Bonneville International has consolidated its broadcast and digital operations in Salt Lake City leading to 30 employees exiting the company.
The move brings further integration of KSL-TV and News/Talk 1160 KSL/102.7 KSL-FM with the company’s Deseret Digital Media division that includes the Deseret News newspaper.
RAMP reports that KSL Program Director Kevin LaRue has exited in the cuts. LaRue had been in his role since 2006 following a five year run programming WFIR Roanoke VA. Also exiting is reporter/anchor Heather Kelly. She had been with the station since 2012 after previous stints as a producer and traffic reporter for Capital Broadcasting and Clear Channel Salt Lake City.
Bonneville told TVNewscheck, “Since 2009, KSL Newsradio and KSL TV have operated in a different company than KSL.com. Wednesday, the step was taken to unify all platforms and aspects of the KSL brand under one leadership team. In an ever-evolving media landscape, this unification will position KSL to continue to leverage the best technologies available and to deliver the highest quality content across the state. KSL is committed to being the most trusted source of news, information, and marketplace in the Intermountain West.”
The move comes as Bonneville also announced the launch of the “Bonneville Sports Network” unifying its five local Sports brands into one sales platform.
The platform allows buyers to purchase the company’s “Arizona Sports” 98.7 KMVP-FM Phoenix, “Denver Sports” 104.3 KKFN Denver, “Sactown Sports” 1140 KHTK Sacramento, “Seattle Sports” 710 KIRO Seattle, and “KSL Sports” 1280 KZNS/97.5 KZNS-FM Salt Lake City’s on-air and digital platforms in one solution or locally.
Bonneville President/CEO Tanya Vea said, “Bonneville Sports Network gives advertisers both flexibility and scale. Our network reaches fans wherever and whenever they engage with sports, across every platform. Advertisers can now leverage that strength in a way that aligns with their goals, whether they’re pursuing national reach or meaningful local impact.”
VP/Digital Sales Aleece Southern added, “This platform creates a unified opportunity for advertisers. Bonneville Sports Network connects five powerhouse markets, enabling brands to reach millions of fans with one buy or go deeper in a single market through our local sports brands.”
