One day after announcing price increases that could raise the monthly bills of some of its video subscribers by more than $15, Denver-based MSO Wide Open West (WOW!) has confirmed that it is laying off 9 percent of its 3,000-employee workforce.
"WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone has advised its 3,000-plus employees that approximately 9 percent fo the company positions will be eliminated through early 2015," a company statement reads. "The reduction in force affects all WOW! functions and locations. The company is making this change to compete more effectively and better position itself for future growth."
The layoffs were first reported by Kansas' Lawrence World Journal.
Posting on DSL Reports message boards, one individual noted, "WOW! was definitely an amazing place to work. Over the past three years, it [went] from being run as a small business to being run exactly like Comcast."
As the website noted, the cuts follow the management turmoil that coincided with the departure of former CEO Colleen Abdoulah earlier this year.
A day earlier, the Lawrence World Journal reported broad price increases across WOW!'s pay-TV services, which included a $2-per-month "sports surcharge fee," a $1-per-month "local origination programming fee" and a $5-a-month "broadcast TV fee."
WOW! is privately owned by Avista Capital Partners and operates cable systems throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
For more:
- read this Lawrence World Journal story
- and this other Lawrence World Journal story
- read this DSL Reports story
Related links:
WOW! Business makes Maryland its next customer target
WOW! Business employs Alcatel-Lucent's 7750 router for IP network expansion
WOW! Business expands service delivery to accommodate business, wholesale growth in 19 markets