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Channel 10: The End of the Beginning ?

T

The Voice of Reason

I borrowed the famous line from Winston Churchill for the title of this post after reading about the latest happenings at Channel 10. If its true, then replacing Mark Gruba with Robin DeWind has to be one of the most a$nine decisions made by 10's management.
Not that women can't be decent sportscasters, but from what I've witnessed over the years, DeWind doesn't seem to possess the skills or background needed to make for a sports anchor. As for Levato, I too agree that he was aggressive when it came to asking questions and refused to accept the standard line from the people he was interviewing; especially politicians. Now to make him some "gardening reporter" to me is just a waste of talent and quite apparent is a demotion; unless of course Levato wanted to ease up on his reporting duties, or figured its better to take what assignment he's given considering that finding other gainful employment in the Rochester media is nill.
Personally I have not been impressed with 10's product in a while. But considering that Channel 8, which for years has embodied mediocrity when it comes to broadcast journalism and the apparent desire to rid itself of talented people, is now tied with
13 at 11pm, goes to show that the once-powerful 10 has slipped considerably.
It is quite apparent that moving Jennifer Johnson to 11pm has not helped 10's ratings. The exodus of some of 10's veteran on-air staff shows that the once stable TV station is showing some cracks in its veneer. As one poster stated, Channel 10 might be ending for the unenviable position of being number 3 in the Rochester TV market. If that's the case, then the once mighty has sure fallen.
 
I saw the Levato comment on a previous board. Levato is not going to be a Home and Garden reporter. He will stay with his current duties. Prompter was just having a little fun.
 
Robin will not be doing "traditional sports" with highlights, scoreboards etc. She will produce feature pieces that involve sports and athletes for the earliershows Brett Stagnitti will do regular sportscasts at 11. ;D
 
SerpicoOne said:
Robin will not be doing "traditional sports" with highlights, scoreboards etc. She will produce feature pieces that involve sports and athletes for the earliershows Brett Stagnitti will do regular sportscasts at 11. ;D
Click to expand...
So what happened to Gruba? And with all the support staff the 10 sports department has, why pick DeWind to produce? My theory is that like Channel 13, 10 has decided to eliminate their medical reporter. Does Elizabeth Harness still do medical stories for 8, or has she been assigned to general reporting since she is the on-air reporter with the most longevity?
 
The Voice of Reason said:
I borrowed the famous line from Winston Churchill for the title of this post after reading about the latest happenings at Channel 10. If its true, then replacing Mark Gruba with Robin DeWind has to be one of the most a$nine decisions made by 10's management.
Not that women can't be decent sportscasters, but from what I've witnessed over the years, DeWind doesn't seem to possess the skills or background needed to make for a sports anchor. As for Levato, I too agree that he was aggressive when it came to asking questions and refused to accept the standard line from the people he was interviewing; especially politicians. Now to make him some "gardening reporter" to me is just a waste of talent and quite apparent is a demotion; unless of course Levato wanted to ease up on his reporting duties, or figured its better to take what assignment he's given considering that finding other gainful employment in the Rochester media is nill.
Personally I have not been impressed with 10's product in a while. But considering that Channel 8, which for years has embodied mediocrity when it comes to broadcast journalism and the apparent desire to rid itself of talented people, is now tied with
13 at 11pm, goes to show that the once-powerful 10 has slipped considerably.
It is quite apparent that moving Jennifer Johnson to 11pm has not helped 10's ratings. The exodus of some of 10's veteran on-air staff shows that the once stable TV station is showing some cracks in its veneer. As one poster stated, Channel 10 might be ending for the unenviable position of being number 3 in the Rochester TV market. If that's the case, then the once mighty has sure fallen.
Click to expand...


As$nine for doing something different? This is the way the industry is headed, things are changing all the time. If people want scores and highlights they get them on-line, cell phone, espn, newspaper etc. I wish the best of luck to Robin in her new role at 10NBC and her skills should transfer nicely with this change... let's all be nice at least give this a chance!
 
As stable as 10 had been in the past, they have had a habit for letting their most established veterans go. I could think of many good on-air personalities that WHEC had let go, Mark Finan, Maggie Brooks, Richard McCullough, Jim Lanson, Donna Dee Dee, etc. 10 at one time had a nice stable product, and now I think we are seeing the end of the dynasty they had. I am a longtime viewer of 10, I could remember far back when they had Mark Wolf, David Nolan, and Gary Nuerenberg (spell check?) had 10 played their cards right, they would not have been second in the ratings to channel 13...even to this day. Now, it looks like they are grasping for anything. I still think their on-air product is much better than 8's. I cannot even pronounce have of 8's reporter's names. Jocolaih? Evan Axle? WTF? I think form this point on, 10 needs to reshuffle their on-air staff, mainly the 6 and 11 newscast, and go from there.
 
SerpicoOne said:
As$nine for doing something different?
Click to expand...
No a$$nine as in putting someone in charge of Channel 10's sports department who has little to no experience in that field. I'm all for giving a person a chance to succeed, but let say that Ms. DeWind falls flat on her face when it comes to her new assignment as Sports Director. What happens to her when her contract comes up for renewal? Remember this is the same station that is infamous for getting rid of women anchors and reporters who reach a certain age and show a few wrinkles or put on a few pounds. Ms. DeWind should perhaps ponder the scenario I just pointed out. This new assignment may not be a promotion but a clever maneuver by 10's management to have a pink slip ready for the future.
 
