Scripps: A Fresh Start Was Needed

Yesterday, FTVLive told you about the massive shake-up at Scripps-owned WFTX in Ft. Myers.

We pointed to a promo picture (above) in which all the talent in the picture has been pushed out at the station.

Scripps reached out to FTVLive and said that a change was needed at the Southwest Florida station.

Scripps sent along this quote,

“When Scripps bought WFTX in April 2015, WFTX was a fourth-place station. The station spent the next few years adapting to a content strategy and upgrading its newsroom facilities and technology. After some extensive market research in the last year, we determined that the audience in Fort Myers had not developed a loyalty around our news brand. Our goal is to be the No. 1 station in this market, and we decided a fresh start was needed. Those individuals we are replacing worked hard on behalf of this station. Unfortunately, data indicated that the Fort Myers community did not embrace them enough to advance our goals. Scripps and WFTX are committed to being a leading voice in the Fort Myers/Naples communities and serving our audience with essential journalism, meaningful storytelling, and an authentic connection with our viewers."

The bottom line it’s Scripps candy store, and they can do what they want. But, I often think that talent gets either too much of the credit or too much of the blame.

I can see one of the Anchors not working out, but I find it hard to believe that all four Anchors were duds.I have to think that the issue was and is more than just the talent.

Also, I would love to know that of all the people that have been replaced, are those that replaced them being paid more or less than the people they replaced?

I doubt Scripps will tell us the answer, but I’m going to guess that it is less.

Just saying….