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As cable TV continues to crumble, employees live in constant fear of more job cuts
A view of the NBA on TNT logo on a broadcast camera prior to the start of the third quarter of an NBA game.
(
David Berding
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Getty Images
)
Topline:
Working in cable TV used to feel exciting, disruptive, and with the vibe of a startup. But these days, linear cable is more akin to being a horse-and-buggy provider after the advent of the car. Those still employed there are “terrified every day of losing their jobs.”
Why it matters: The death of cable has been long talked about, but those inside the dying networks must deal with the reality of that condition, if they’re even still employed. Recent layoffs, including 140 employees at Disney-owned networks, have stripped these companies to the bone and left the ones still there worried about how secure their jobs are.
From growth to managed decline: Working in cable used to mean building a brand with an arsenal of distinctive shows. The significant decline in investing in new programming in favor of maximizing revenue with minimal investment has further negatively affected morale.
Sponsored message
The NBA-TNT fiasco: Perhaps most talked about in the world of cable recently has been the NBA media rights deal — and Warner Bros. Discovery’s exclusion from it. With live sports, one of the last bastions for many cable networks to draw a meaningful audience, now also migrating to streaming services such as Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, that reality has those who work at TNT, which has aired the NBA for four decades, worried about what their professional future holds.
For more... read the full story on The Ankler.
This story is published in partnership with The Ankler, a paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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