News director, news anchors among 15 jobs eliminated at Spectrum News locally (2024)

By the end of the year, it appears viewers of the 24-hour Spectrum News in Buffalo will be missing some of their favorite news anchors in what the cable company Charter Communications has described as statewide organizational changes rather than budget cuts.

According to sources, midday news anchor John Borsa, evening news anchor Casey Bortnick, weekend sports anchor Greg Vorse and weekend news anchor Jeannie McBride are among those who have been told their jobs are being eliminated by the end of December.

However, the same sources add that those who have been told their jobs are being eliminated can apply for other jobs at Spectrum News, which has offices in Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany in addition to Buffalo.

Sources add that news director Kelly Holland and assistant news director Steve Marth have been told they are among the 15 people whose jobs have been eliminated in Buffalo. In addition, almost all photographers and those working on the assignment desk locally have been told their jobs are being eliminated.

The only anchors who appear to be safe from losing their jobs are in the morning – Scott Patterson, who anchors weekday mornings, and Breanna Fuss, who anchors weekend mornings.

According to sources, the job eliminations came as a surprise here, especially since a new newsroom is being built in downtown Buffalo.

It appears that reporters in Buffalo have been spared from losing their jobs because they are part of the plans for the newly organized cable news channel.

The news of the job eliminations has led several former Spectrum reporters and anchors to highlight on social media how important working there was to their careers when Time Warner started the news channel and to offer support to those whose jobs have been eliminated. They include: WGRZ-TV (Channel 2) anchor Kate Welshofer and Kate Glaser, the Make-a-Wish senior manager of brand, communications and community engagement. Former Investigative Post and WIVB-TV (Channel 4) reporter Ali Ingersoll also wrote that she was "honored to have worked besides many of the talented and dedicated" Spectrum journalists.

Spectrum is the least transparent media company in Western New York and rarely gives details to outside reporters about company decisions other than in generic comments in releases.

Spectrum’s 24-hour local news operation sets it apart from satellite providers and Fios so it will be interesting to see how much the organizational changes will impact local coverage.

Since so few anchors remain in Buffalo, it appears that Spectrum News may be transferring to a statewide model of anchoring – perhaps from Albany – outside of local morning programs.

A Spectrum spokesperson said “our goal is to transition employees into open positions where feasible. We are working as hard as we can to protect as many positions as possible.”

Spectrum released a statement last week in which it “announced a series of operational changes that will enable its news networks in Upstate New York to expand on their award-winning local news programming by adding more community-based stories – while expanding our statewide coverage – regarding the most important issues facing New Yorkers in this ever-challenging environment. Spectrum News has experienced great success with this approach in other major markets across the U.S.

“We will complement our award-winning breaking news reporting with more ‘boots-on-the-ground’ news gathering and storytelling. We will produce more community-based content, including weather and news updates specific to Buffalo from our local multimedia journalists, who all will be assigned to cover regions and beats. We will utilize our editorial support team to provide research, feedback and logistical assistance to ensure reporting is fact-based, objective and of the highest quality.

“This new model is less reliant on traditional newsroom positions and will result in the consolidation or elimination of certain roles. We also will add positions in strategic areas and shift existing resources to embed more journalists in our communities to produce even more stories for our digital and linear platforms. These changes – along with the recent launch of our news app making Buffalo available to all 28 million residential Spectrum internet subscribers across the entire country – reflect our long-term commitment and investment in local news. Our goal is to deliver the most impactful stories that inspire and connect our audience, and our experience shows this structure will continue to strengthen Spectrum News’s hyperlocal reporting moving forward.”