Amidst reports of further cost cutting and layoffs, Allen Media Broadcasting announced Saturday it will hub its weather forescasts.

In a press release (this one was posted to the website of its San Francisco station KRON), Allen Media said it’s “rolling out a groundbreaking format for local weather coverage powered by The Weather Channel across local markets nationwide.”

This partnership will be based at The Weather Channel’s Atlanta headquarters and will roll out across AMB’s local television markets in 2025. There’s no word yet on how many folks will be laid off because of this.

“We are proud to announce that Allen Media Group is leveraging the full resources and expertise of The Weather Channel to make our local weather news the very best,” said Tom O’Brien, president of Weather Group/The Weather Channel. “We are one hundred percent committed to delivering next-level weather news to our local television stations 24/7.”

Saying the hub will include “immersive mixed reality, and award-winning visual storytelling,” Allen Media said the team will be led by meteorologist Carl Parker, a 20-year veteran of The Weather Channel, and will also include some of the AMB local market meteorologists who will transition to Atlanta to be part of the next-level local weather initiative.

Allen promises that using The Weather Channel’s advanced technology, local stations will provide quicker, more efficient updates while enhancing the viewer experience.

“Weather is the number-one reason why people still watch local TV news,” wrote Tim Millard on LinkedIn. “Yes, the weather app on your phone can tell you the forecast for the day or the week. But, if a tornado or a hurricane is approaching your home, you want a live forecast from a trusted local meteorologist who knows your community. You won’t get that institutional local knowledge from a pre-recorded forecast from someone at Weather Channel headquarters

Weather forecasts will be sent from the weather channel in Atlanta. These will be pre-recorded by regional meteorologists recording hits for each Allen station. Live severe weather coverage will also come from them.

Please know – our GM tried anything and everything to keep the ABC12 weather team. This was a corporate decision with no one local at fault. Some have made comments about our competition being happy – our competitors were among the first to reach out with only words of kindness, so stop with that nonsense.

I’m so sorry to see this happening. To my friends and colleagues, you’re a valuable asset to the weather world & the community and I know you’ll land on your feet. I’m here if you need anything

Facebook post from Christina Burkhart – former meteorologist at Allen Media owned WJRT in Flint, Michigan