Media—Telemundo Cuts Jobs in Aftermath Of Terror Attacks

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Telemundo Communications Group Inc. has laid off 17 employees at its two Los Angeles stations, KVEA-TV Channel 52 and KWHY-TV Channel 22.

Rick Blangiardi, president of Telemundo Group Inc., said the cuts were made in response to revenue losses as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks and had nothing to do with talk of NBC’s plans to buy the Spanish-language television network. He declined to comment on what kind of savings the layoffs would generate for the stations.

While the Miami Herald recently reported that Telemundo planned to lay off 150 employees, Blangiardi said the cuts affected only about 60 employees throughout the network.

Despite the local layoffs, KVEA recently expanded its news programming, adding the 5 to 6 a.m. hour on weekdays. “We did what we did so we could keep all of our newscasts on,” Blangiardi said.


Speedy Sports

Blink and you might miss the sports stories of the day.

KCOP-TV Channel 13 recently dropped sports anchor Michelle Bonner, replacing her weekday segment with “Sports In A Minute.”

“I just don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t think there’s that much interest in sports,” said news director Larry Perret, adding the decision was not a financial one.


Oldies Veteran to Retire

The man who helped resurrect KRTH-FM (101.1) and take it to new ratings heights announced he will be retiring in February.

In his 11 years at the oldies station, Mike Phillips changed the musical line-up, added more contests and brought in veteran DJs Robert W. Morgan and “The Real” Don Steele to attract listeners to KRTH.

“I’ve pretty much accomplished what I wanted to do both career-wise and financially,” said the 59-year-old Phillips. “I’ve done it long enough.”

Assistant programming director Jay Coffey will become interim programming director starting Oct. 29. Phillips will stay on in a consulting role through Feb. 14.


Winning the Lottery

One of L.A.’s largest ad agencies is hoping to win the lottery again.

Grey Advertising’s local office has handled ads for the California State Lottery for nearly five years but the contract is running out and the new account, worth $100 million over four years, is up for bid, said Cathy Doyle Johnston, a lottery spokeswoman.

To get in the door, agencies must have at least five years experience and a minimum of $10 million in account billings and $50 million in media placement for 2000.

An ad agency is expected to be chosen by Dec. 21.

Claudia Peschiutta can be reached at 323-549-5225 ext. 229 or [email protected]

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