WROC 8 Sportscaster to exit

[dustintv]

RNYN is reporting that Dave Yates will be leaving his position soon.

Dave Yates will soon be leaving WROC/WUHF to become the communications director with the East Irondequoit School District. This will leave the station with only 12 on-air personalities.

I wish him all the best of luck. I suppose they will promote Thad Brown to the position of weekend sports anchor?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

What does that say about a station where people are bailing out on almost a monthly basis?

 

[Mark Giardina]

Dave Yates will soon be leaving WROC/WUHF to become the communications director with the East Irondequoit School District. This will leave the station with only 12 on-air personalities.

If I am not mistaken, hasn't that position (Communications Director with the East Irondequoit School District) been posted several times over the past few years?

I know that at one time I recommened to a former co-worker that he apply for the job and that was back before I left WXXI in 2004.

Anyways good luck to Mr. Yates and I hope he enjoys life outside of the broadcasting world.

As for the comment made about WROC and its shrinking staff, I too wonder how that station can continue to operate with so few people. ???

 

[dustintv]

WIVT in Binghamton has largely been scaling back their newscasts and is on the same road that WWTI and WUTR took by cancelling the news. Perhaps WROC is about to turn down that road...

Best thing that could happen is if they stole a major anchor away from either 10 or 13, but they would need save up a lot of money for that to happen.

 

[Mark Giardina]

WIVT in Binghamton has largely been scaling back their newscasts and is on the same road that WWTI and WUTR took by cancelling the news. Perhaps WROC is about to turn down that road...

Best thing that could happen is if they stole a major anchor away from either 10 or 13, but they would need save up a lot of money for that to happen.

The CBS network isn't about to allow WROC to drop its news especially if Channel 8 wants to remain a network affiliate.

With no disrespect to Binghamton, Rochester is a much larger market, and thus CBS would want a presence here.

If Channel 8 ever dropped their local news, CBS would have to look for another affiliate.

Remember for years Channel 10 was the CBS station in Rochester and considering how NBC 's prime time has slipped in the ratings over the past few years, it would not surprise me if CBS would approach WHEC and made an offer to return to the roost; especially if 8 dumped their local newscasts.

So despite Nexstar’s reputation for having the first dollar it ever made, I can’t imagine them cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

 

[dustintv]

You're right, Binghamton, Utica etc. are much smaller markets. But remember this: CBS owns and operates WWJ in Detroit, and WWJ does not carry any news at all! Same with ABC station KDNL in St. Louis. Both are big three affiliates in major markets and both lack a news department. Someone recently on this board said that these days as long as the networks are making money, they don't really care no matter the performance of the station.

While I don't expect anything to happen within the near future, I wouldn't rule out to see some sort of big shakeup on down the line.

 

[Mark Giardina]

You're right, Binghamton, Utica etc. are much smaller markets. But remember this: CBS owns and operates WWJ in Detroit, and WWJ does not carry any news at all! Same with ABC station KDNL in St. Louis. Both are big three affiliates in major markets and both lack a news department. Someone recently on this board said that these days as long as the networks are making money, they don't really care no matter the performance of the station.

While I don't expect anything to happen within the near future, I wouldn't rule out to see some sort of big shakeup on down the line.

You must remember that Rochester is a conservative town (not politically so much but when it comes to listening and viewing habits) which is why it would be suicide for 8 to pull the plug on their local news operation just to save money.

Again I emphasize the fact that CBS would never tolerate such a move. Years ago, when 8 was still ranked #4 in the Rochester market as reruns of Wonder Woman were beating out 8's six o'clock news, CBS executives tried to lure WHUF away from being a FOX affiliate to air CBS programs. 31 weren’t interested since FOX was doing quite well with The Simpson’s and other shows.

Perhaps Channel 8 might pare down the number of news staff, although I can't imagine them cutting even more staff since the station is running that department at bare-bones right now.