Out the Door in Cleveland

Talk about leaving a mess behind…

WOIO/WUAB GM, David Hughes is leaving Cleveland to be the GM of WFSB in Hartford. Both stations are owned by Gray Media.

Hughes was only at the station for two years. During his time several senior photogs and engineers were sent on their way through buyouts. Other staff reductions saw the loss of producers, assignment desk, marketing, and photogs

The new GM will be WOIO’s 4th GM in 4 years. Erik Schrader left in 2021, Matt Moran left in 23, and now Hughs in 25.

All of this comes while the project to move WOIO to a new building has completely stalled.

Gray bought land for $2.8 million just to learn that the land isn’t usable. The current option is a lease on office space in Independence, Ohio.

“We were told 8 months ago that they were close to “putting pen to paper” but the last thing that had to happen was for Gray CEO Hilton Howell to come tour the current building and the proposed office space. We have received no indication from corporate that this will happen anytime soon,” said one station insider.

The WOIO staff is waiting for any new building announcement while dealing with water leaks from the ceilings, car break ins and even car theft in one case, pests, building windows getting shot out, homeless people having sex in our stairwell, elevator break downs, and so much more.

The place is a mess and it appears the GM is just getting the hell out of town.