WAMU Announces Layoffs And Shutdown Of DCist

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From Radio Insight:

American University Public News/Talk 88.5 WAMU Washington DC has announced a round of cuts and restructuring as it prepares to put more emphasis on its audio product.
WAMU, which is regularly the most listened to station in Washington with a 12.7 share in the just released January 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings, will shutdown its DCist.com news site while eliminating fifteen positions. WAMU had acquired the site in 2018 from the former Gothamist network with WNYC New York and KPCC Los Angeles acquiring Gothamist.com and LAist.com respectively. KPCC would later rebrand as “LAist 89.3“.
Axios reports that while fifteen current positions are being eliminated, WAMU intends to add ten new audio based positions as the organization focuses on its core radio products and new digital audio opportunities from podcasts and live events. The Axios report says the station is planning to launch a new local program and will “elevate WAMU’s biggest voices”. General Manager Erika Pulley-Hayes was quoted, “We’re making the choice to invest in what we’re better at than anyone else in this town, and that’s audio.”
A memo sent to staffers by Pulley-Hayes ahead of their all-hands virtual meeting this morning informed them that all local on-air and digital content would be suspended with no employees expected to come into the office leading to many fearing much more substantial cuts. WAMU recently hired National Geographic’s Vice President of Multi-Platform Content and Integrated Storytelling Michael Tribble as Chief Content Officer. Tribble also has held editorial, design and innovation roles at multiple newspapers across the country.



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