KOFY TV20, the reinvented SF independent known for its nostalgia shows and dog intros, ("Sparky" from Walnut Creek,) has cut 20% of its technical work force, including half with over 20 years of service. Needless to say, the move has been met with a severe case of rottenness morale among the rank and file.
The independent, owned by Granite Broadcasting, even plans to televise one of its more signature programs, "Dance Party", without the use of technical support.
Employees at the station are baffled.
"The operation is profitable and sales good even in times when the network owned giants were in the toilet financially," said a longtime staffer.
"All colleagues at other stations are amazed that such a radical layoff came to what is a very efficient and leanly staffed station to begin with."
KOFY GM, Craig Coane, did not return a phone call seeking comment. Maybe he was out feeding the dogs.
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I could be easily mistaken because I haven't watched KOFY in eons, but I don't think they air a present-day Dance Party - isn't it just reruns of the shows from the '80s? Why would tech support be needed for that above and beyond pulling a tape from the archives and pressing play on the VTR?
ReplyDeleteKOFY has been advertising a newly minted Dance Party program for a while now. There are a number of other in-house productions affected by these cuts - not to mention human beings.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a Granite Broadcasting trend to give their employees a little extra dose of cheer for the holidays too:
ReplyDeletehttp://stilltalkintv.com/2010/12/ch-7-makes-staff-trims-before-christmas/
This was the story at their station in Buffalo NY too.
Tough choices in this environment with no clear visibility on just how 2011 will fare, especially following such a robust 3Q and 4Q 2010. I'm not too optimistic. One thing is certain, Craig Coane is a great operator, knows what he's doing and cannot be happy about having to make these difficult choices.
ReplyDeleteYep. Tough putt...
ReplyDelete