UPDATE: Political analyst Jon Keller has confirmed his departure from WBZ, following significant layoffs at the Boston station. Keller, who spent 20 years at WBZ, was let go as part of corporate cuts impacting five employees last week.
In an urgent message shared via his MASSterList email newsletter, Keller expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he received following the announcement. “Massholes may not always put their voting energy where their mouths are, but here’s some good news about us – scratch the gruff, bleep-off exterior and there’s a good chance you’ll find a deep reservoir of grace and compassion,” he stated.
Keller’s termination comes amid a wave of layoffs across the media landscape, driven by Paramount‘s recent restructuring after its $8 billion merger with Skydance. Reports indicate that approximately 2,000 employees, or 10% of Paramount’s workforce, will be affected, with 1,000 layoffs already executed last week.
Keller joined WBZ in 2005, becoming a familiar face with his “Keller @ Large” segments featured during WBZ News at 5 and 6 p.m. He reassured his audience, saying, “Please keep reading our work here and in Boston Magazine, and pass the word to others who might be interested. And stay tuned. More to come.”
This is not Keller’s first experience with layoffs; he was previously let go by WBZ Newsradio 1030 in 2020 amid nationwide cuts by iHeartMedia. As the situation develops, Keller’s next steps remain highly anticipated among his followers and the broader Boston community.
As the fallout from the Paramount cuts continues to unfold, the impact on local media and journalism is significant. Viewers are urged to stay connected for further updates on Keller’s future endeavors and the latest developments in the ongoing layoffs affecting the industry.
