KSL Television and Video West Productions will merge their operations, resulting in 18 job cuts over the next month.
Bonneville International Corp., the parent company of KSL and Video West, said in a press release that the merger was effective Friday. Video West Productions will be absorbed under the KSL name, the release said, while the Video West Duplication Center will continue its operations under the new name of Bonneville Duplication.
Other terms of the merger were not disclosed.
Claire Bjelland, Bonneville International Corp. spokeswoman, said 18 people will lose their jobs as a result of the merger. Some cutbacks were effective Friday, with the remainder taking effect within the next 35 days, Bjelland said.
"It's definitely a reduction in force," she said. "It has to do with economies and efficiencies."
Jim Yorgason, vice president and general manager of KSL Television, said the merger will allow the company to deliver a better product to the community.
"We are delighted to integrate Video West's production talent and capability into our own," Yorgason said in a statement. "The depth of employee skills and experience adds further dimension to services offered to the community as a whole."
Bonneville International Corp. is owned by Deseret Management Corp., a holding company for businesses affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bonneville operates 20 radio stations nationwide. In the Salt Lake area, the company owns and operates KSL and Bonneville Communications, an advertising agency.
E-mail: jnii@desnews.com