January 27, 2025

Allen Media Group To Keep Local Meteorologists After Layoff Plans Sparked Backlash

Byron Allen

Allen Media Group (AMG) has backpedaled on its decision to end weather forecasting operations across its local television stations, following widespread outrage from viewers.

AMG reverses its layoff plans

Originally, AMG planned to replace its weather forecasting operations with streamlined operations to reduce costs. The cuts could have led to the termination of nearly 100 local forecasters across 36 outlets. However, after announcing the move, it faced serious backslash from the people served by AMG stations.

“While not all staff and meteorologists are safe, a majority will remain in their roles. Earlier today, employees were informed of their termination dates, but this afternoon they were told, ‘Allen will no longer hub the weather from Atlanta and your job is still there,’” wrote Emily Pike of WMTW on Facebook, as per Newscast Studio.

The hub is still planned to go ahead (although it will be smaller), so it is unclear how this will affect employees who have already been terminated under the plan. The proposal is currently a “work in progress” that will be fully completed over the year.

Why was AMG laying off its local meteorologists?

The company started a series of cuts in May 2024 due to what the company said were “strategic changes to better position the company for growth.” After this, it laid off its key staffers in October, which the company said was “a continuation of the reduction in workforce.” It also axed the Weather Channel’s Spanish-language version, citing “extensive cost-cutting measures.”

Allen Media said it would offer local stations new technologies, innovative forecasting tools, additional graphic capabilities, and the power to cover weather stories 24/7, per a press release. The company highlighted that the weather coverage will continue to be a “top priority” for local stations. It explained that the new changes “will dramatically improve reporting capabilities, especially in high-stakes weather situations.”

The importance of community

WTVA in Tupelo, Mississippi, and WAAY in Huntsville, Alabama, are part of the TV stations that will keep their local meteorology teams as both news stations shared the news on the reversal with WTVA stating that the changes were “mostly reversed.”

Both stations spoke about the importance of community trust in their local meteorologists. These people have special knowledge of regional weather patterns and geography, key factors in accurately forecasting the weather during severe events.


Image: Jason Mendez

Habiba Katsha

Habiba Katsha is a journalist and writer who specializes in writing about race, gender, and the internet. She is currently a tech reporter at POCIT.