"Hank Plante won't be the last. Others will be going too."
A veteran local broadcast observer told me that after learning of Hank Plante's "retirement" at KPIX, (CBS5) reported here earlier Tuesday.
Plante did indeed retire, but according to at least two independent sources, was offered a generous buyout by the station. Even at that, Plante, who was revered by PIX staffers and others for his solid political reporting, seemed to be at the top of his game.
Unfortunately, this is not just a PIX issue. Its happening all over an industry that is suffering from the current economic climate. Budgets are being slashed and all expenses are under intense scrutiny. That includes quality personnel like on-air talent, anchors, reporters, several of whom have decided to take managements' offer of buyouts as opposed to working the grind.
Locally, just in the past year and a half, several prominent TV/radio personalities have either retired, taken offered buyouts, and/or simply have been dismissed.
Randy Shandobil, Ross McGowan, and Dennis Richmond, of KTVU have all departed. Although Richmond had a four-decade tenure at the Fox aff, (and had health issues,) Shandobil and McGowan, like Plante, were offered buyouts and decided to leave, even though their work seemed polished and still very steady.
After thirty years at KGO Radio, Rosie Allen retired a few months back, but was induced by a six-figure severance. Allen insists she left on good terms, (which I believe,) but perhaps in a better economy, Allen would have stayed on a few more years, ditto McGowan and Shandobil.
Such is the life at newsrooms around the country and here in the Bay Area. Not a pretty picture.
Although revenue from increased car dealer and political ads are on the rise, (significantly,) the red ink still permeates most of the biz.
The question in town is who's next? Uh, just wait.
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I think this is just the sign of the times for many industries beyond journalism. Unless you are of the elite talent caliber and that success and revenue is tied directly to you, then you are vulnerable. We still hear the rumors out there that Couric is out, Anderson is in, etc., and that is for some of the top people out there.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame, really, as the standard out there isn't to want the best but the cheapest.
Are political ads up or is that just Meg Whitman flooding the airwaves because she's got the money to spend?
Still, if Rosie got six figures to "retire" early, good for her. While my career wasn't quite on her level, I can tell you a got a few less digits in my severance after 20 years, as I'm sure most of us did.