 years on air.

Cutbacks began earlier this year at WFSB-TV parent company, Meredith Corp. — the nation’s largest magazine publisher and owner of 15 local television stations, as reported in the New York Post.

Meredith released its quarterly and fiscal year results in August, reporting a 22 percent loss in revenue in the fourth quarter of the recently completed fiscal year, attributed, leaders said, to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meredith President-CEO Tom Harty said: "While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to materially impact our business, we saw continued strong consumer engagement along with improvement in advertising-revenue performance during the course of the fourth quarter, particularly for our digital and broadcast properties. Additionally, we continue to take proactive action to maximize free cash flow, ensure ample liquidity, and enhance our financial flexibility."

The change came as a result of advertising cancellations and delays due to COVID-19 and magazine portfolio adjustments, amounting to a decline of $176 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter from continuing operations were $6 million. The year prior saw a loss of $4 million.