Tribune Broadcasting President Jerry Kersting is shaking up WPIX-TV (CW) New York. He informed shocked employees Monday that station President/GM Betty Ellen Berlamino had been shown the door. Kersting himself will oversee the station until a new GM is named.
“For several weeks I have been in the process of evaluating the management teams across our television stations, and today I decided it was time to make a change at WPIX – General Manager Betty Ellen Berlamino has left the station. Please join me in wishing her the best. While we look for a new GM, I will be overseeing WPIX in addition to my other duties,” Kersting said in an email to staffers. “This station is one of the real jewels of Tribune Broadcasting and it has great history. I know you all take great pride in what you do and I look forward to working with you,” he concluded.
The GM ouster came just a few days after local reports that veteran anchor Jim Watkins had been told that his contract was not being renewed. However, the New York Daily News noted that Watkins’ contract, due to expire in August, required the advance notice of non-renewal, so the notice might be a bargaining maneuver. Watkins co-anchors the WPIX 6:30 and 10:00 pm newscasts with Kaity Tong.
