Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

sizzlechest wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 2:31 pm

Round Six wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:57 am

Michiganviewer wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 7:47 am Hope to see Karen Drew bought out. Might watch channel 4 again.

Go soak your head if you can find a square bucket. Drew in a sleeveless top is Must See TV for me.

Pretty harsh--she visited my place of employment earlier this year. I didn't speak to her directly, but she was treating everyone else like they were the celebrity. She was so nice it kind of blew my mind. So yeah, no need to rag on her.

J-Ten wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 10:09 pm https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/article ... ke_buyouts

WDIV General Manager Bob Ellis did not directly confirm the reports, but told the Free Press in an email Wednesday that the station began offering in March a "voluntary retirement incentive program," what he called a "thoughtful pathway for our long-serving colleagues nearing retirement."

Ellis added: "As you no doubt understand, we do not comment on station personnel matters," but implied that changes were imminent by saying that "in the weeks ahead, we will celebrate with our viewers those who determine this is the right opportunity for them."

BFSEsq wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 12:43 pm The Deadline Detroit report has now been picked up by the Free Press, so I'd say the chances of it being true are very likely: It's looking like Bernie Smilovitz, Rod Meloni, and Mara MacDonald took the buyout. I like the additional sourcing of the Free Press contacting the general manager of WDIV and though he didn't confirm anything, he definitely didn't deny it:

WDIV General Manager Bob Ellis did not directly confirm the reports, but told the Free Press in an email Wednesday that the station began offering in March a "voluntary retirement incentive program," what he called a "thoughtful pathway for our long-serving colleagues nearing retirement."

Ellis added: "As you no doubt understand, we do not comment on station personnel matters," but implied that changes were imminent by saying that "in the weeks ahead, we will celebrate with our viewers those who determine this is the right opportunity for them."

Bernie finally being done there, even though it's about 15-20 years overdue, is still going to be a big deal. I mean, that is a long career. Rod Meloni was always a great reporter, and seemed to know his stuff. Mara MacDonald I always hated, so good riddance. And that's my 2 cents!

I can't believe Bernie didn't retire on his own volition like a decade ago. I guess he still really needed the money.

Michiganviewer wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2024 12:34 pm Rod is someone I enjoy watching. I hope another network picks him up as the noncompete is set to be illegal in couple months.

Editorcj wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 1:42 pm Update to the Jessica Dupnack story. Fox 2 was able to dig deep and counter 4s offer after all so she will remain with Fox 2.

km1125 wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 3:37 pm

Editorcj wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 1:42 pm Update to the Jessica Dupnack story. Fox 2 was able to dig deep and counter 4s offer after all so she will remain with Fox 2.

That's good news. I saw her doing a story (recorded though, so I didn't know how old it was) after it was stated she was going to 4 and was wondering how they got away with that.

I'll take Dupnack over MacDonald every day of the week, and twice on Sundays!