Tegna’s WKYC, a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced the cancellation of its long-running sponsored lifestyle talk show, “Good Company.” The show, which premiered in 2005, will end its run in mid-January 2025. This decision is part of a larger restructuring impacting Tegna's marketing teams, which are being consolidated into regional hubs.
The restructuring will unfortunately lead to job losses at WKYC, although the exact number remains undisclosed. This is in addition to broader layoffs planned across Tegna’s stations nationwide. “Good Company,” hosted by Katherine Boyd and Joe Cronauer, primarily features advertiser-sponsored segments and currently airs at noon.
The station has not yet revealed what will replace the show in that timeslot or if it will remain a locally produced program. Such shows have traditionally offered a unique advertising avenue for local businesses, providing a platform to showcase products and services within a talk show format. Advertisers typically pay for individual segments or as part of a larger package.
Historically, these types of programs have been relatively inexpensive to produce and financially successful, even with moderate ratings. While the specific financial details of “Good Company” haven’t been released, the decision reflects the challenges facing broadcasters. With declining linear audiences, these shows face an increasingly difficult environment.
The cancellations are part of a wider trend in the broadcasting industry. With economic uncertainty, rising costs, and shrinking traditional audiences, significant cuts are expected. The absence of major events like the Olympics in 2024 also presents further financial challenges for networks and their affiliates.
While Tegna experienced a strong 2024 due to political advertising and, for NBC affiliates, Olympics revenue, the future financial outlook remains uncertain for many media outlets.