I'm not exactly clear on what's going on here. I have heard Robin DeWind referred to as "sports director", but Rich Funke is reading off the sports script tonight. Will she be doing the same at some point or are her reports just featured here and there?
 
Jack Allen said:
I'm not exactly clear on what's going on here. I have heard Robin DeWind referred to as "sports director", but Rich Funke is reading off the sports script tonight. Will she be doing the same at some point or are her reports just featured here and there?
Click to expand...
Who knows whats going on over at 10. I'm still waiting to hear why Gruba was let go.
The comment from the news director about "going in a new direction" is just bureaucratic double-speak. Maybe the ND's neck is on the chopping block because 8 and 13 are beating Channel 10's 11pm news.
 
Jack Allen said:
I'm not exactly clear on what's going on here. I have heard Robin DeWind referred to as "sports director", but Rich Funke is reading off the sports script tonight. Will she be doing the same at some point or are her reports just featured here and there?
Click to expand...

If that's the case, they would have been better off with Funke as their sports director.
 
The Voice of Reason said:
Jack Allen said:
I'm not exactly clear on what's going on here. I have heard Robin DeWind referred to as "sports director", but Rich Funke is reading off the sports script tonight. Will she be doing the same at some point or are her reports just featured here and there?
Click to expand...
Who knows whats going on over at 10. I'm still waiting to hear why Gruba was let go.
The comment from the news director about "going in a new direction" is just bureaucratic double-speak. Maybe the ND's neck is on the chopping block because 8 and 13 are beating Channel 10's 11pm news.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but letting the primary sports director go isn't going to beat channel 8 and 13 in the ratings, and the problem at 10 is not their sports, it is the team of Jennifer Johnson and Rich Funke at 11. They need to get a seasoned vet in place of Ms. Johnson, she is not ready to be at the anchor desk with Funke. They should bring in Lynette Adams at 11pm.
 
newscool said:
Jack Allen said:
I'm not exactly clear on what's going on here. I have heard Robin DeWind referred to as "sports director", but Rich Funke is reading off the sports script tonight. Will she be doing the same at some point or are her reports just featured here and there?
Click to expand...

If that's the case, they would have been better off with Funke as their sports director.
Click to expand...

Remember that Gabe Dalmath "retired" from 10, so the station needed a news anchor.
Brian Martin was supposedly Gabe's replacement but, as I understand it, he and management had a disagreement over money, and a short time later Brian was gone.
Therefore management turned to Funke. Funke was a radio news director before joining 10, and is also a known face on Rochester TV.
 
scrgrl23 said:
found this on google:

http://www.mpnnow.com/sports/x1570389938/Not-so-dignified-downsizing

I sure miss Funke, especially with Gruba gone. Robin DeWind- stick to medical field!
Click to expand...

The irony in this is so great. Is this the same Messenger Post Newspaper that are news partners with WHEC? The same ones who now provide a "Finger Lakes Bureau" for News 10NBC out of Canandaigua? For some reason I doubt you will be seeing reference to this article anywhere on WHEC.
 
I really hate the ads they're doing right for 10 where they're talking about how important they are. Ugh.

scrgrl23 said:
from the article:
"To some extent we’re all interchangeable."
Click to expand...

I had forgotten Bill was doing these editorials. And I wouldn't even say "to some extent." As much as I have liked more reporters and anchors that I've worked with than I have disliked, the talent is interchangeable. I guess I don't care about them as much as the information they're imparting.
 
Sxottlan said:
I really hate the ads they're doing right for 10 where they're talking about how important they are. Ugh.
I had forgotten Bill was doing these editorials. And I wouldn't even say "to some extent." As much as I have liked more reporters and anchors that I've worked with than I have disliked, the talent is interchangeable. I guess I don't care about them as much as the information they're imparting.
Click to expand...

Those TV ads are something aren't they? I especially like the one with Jennifer Johnson walking her dog in the park and sitting in the gazebo talking about the importance of connecting with her viewers. With Channel 8 coming on strong against WHEC, one would think Channel 10 would air promos showing their anchors and reporters hard at work; not having a leisurely walk with Fido.
I read Pucko's article about Mark Gruba. It's truly a shame that not only Pucko, but I believe his wife are now out of work. Those of us still employed should count our blessings that we have jobs, even if we work for jerks. It's bad enough to be fired, but escorted out the door by security is humiliating. As for Pucko writing stories for the Messenger Post, that job may not last long. Recently I read that GateHouse Media, the company that purchased Messenger from the Ewing family, has some major financial headaches. Their stock is down to .90 cents a share and the company borrowed big-time to buy newspapers in small to medium-size markets. I wouldn't be surprised if the Post is either sold, or goes out of business in the near future.
 
It's truly a shame that not only Pucko, but I believe his wife are now out of work.

Did you mean Gruba? I thought Pucko was still on RNEWS, in addition to his column for the Messenger Post.
 
rochnewsman said:
It's truly a shame that not only Pucko, but I believe his wife are now out of work.

Did you mean Gruba? I thought Pucko was still on RNEWS, in addition to his column for the Messenger Post.
Click to expand...

Oops...my mistake. I did mean Gruba. I wrote down Pucko's name by accident since he was the one who wrote the column. Sorry about that!
 
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