*Allen Media Group is reportedly reversing its decision to replace local meteorologists with a Weather Channel feed due to strong criticism from viewers.
The company, owned by Byron Allen, had announced plans to lay off or reassign employees across nearly two dozen TV stations, including affiliates of FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS, spanning regions from California to Alabama, AOL reports.
Allen Media Group has paused its plan to lay off approximately 100 meteorologists and outsource their work to the Atlanta-based Weather Channel. The decision comes after local community backlash.
“After receiving significant feedback across various markets, Allen Media has decided to pause and reconsider the strategy of providing local weather from the Weather Channel in Atlanta,” a sales manager at an Allen Media-owned station told the Desk in a statement.
WAAY meteorologist Amber Kulick, in Huntsville, Ala., took to social media to celebrate the reversal.
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A little update for everyone, Allen media has went back on the decision to let go of all local meteorologists so I will be staying in Huntsville on the air. Thank you to everyone who reached out and made your voice heard ? pic.twitter.com/Chc6vV4Eyu
— Amber Kulick ⛈️ (@AmberKulick_wx) January 23, 2025
“Allen media has went back on the decision to let go of all local meteorologists so I will be staying in Huntsville on the air,” Kulick wrote in a post on X after previously announcing she was being laid off.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out and made your voice heard,” she added.
Matt Hoffman, chief meteorologist at Allen Media’s KDRV, expressed his happiness that weather reporters at both his station and KEZI were able to keep their jobs.
“We’re sticking around, folks!” Hoffman wrote in a post on X. “Our local meteorologists will continue to bring you the weather here at KDRV and up at KEZI. Thanks to everyone for the support!”
AMG acquired the Weather Channel for $300 million in 2018. As part of its efforts to establish a team in Atlanta to manage coverage, some local stations might still be required to replace their meteorologists with the network’s feed.
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