Boston TV: WBZ Announces Buyouts Amid Staff Changes

WBZ-TV has offered voluntary buyouts to several photographers and engineers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1228 confirmed on Thursday. 

The announcement follows the high-profile layoff of Emmy-winning health reporter Dr. Mallika Marshall and coincides with veteran reporter Beth Germano’s decision to retire next month after nearly three decades at the station.

The Boston Globe reports Fletcher Fischer, business manager and financial secretary for IBEW Local 1228, revealed that the buyouts target six photographers and three engineering department employees. The union currently represents 36 workers at WBZ, a smaller presence compared to other Boston stations like WHDH-TV (95 workers) and WCVB-TV (90 workers). 

Employees have until August 15 to accept the buyout offers, with departures expected in September. Fischer expressed uncertainty about whether the station plans to eliminate these positions permanently or replace them with lower-cost or younger staff. 

Beth Germano

The buyouts come during a period of upheaval for WBZ’s parent company, CBS News, and its parent, Paramount Global. On Thursday, the FCC approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, a deal long in the making. Paramount has also faced recent scrutiny, including a $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump over an edited 60 Minutes segment and the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Fischer speculated that the buyouts may be tied to the merger and broader corporate challenges, though neither WBZ nor Paramount responded to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Beth Germano, a WBZ reporter since 1996, announced her retirement, effective August 15. The 64-year-old emphasized that her decision was voluntary and unrelated to the buyouts. “This is entirely my choice,” Germano said in an interview, describing the timing as coincidental. 

“Life is a series of chapters, and I feel it’s time to start a new one.” Germano, who has covered regional stories as a roving reporter and previously worked at WCVB-TV, New England Cable News, Monitor Cable Channel, WLVI-TV, and WGBH-TV, reflected on her career with gratitude, calling it “the most wonderful” experience.