KESQ/KPSP in Palm Springs to have changes in Newscast

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2018/12/3/big-changes-in-palm-springs

Changes start today.

There was an all hands on deck meeting called for KESQ/KPSP in Palm Springs on Friday.

The staff was told that the company has decided to stop doing news on KPSP and will simulcast the KESQ newscast to KPSP.

Sources tell FTVLive that some people will be laid off, while others are being reassigned.

“I’m still here but not what I was doing or hired to do,” said one staffer to FTVLive.

 

[davideduardo]

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2018/12/3/big-changes-in-palm-springs

Changes start today.

This is an interesting situation, where two of the channels run by the owner are simulcasting virtually all their news. One is the CBS and the other is the ABC affiliate.On cable, they are Ch 2 and Ch 3 on both Spectrum and Frontier basic tier line-ups.

They also have Fox and CW stations, as well as Telemundo and some of the MyTV-like stuff.

Obviously an economy move in part. But I understand that they have had major challenges in on-air news staffing and in street reporters here with new hires leaving after a few weeks of 115° temperatures in the summer. Huge turnover, with KESQ having lost several anchors and weather guessers in under two months so far this year.

("But it's a dry heat")

This is a no-growth TV market, with flat revenues forecast for the next 5 years and current income about 25% below pre-recession years.