As someone who once labored in the salt mines of broadcasting, I can assure you it’s about the money, versus any thoughts Mr. Williams might have on global warming.
In virtually every market across the country, there has been an exodus of highly-paid talent, in favor of anchors, reporters and meteorologists who are younger and cheaper. Bob Ryan was an institution as chief met at WRC-TV in D.C. for decades, but ultimately, NBC decided they couldn’t afford Bob’s salary, along with the big bucks being paid to lead anchor Jim Vance (who just passed away) and his co-anchor, Doreen Gentzler. So Bob got the axe, spent another couple of years at WJLA and is now retired.
Same thing in New York. Len Berman got the boot as lead sportscaster at WNBC, and shortly thereafter, they told Sue Simmons, their longtime female co-anchor that her contract would not be renewed. That freed up some money to re-sign Chuck Scarborough, who has been at the station for 40 years, but people in know in the biz tell me this will be his last contract—and it’s NBC driving the train, not Mr. Scarborough.
In a TV universe that now includes literally thousands of channels, it’s increasingly difficult for local stations to attract viewers for the local news, and the days of the local anchor with a seven-figure salary is over. And it’s not just NBC; all of the broadcast groups are doing the same thing. And it’s all about money. Sinclair has become the largest station owner in the country, and they run a very lean operation. At virtually every station they’ve acquired, there has been an exodus of older, well-paid talent in favor of younger, cheaper and (mostly) female personalities.
Local news in general is going to become a thing of the past very soon.