Nexstar laid off between 30-40 staffers at the CW network Tuesday, marking the first sweeping staffing overhaul at the “Walker” broadcaster since it changed ownership, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Among those cuts were Paul Hewitt, the longtime CW comms chief, who has been replaced by Beth Feldman. Additionally, multiple execs in distribution, strategy and affiliate relations were let go, with Google vet Rebekah Dopp taking over those departments.
Nexstar is wasting little time revamping The CW, a plan that began with the replacement of longtime CW president Mark Pedowitz being ousted upon the close of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale of the network to Nexstar Oct. 3. Also cut in the wake of the deal were streaming and branding exec Rick Haskins and ad sales head Mitch Nedick.
Following half a year of speculation and buildup to the sale, TV station giant Nexstar has been expected to start orienting CW’s operations toward the demands of its primary business — ownership of local stations.
For years, The CW thrived on a rich vein of revenue gained from the sale of streaming rights to Netflix, but Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount are more concerned these days with deriving their own revenue from streaming subscriptions and advertising sold alongside broadband-distributed programming.
It’s also expected The CW, long the home of iconic teen content like “Supernatural” and “Gossip Girl” and other YA dramas, will be shifting its strategy to unscripted fare and news programming. The network has already canceled several shows this year, including “4400,” “Batwoman,” “Charmed,” “Dynasty,” “Stargirl,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” “In the Dark,” “Legacies,” “Legends of the Hidden Temple,” “Nancy Drew,” “Naomi,” “Roswell, New Mexico” and “Tom Swift,” as well as giving final season orders to “Riverdale” and “The Flash.”
Don’t look for Nexstar to change everything. The network’s name — the “C” was for CBS and the “W” for Warner — is likely to remain, at least for the time being, sources told PvNew earlier this month. A branding refresh would likely cost a significant amount, and the network’s name is already embedded in cable-guide listings and smart-TV selections.
Nexstar will be reporting its Q3 earnings Nov. 8.
