News 12 Restructuring Prompts Questions From CT Regulators

News 12’s restructuring plan has prompted Connecticut regulators to question what any staff cuts will mean for local news programming.

Thomas Wiehl, chairman of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, sent a letter dated Aug. 27 to the New York-based Optimum Communications Inc., which is News 12’s parent company.

Wiehl wrote that Connecticut state statute requires the company to inform PURA of any planned programming or rate changes no less than 30 days before implementing them, with limited exceptions.

“We have not yet received any notification of planned changes to local news programming for News 12,” Wiehl wrote, in the letter.

Wiehl said he hopes this lack of notification means there will be no changes to local news programming.

“However, if Optimum does plan to change News 12 programming, please promptly notify PURA in compliance with Connecticut law,” Wiehl wrote.

News industry blog The Laurel reported in July that 11 people were being let go at News 12 in Connecticut, including anchors Mark Sudol and Becky Suran.

Brian Smith, director of government affairs for Connecticut for Optimum, responded in a Sept. 2 letter to Wiehl.

According to Smith, Optimum believes any of its planned changes don’t meet the criteria for a PURA notification.

“We understand a programming change to generally include the discontinuation or addition of a channel, as well as the channel placement within a lineup,” Smith wrote. “It is our view that the updates to News 12’s local news programming on an existing channel do not fall within the scope of the notice requirement.”

“That said, Optimum feels that it is important to keep the Authority apprised of developments that impact its Connecticut customers, beyond its strict regulatory requirements,” Smith added.

Smith offered to meet with Wiehl and PURA staff about local news and evolving video models, and he said the company will keep it briefed on all issues of interest, the letter shows.

Taylor Chapman, a spokesperson for Optimum Communications, Inc., did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wiehl’s letter this week.

In July, Chapman issued the following statement to Patch regarding the restructuring and layoffs:

“Local journalism is changing, and News 12 is evolving with it. As audiences increasingly consume news across platforms and formats, we are taking proactive steps to ensure News 12 remains strong, relevant, and sustainable for the future. Our mission remains unchanged. We remain committed to delivering trusted hyperlocal journalism, serving the communities that rely on us, and providing viewers with the news and information they want, where and how they want it.”

Read more:

News 12 Cuts Dozens Of Staff In Connecticut, New York: Reports