Meteorologists at 27 local TV news stations are facing job uncertainty after Allen Media Group and The Weather Channel announced a new local weather program.

The group, which has stations in 21 markets across the country, said on Saturday it was rolling out a new format for weather coverage that would give its stations "additional visual storytelling capabilities" by 2025.

The move comes as the broadcast industry, particularly the television industry, looks for new ways to engage viewers in response to declining cable TV ratings and the rise of streaming platforms.

The program involves meteorologists from The Weather Channel in Atlanta producing content for local stations across the country. The media group said in a statement that the team under the new initiative will be led by Weather Channel meteorologist Carl Parker and includes a number of meteorologists from local stations who will relocate to Atlanta.

The organization said severe weather will continue to be a priority and the new format will "enhance reporting capabilities, particularly during high-risk weather conditions." The release said it will also ensure "the most accurate, Timely and attractive forecasts”.

The company would not publicly detail how the change would affect local station meteorologists.

Meteorologists at some weather stations said they expected to be affected by the decision. There are also some TV stations that announced in early 2024 that they are facing continued layoffs.

“By now, most of you have probably seen the news about Allen Media making local meteorology I am also the one who will be affected by the rumors that my family is leaving," the media group wrote in a social media post. “I’m currently still at the station, but I’m looking for my next career opportunity.”

Josh Franson, a meteorologist at KWWL-TV in Iowa, said he is among those facing layoffs at the station.

"Hey guys, if you haven't heard the recent news about layoffs, I wanted to let you know that our station is one of the stations affected," Franson wrote in a post on X. I've been following The Frannis Report since day one, thank you. "

Zach Stanford, former state coordinator of crisis information and disaster intelligence for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, said local meteorologists are the “obvious choice for life-saving local weather information” and are sharing other information such as wildfire extent and fire coverage) plays a key role. evacuation.

"Local meteorologists on television are trusted faces, not only because they know their science, but because they are members of that community," Stanford told NPR. "The community component must be carefully considered to ensure Critical services will not be lost."

Allen Media Group acquired The Weather Channel in 2018.