The website CordcutterNews.com reported on Friday that Sinclair Broadcasting Group, the owner of WPMI in Mobile, WEAR-TV and more than a hundred televisions was shutting down some of its local news operations.
Sinclair has long wanted to step up its presence and be seen as the fourth national network, joining CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox. The local news programs will be replaced The National Desk, which will feature national and regional news but no local news.
Both WEAR-TV and WPMI have recently had layoffs. Lagniappe Mobile has reported WPMI laid more than 20 people in March.
CordCutter reported that both WPMI and WEAR-TV were dropping local news, but sources have shared that only the Mobile station is switching to The National Desk. The Pensacola newsroom is safe.