BREAKING: Political analyst Jon Keller has spoken out following his recent termination from WBZ, a major Boston television station. Keller, who has been a familiar face on WBZ for nearly 20 years, was laid off amid significant job cuts announced by parent company Paramount last week.
Keller confirmed his departure as part of wider layoffs affecting approximately 2,000 employees, which represent around 10% of Paramount’s total workforce. The cuts come just months after Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance.
In a heartfelt message shared in his MASSterList newsletter on Monday, Keller reflected on the support he received from viewers during this challenging time. He stated, “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 expressed gratitude for the “dozens of very generous texts, emails, and phone calls” received in response to the layoffs, emphasizing his commitment to respond to each one. “We’re going to respond to every last one, but in the meantime, thank you,” he wrote.
Keller, known for his “Keller @ Large” reports aired during WBZ News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., encouraged his followers to continue supporting his work, stating, “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 isn’t the first time Keller faced job cuts; he was previously let go by WBZ Newsradio 1030 in 2020 amid a wave of layoffs across iHeartMedia.
The recent layoffs at WBZ are part of a larger trend within the media industry, as companies streamline operations in response to changing market conditions. Sources confirm that last week alone saw around 1,000 layoffs initiated by Paramount, with the remainder expected to occur in the coming months.
As the situation unfolds, viewers and fans of Keller remain hopeful for his next move, eager for updates about his future endeavors in journalism and media. Stay tuned for further developments as Keller hints at upcoming projects.
