Soon after I was given word that KTVU's great political editor/reporter, Randy Shandobil, was leaving the venerable Fox affiliate, a local media wag, (he's been in the biz over 30 years) asked me if the move was a "retirement or 'retirement.'"
The inference was clear. Was Shandobil offered a buyout or did he really retire. I don't know and I doubt Shandobil would say anything on the record, but his sudden departure speaks volumes about the current state of the business.
KTVU is owned by Cox communications out of Atlanta. It is an enormously successful broadcast entity and its news operation is admired and respected by everyone in the industry. Just a few years ago, its "10 0' Clock News" signature broadcast accounted for 1% of Cox' overall earnings. That's a lot of money.
KTVU is one of the few local news outlets that is still generating massive revenue; (estimates range from $40 to $50 million a year,) even so, bottom-line mentality from Cox corporate has hit the Oakland-based station.
There was numerous speculation about the abrupt departure of Ross McGowan, who retired last October. Was he really retiring or did he see the handwriting on the wall and decided it was time to go. Sure, McGowan had over three decades in the business, but seemed to be at the top of his game.
I'm not suggesting in any way something sinister about KTVU and/or its corporate owner, but it does indicate a new reality that's been ingrained in the current media landscape.
**Anderson Cooper is the most coveted news anchor in the country, (apparently) yet his numbers at CNN continue to dwindle. The cable outlet strongly denied a report that he was interested in Katie Couric's gig at CBS.
Prediction: Cooper leaves CNN within the year and Couric departs CBS News when her contract expires. The Couric move is plain and simple: she's been a ratings disaster at the eye network and her estimated $15 million salary is an absurdity...Cooper is solid at his craft, but numbers don't lie. Even at that, he'll land somewhere because he can.
**By the way, who watches network evening newscasts anymore? Two guys and a woman in Des Moines.
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"Sudden departure"???
ReplyDeleteYou reported that Shandobil is retiring 8 months before it happens, and that's a "sudden departure?" The Who have had three farewell tours that were shorter!
DD: he's been there 32 years. Yes, of course, he's not leaving for another eight months, but I don't think I stepped out of line.
ReplyDeleteSemantics here....by the way, anybody that recognizes the best ball park gog in MLB, is a friend of mine. I'll take 2, musturd/onions only.