A new set is not the only focus at WFXT FOX 25 - weak ratings have been noticed at corporate, and Cox Media Group is sounding the alarm.
A new set is not the only focus at WFXT FOX 25 - weak ratings have been noticed at corporate, and Cox Media Group is sounding the alarm.
We're told that Cox Media Group, which acquired the station from Fox Television Stations in 2014, has labeled the ratings situation at FOX 25 as "Code Red." The Atlanta-based television group owner has brought in a team of consultants to work with corporate management "around the clock" to fix FOX 25.
The station is moving ahead with its new set at this point, as newscasts have already been moved to Studio B and construction in the newsroom renovation has already started.
On Thursday, FOX 25 news director Lee Rosenthal announced he was leaving the station. A source inside FOX 25 tells New England One that this was only the first ax to swing.
Mike Dreaden, Cox Media vice president of news and marketing for television, has taken over news director duties at the station for the time being.
We're told that Mike Oliveira is a shoo-in for the news director role at FOX 25, but nothing has been officially announced yet.
Mike has been with Cox Media since 2005 when he joined WPXI NBC 11 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an executive producer. He was promoted to managing editor in 2010, and to news director in 2012. Mike is from the Boston area, and was a producer at WHDH NBC 7 before he left for WPXI.
We are hearing that the marketing department could take a hit next, and that all station promos, except those airing for the morning show, have been scrapped.
The news department is also being looked at, and a shakeup in the producer and talent ranks is expected. The station has already been talking to longtime Cox Media employees to come in and replace any on-air or behind the scenes talent that is let go.
Cox may be realizing the mistakes it has made in completely re-branding the stations newscasts to its more generic hard news based format.
Another mistake they have realized: letting Maria Stephanos leave. The station took a massive hit in the ratings when the best known personality at the station left, and the ratings have not recovered.
It is not known what changes the station will implement next, but more is sure to come. Stay tuned!
