ONCE AGAIN...layoffs have hit ABC, as outlined here ...and rumors are making the rounds on the street that the network's future is up in the air. Its TV Division is a massive part of Disney's (parent company) profit center but because of streaming devices and new viewer habits and demographics, Disney might be in a preemptive move.Needless to say, 900 Front occupants are nervous.
I read on Drudge that Disney may put ABC up for sale.
ReplyDeleteThat would not surprise me. You can see the cost cutting in news with their Sunday political show having become little more than kids running around with steadicams. We watched the latest episode of Designated Survivor until we could no longer tolerate the fawning, Millenial friendly, cliche filled dialogue. I told my wife to watch it when I'm not at home. Turn on the Mecum Classic Car auctions, an old movie from the forties...something. Anything.
DeleteIger is a solid guy and his senior lieutenants know how to read a balance sheet. Big changes are coming. Since KGO is corporate owned, I'm wondering who will end up with it. Someone mentioned Sinclair. That would be a **very** big deal. They are not terribly well represented in blue states (for obvious reasons) and for them to end up with ABC? Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I literally would not know what to say. I might have another drink. Others sitting here at the bar might have more than that.
Come on At&t make it happen!
DeleteNo to Amazon buying ABC.
No, but this is certainly a possibility:
Deletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/heres-what-happened-the-last-time-sinclair-bought-a-big-city-station/2017/05/08/92433126-33f7-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html?utm_term=.57ac9086c8b1
I neglected to mention Sinclair already owns WJLA, the ABC DC affiliate. They could either buy the network outright or possibly pick off a few of the crown jewels. Keep in mind that Belo got bought by Gannett which later became Tegna when the parent split broadcast from print. I never thought I'd see the day when WFAA wasn't locally owned.
DeleteABC was always weak. Going all the way back to the fifties, Walt was able to establish that relationship because he needed them and they needed him. NBC had GE for many years (now Comcast) and of course CBS has always been backed by old money. I really think ABC needs Disney as a sugar daddy but I suspect their board has had enough of the bullshit. I've said many times that Disney employees march in line so now that things are tight and the network has become a drag on the stock, Iger will probably dump it. That's my prediction.
KGO could end up being owned by Sinclair. It's possible. I'm sure there would be drastic changes in culture.
Hi. I went to read your article, but apparently I have used up my allotted number of articles for October and they don't like my ad blocker either, which I am keeping. What a sentence! Anyway, could you just tell us what happened when Sinclair bought the station? Thanks.
DeleteThe trick to getting around the WAPO firewall is to open the link in a new incognito window, if you're using Chrome. You're welcome.
DeleteThey could save themselves a bundle by laying off Trixie. But I suspect once again the turds will float to the top.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, they could anoint Lizzie, the Disney Daughter, GM.
DeleteYeah - a corporation in the process of launching its own streaming service to compete with Netflix, would sell it's broadcast division. Sure.
ReplyDeletei'm under the impression is these cuts are part of a regular game the broadcast networks do to keep their talent costs in check.
Name the last person to jump networks and make a positive impact? Diane Sawyer 25 years ago?
Johnny Galecki, Barbara Walters, Kathy Lee Gifford, Megyn Kelly, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Conan, Betty White,
DeleteMegyn Kelly? What are you smoking?
Deletewe're all f--ed for any local coverage of news.
ReplyDeleteWhen is Trixie officially getting let-go?
ReplyDeleteIf the station is making cut-backs, anchors....Cheryl Jennings, Carolyn Tyler, Vic Lee, Eric Thomas jobs will be in big jeopardy. Old anchors with solid salaries, that is how company usually try to save $$$.