Broadcast media company Tegna continues to restructure its operations amid ongoing industry pressures, and it has informed several local news staff members at several of its local television stations that their positions are being eliminated at the start of 2026. Reports indicate that multiple employees in news departments have received notifications of position eliminations, affecting affiliates carrying major networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
The reductions appear to be part of a broader effort to streamline operations, centralize certain functions, and adapt to shifting revenue patterns in local broadcasting. Stations owned by Tegna have faced cumulative challenges, including declining traditional advertising income, competition from digital platforms, and the evolving demands of audience consumption habits. These factors have prompted the company to pursue cost-saving measures across its portfolio of approximately 64 stations in more than 50 markets.
One notable example involves KARE 11, the NBC affiliate serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The station’s sports director has been informed that his position will be eliminated effective at the start of 2026. Impacted individuals are expected to continue performing their on-air duties through the remainder of 2025.
The scope of these personnel adjustments remains difficult to determine for now. Because impacted staff members will remain active until the end of the current year, details about the total number of positions eliminated, along with the full list of affected stations, may not be shared until early 2026.
The local television sector as a whole has experienced ongoing contraction, with staff in newsrooms declining in recent years according to industry reports. Factors such as reduced advertising revenue in non-election cycles and the migration of viewers to streaming services have intensified the need for efficiency. Tegna’s actions fit within this larger trend, where broadcasters seek to maintain community-focused news coverage while navigating economic realities.
Cord Cutters News reached out to Tegna for comment on the reported changes but did not receive a response by the time of this publication.
As the industry continues to evolve, the full impact of these reductions will likely become clearer in the coming months. Viewers in Tegna-served areas may notice gradual shifts in programming and on-air personnel as the company implements its strategic adjustments. The situation underscores the persistent challenges facing local media in an era of rapid technological and economic change.
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