News media is rapidly changing due to the rise of social media and a decline in ratings. A major news network made the shocking decision to fire 3 anchors and cancel broadcasts amid an unexpected shake-up. Keep reading for all the details.
Major News Network Fires 3 Anchors In Shocking Shake-Up
The rise of the internet eventually led to fewer newspapers. People could get the news instantly with the click of a computer mouse. Social media is changing news media in a similar way. Many networks are turning to social media with short clips of the highlights instead of an hour-long broadcast.
The behind-the-scenes shake-up at CBS led to several longtime anchors quitting or getting the boot. Now, another news channel has fired three of its most popular anchors and canceled all programming.
WKRC-TV out of Cincinnati, Ohio, fired three anchors in a shocking purge. Good Morning Cincinnati anchor Aleah Hordges was let go, along with sports reporter Richard Skinner. Veteran TV anchor Doug Lillibridge, who was also an executive producer, was fired after 13 years with the network. He has over four decades of experience in media.
WKRC-TV also gutted its weekend morning news programs. Good Morning Cincinnati Saturday and Good Morning Tristate Sunday were both canceled. However, the network plans to expand its weekday coverage starting in September.
“To support this expansion and position the station for long-term sustainability, we are making operational changes, including the discontinuation of our weekend morning newscast effective this month and the elimination of a small number of positions,” the network explained in a statement.
Fired Anchor Speaks Out
Sports reporter Richard Skinner joined WKRC-TV in 2014 and already planned to retire this summer. “I got called Wednesday, and we decided to move that up (a month),” he said. However, veteran anchor Doug Lillibridge was blindsided.
He took to Facebook to share a message with viewers. “I’ve been in the news business for 2 days short of 46 1/2 years. That chapter may be closed. Maybe not. Gazing into the future. If you have an idea for my next chapter, I’m all ears,” he wrote.
The comments were full of suggestions as well as utter disbelief at his unexpected departure.
- “All That Jazz podcast”
- “They’re going to quickly realize how much they needed you, and you’re going to crush whatever comes next.”
- “If nothing else, start with charity work. It will soothe your soul while you weigh your options.”
- “You got screwed pal. We all know that.”
- “I can’t imagine a world where Doug Lillibridge isn’t producing news.”
- “I am truly shocked! I just can’t believe this happened to you of all people! I’m so sorry you find yourself in this mess”
The three shocking firings only affect the Cincinnati, Ohio, region, but your local news could be the next to make major cuts. Stay tuned for more details.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
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