Two years after a historic combination of resources, the parent organization of WBEZ-FM, the NPR Member station serving Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper is moving forward with a reduction-in-force initiative across both its daily print and digital operation and its audio content creation and distribution service.
According to the Sun-Times, some 15% of 62 unionized employees at WBEZ — or roughly nine individuals — comes as fundraising support has declined, along with philanthropic support. Its a refrain heard across the country at other NPR-fueled spoken word organizations, which in recent years have taken a liberal, progressive view toward news reporting and analysis across many of its signature shows. In Los Angeles, layoffs at both Santa Monica College’s tastemaker KCRW and at the main spoken word NPR Member, KPCC “LAist,” have been seen in recent months.
Now, the Sun-Times itself is questioning the financial viability of its merger with WBEZ, which recently relocated to a new Navy Pier studio that cost some $6.4 million to create. A “double-digit pay increase” for Chicago Public Media’s top executive was also noted by the news organization in its coverage on Wednesday.
PODCAST MORASS
The biggest segment of Chicago Public Media to be impacted by the reduction-in-force initiative are linked to its audio-on-demand division.
WBEZ’s podcasting unit will see such “non-newsroom titles” as Nerdette, Making and When Magic Happens cease production. Podcasts associated with the midday WBEZ program Reset and The Rundown will remain in production, as will Curious City, as a weekly feature, the company said.
Meanwhile, an entire broadcast operation that only recently gained a full-time over-the-air home is being shut down.
W216CL at 91.1 MHz, with a transmitter atop the John Hancock Center punctuating the Chicago skyline, will no longer be the home of 24/7 R&B, hip-hop and jazz fusion-fueled “Vocalo,” fed by the HD2 signal of WBEZ.
All programming associated with Vocalo will be discontinued “by May 1.”
This impacts five unionized staff members; Chicago Public Media told the Sun-Times that two Vocalo staffers will shift to a newly created arts and culture unit focused on local events and music.
The Sun-Times itself was expected to see the loss of four positions.
“These are painful decisions that affect our valued colleagues,” CPM CEO Matt Moog said. “We are working diligently to minimize the negative impact on each individual and provide them with financial and transitional support. We are so grateful for their many contributions over the years.”
