I don’t know much about the LA TV market, but I know CBS is making similar cuts in all of their O&O’s.
Out here in Minneapolis, a very popular weatherman of 20-years was let go in a cost-cutting move, among others (they are also trying to offer buyouts to union photogs and techs).
I’m sure the network revenues were down thanks to the writers strike (ad revenues had to be down for reruns)...lower numbers in general for local news, it’s lots of things.
And it will more than likely continue in other media outlets.
The smart ones will vanilla-ize their presenters and focus on content that can be broadcast on TV, radio and the Internet. Three shots for the price of one, with a revenue stream for each.
Hopefully the day will come when you hear a siren in the background and you go to a local site to get the news of what's happening. I see guys living in their Mother's basement with a police scanner, weather service and traffic cams giving instant news.
Big Media will provide State, National and International news..again through a guy in his Mother's basement aggregating wire service reports....Oh, that's Drudge!