Staffers Leaving Indy Station Before CBS Pullout

The staff at WISH in Indianapolis are worried about the future of the station when it loses its affiliation.

A number of staffers are getting out while the getting is good. 

Sources tell FTVLive that Brent Denny, who was the WISH Director of National and Regional Sales, jumped to WTHR as their National Sales Manager. A WISH account executive jumped ship over to WXIN as well.

The Indianapolis Star reports that Julie Zoumbaris, who had been WISH's sales director since 2009, departed to take that same position with WRTV, the ABC affiliate announced. And morning traffic reporter Julie Patterson left after she and station executives were unable to come to terms on a new contract, industry sources said.

All these departures come a month after CBS Corp. announced it would switch its affiliation from WISH to WTTV-TV Channel 4 on Jan. 1. WISH officials have made no announcements about how they plan to proceed without the national network affiliation.

In the meantime, station owner LIN has tried to steady the ship internally. Earlier this month, LIN honchos gathered with WISH employees to show their appreciation for their work and assure them they are working on a plan for a future without CBS, according to a source close to the station.

But, many staffers are no banking on the station's plans and are looking to get out before CBS pulls out.

Stay tuned.....