About a dozen people at Comcast SportsNet Chicago were told their job is being eliminated and that the network is overhauling its programming lineup. 

Word is that the cuts are part of a nationwide cutback ordered by parent company Comcast NBCUniversal, the layoffs are believed to be the first in the 12-year history of Comcast SportsNet here.

Robert Feder says that at least 11 positions were in the area of studio crews and production personnel, according to insiders.

No on-air employees were affected as of yet. 

A spokesman for the network declined to comment on the layoffs but released a statement signaling significant changes ahead in the presentation of sports news.

“We are currently reformatting our programming lineup in order to better serve the CSN Chicago fanbase,” the statement said. “A new slate of offerings will be introduced in the near future designed to provide our fans with even more compelling sports content that will better suit the needs of today’s evolving sports audience.”

Sources tell FTVLive that other NBC properties are in line for cuts and that this is just the start.

Stay tuned...