Notes From Dumb Ass Sean McLaughlin Posted on December 21, 2023 at 05:56:44 PM by 4 Alarm Dumpster Fire From Scripps
Scripps Chief Operating Officer Lisa Knutson sent an email to the staff about all that has happened in 2023 and what stations can expect in 2024, with the company's "news initiative."
We wanted to take a closer look at a portion of what she said.
"The local news team, led by Sean McLaughlin, have launched the news initiative in 11 markets so far and are underway in more, work that will continue through 2024. Early results from research studies have found broad acceptance of the neighborhood news brand differentiator, with it showing value and real differentiation. All markets that have launched are maintaining ratings, with growth in several, including KATC in Lafayette, moving from number two to number one in some newscasts."
Let's break down what the Scripps suit had to say:
"Early results from research studies." What research? Who did the research? What was the sample size? What determined acceptance?
"Showing value and real differentiation." What the hell does that mean, and how was that determined?
What does she mean by "maintaining ratings"? Please show your work. Also, was the goal just to maintain ratings or get better? I thought the goal of any TV station is to be the No. 1 station in the market.
While the Scripps suits can continue to tell the staff how great this is all going, the staff isn't buying it. FTVLive has received emails and talked to countless Scripps employees; we have yet to find one that thinks the Scripps "news initiative" is anything close to a success.
Sources tell FTVLive that Scripps has finished with their layoffs for 2023, but they are expected to be cutting more people in 2024.