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Citytv wields the hatchet, cuts newscasts – Metro US

Citytv wields the hatchet, cuts newscasts

Local television is changing in Edmonton and across the country, after Citytv officials delivered sobering news yesterday of layoffs and programs going off-air.

The restructuring plan includes cancellation of the station’s local noon, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Citytv Edmonton will continue to produce Breakfast Television, though the morning show has been cut from four hours to three.

In a statement, Rogers Media Television CEO Leslie Sole called the nation-wide cuts “necessary to align our operations with the economic and regulatory realities of our industry.”

Rogers Media Television spokeswoman Koreen Ott confirmed six per cent of the company’s 1,000 employees were dismissed, though didn’t say how many were from Edmonton.

“It’s been a difficult day for everyone involved,” Ott said.

Though Rogers-owned OMNI Television employees were not included in the six per cent, OMNI Edmonton ENG photographer Brian Haydey confirmed he was dismissed yesterday.

Haydey, who has worked for OMNI Edmonton since its launch in 2008, said goodbyes were tearful at the station.

“Most didn’t expect this and everyone is sad,” he said. “Good people lost their jobs today.”