Yesterday, we reported that Cincinnati ABC affiliate WCPO had seen three anchors say goodbye this week, so we asked station general manager Jeff Brogan what was going on and he responded.
In an email, Brogan explained that the departures were part contract-related and part restructuring.
Kristen Swilley, who announced her departure on Wednesday, is leaving because her contract is up “and she decided not to renew.” Brogan also said the station is “actively recruiting” to replace her.
But when it comes to Jasmine Styles and Evan Millward, who said goodbye yesterday, Brogan said their departures are part of a plan to “build up the largest reporting staff of any newsroom in Cincinnati.”
Brogan said “extensive research” done by parent company E.W. Scripps’ over the past six years in how viewers consume news, has led to a change in how his newsroom will be structured.
“We feel it is imperative we must change, to keep up with their needs,” said Brogan. “It will be better for the audience and the business.”
Brogan said that over the next two months, the station plans to hire five more reporters. That means it must eliminate some positions.
“The two anchor positions (Jasmine Styles and Evan Millward) are among those,” said Brogan. “These are tough decisions that we do not take lightly and are working through how our staffing is aligned moving forward.”
He also said the station is implementing technology to allow the news team to spend more time working on stories.