WNBC-TV yesterday axed four senior correspondents – two months after staff was ordered to reapply for their positions.
Sports anchor Otis Livingston, anchor Monica Morales, reporter/anchor Carolyn Gusoff and weathercaster SallyAnn Mosey were fired. All four were experienced, popular and instantly recognizable members of the Channel 4 team.
“Their contracts are not being renewed,” channel spokeswoman Susan Kiel said yesterday.
A station source told The Post the firings had nothing to do with massive cutbacks, including the loss of 500 jobs, announced this week by the channel’s owners, NBC Universal.
“It has more to do with plans Channel 4 announced last May to streamline their operations and newsroom and create a ‘content center,’ ” said the source.
“There will be more people coming in, and more leaving as time goes on.”
A staffer at the station said yesterday: “We’re all pretty shocked.
“These are big names. These are people who are considered a central part of our team, and the news that they’re going has left us lost for words.
“Morale is not good.”
In May, the channel – which has a staff of about 125 – announced plans to launch a 24-hour New York news channel to go head to head with Time Warner Cable’s NY1.
The new operation has been given funding of up to $20 million, but it came with an overhaul of the news department that damaged morale, staff said at the time.
“Producers are being told they basically have to reapply for their positions and take classes to prove they’re proficient as writers, computer operators and can work the WNBC Web site,” said an insider.
“They’re now going to be ‘global news gatherers,’ or some ridiculous title like that.
“Everyone’s getting their résumés out.”
Kiel said: “We’re asking our newsroom to adapt to today’s digital environment and transform their newsgathering approach.
“While this type of change can be difficult, it is key to better serving our viewers.”
Industry insiders warned when the plans for a 24-hour news cycle were announced that that could be the beginning of the end for Channel 4’s high-priced, local on-air talent – but NBC execs insisted its 6 p.m. news broadcast, and its team, would not be cut.
NBC announced this week it was slashing hundreds of jobs, including correspondents, in an effort to trim $500 million from its budget next year.
Though the source said the Channel 4 firings were not connected, it was not known if the budget restraints would mean more layoffs at the channel.