2 Illinois TV stations merge operations

PEORIA -- Two central Illinois television stations have merged operations, citing financial concerns.

The merger of WEEK-TV and WHOI-TV is effective Monday.

Granite Broadcasting Corp., owner of WEEK, will operate both stations from the WEEK studios in East Peoria and provide advertising and other administrative services for WHOI.

Barrington Broadcasting Group remains owner of WHOI. In a similar arrangement, Barrington will provide administrative services for a Granite-owned station in Syracuse, N.Y.

The station's owners did not say how many jobs will be lost with the merger.

Mark DeSantis is president and general manager of WEEK and WHOI. He says the deal is the result of the economic downturn.

DeSantis says WEEK will keep 16 WHOI employees, including several anchors.