Earlier this week, we learned that Scripps was laying off employees at local TV stations, and now Tenga is doing the same. This week San Antonio’s KENS5 television station has laid off at least four newsroom employees, sources familiar with the matter revealed, as its parent company, Tegna, presses forward with a broader restructuring effort. The cuts, reported on March 6, 2025, are part of an ongoing transformation at the Virginia-based broadcast giant, which oversees 64 stations across 51 markets, including 15 in Texas such as KVUE-TV in Austin, KHOU-TV in Houston, and WFAA-TV in Dallas. While a Tegna spokesperson declined to confirm the specific departures at KENS5, they acknowledged that the company is “scaling back” certain operations to adapt to an evolving media landscape, according to a report from San Antonio Current.
The individuals familiar with the layoffs indicated that the reductions extend beyond San Antonio, impacting newsrooms at other Tegna properties, though they could not specify the total number of job losses or the exact roles affected at KENS5. This lack of clarity underscores the fluid nature of the restructuring, leaving staff and viewers awaiting further details.
The downsizing at KENS5 follows a series of job cuts across Tegna’s portfolio, reflecting broader challenges in the local TV industry. Just last month, the company eliminated its Verify fact-checking team, a group of 20 journalists and producers dedicated to combating misinformation, according to AdWeek. That content had been a staple across Tegna’s local stations and digital platforms. Additionally, late last year, Tegna streamlined its marketing operations, shedding more positions, as reported by South Carolina’s FITSNews. These moves signal a strategic pivot as the company grapples with declining ad revenue and shifts in audience behavior toward digital and streaming platforms.
The layoffs coincide with the tenure of Tegna’s new CEO, Mike Steib, who assumed the role in August 2024. A former Google executive, Steib has championed the integration of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, encouraging staff to harness AI for reporting, producing, and managing broadcasts. His vision has sparked debate—while some see AI as a lifeline for struggling newsrooms, others worry it could further erode traditional journalism jobs.
These cuts raise questions about the future of local news coverage in the market. As Tegna balances investment and reduction, the impact on stations like KENS5—and the communities they serve—remains a story to watch.
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