Look Up TV has announced that it will be shutting down its newsroom after six years of operation. This decision, effective from Friday, June 7, will impact both its Swahili and English news broadcasts.
The closure will result in over 100 employees losing their jobs, including correspondents, reporters, anchors, and sales team members. The station owners attributed the shutdown to high taxation and evolving media dynamics.
Although it will cease broadcast operations, Look Up TV will continue to maintain its digital platforms, with the relevant staff working remotely. The affected employees have been promised appreciation tokens as a gesture of gratitude for their contributions.
A company memo stated, “After this month, we will officially conclude our operations. Appreciation tokens will be sent to all. We will stay in touch.”
In August 2022, Look Up TV garnered attention by hiring veteran news anchor Louis Otieno, who anchored prime-time news from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, breaking from the standard 9 pm slot used by other media houses.
In recent years, Look Up TV has faced significant financial difficulties, leading to major budget cuts in an attempt to remain operational.
