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Post by BTVNadmin on Feb 6, 2009 21:47:22 GMT -5
See front page of BTVN.net for more. Full details still unclear but we'll be hearing from Randy soon. I cannot answer further questions at this time. More soon.
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Post by BTVNRob on Feb 6, 2009 21:49:31 GMT -5
A very sad day for sure...
Details as we get them.
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Post by BTVNadmin on Feb 6, 2009 22:17:52 GMT -5
A source speaking on condition of anonymity tells BTVN:
“As Randy saw 7NEWS slipping away in the ratings, he stood up for what’s right in journalism. And usually, that angered Linda Miele, the station's News Director. He saw WBZ’s success at being smart, not sensational. He pushed for similar content and smarter presentation at 7NEWS. He knew his viewers weren't idiots. I don’t know if that’s the reason for his departure, but it certainly did not help his case.”
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Post by fluffernutter523 on Feb 6, 2009 22:35:55 GMT -5
This is a shame, a sad day in Boston news. I hope he lands on his feet, he is one of the last news legends in Boston left. I hope he gets rehired by either 4 or 5, better yet let 5 hire him and take Ed's spot. I always liked Randy but always thought he was too good for 7.
Be sure to see the ratings at 7 plummet.
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Post by BTVNadmin on Feb 6, 2009 23:18:56 GMT -5
I can now confirm that the move was made by mutual consent.
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Post by waianae on Feb 7, 2009 1:36:34 GMT -5
What a shame - Randy was a class act and will be missed.
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Post by newsie007 on Feb 7, 2009 1:51:01 GMT -5
Darth Ansin loses another one. Good luck Randy.
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Post by justplainmak on Feb 7, 2009 11:50:49 GMT -5
Wow, sad to hear this, I wish Randy all the best.
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Post by patsx3 on Feb 7, 2009 11:51:27 GMT -5
Minus a handful of reporters, 7 just isn't worth watching anymore. The deduction of Randy completes their transformation into a small market caliber station.
I'm curious to find out where Randy ends up next. There's no obvious opening out there, atleast not that I can see.
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Post by seeveebee on Feb 7, 2009 12:40:51 GMT -5
First of all I think Randy is THE best, and MAYBE the only News Anchor who really makes a big difference ratings wise in the Market. That said...
This definitely looks like a Firing to me. Read Randy's own words in the on-line account at Boston.com on his "conversation" with Ansin:
>>>"He's a guy I have been loyal to and dedicated to for a dozen years. When he says to me, we need to move in different directions, I respect that,'' said Price who helped WHDH dominate the 11 p.m. news in ratings in recent years. In the past year, the station has fallen to third place at 11.<<<
Thats about as clear as can be. ANSIN said "we have to move in different directions".
I assume--can any insiders confirm?--that Randy had annual "windows" in his deal through 2012 where the station could cut him loose. Anyone know if thats the case. I can NOT imagine Ansin eating 3 years of a deal. And I can't imagine Randy leaving 3 years of pay on the table.
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Post by person on Feb 7, 2009 16:45:48 GMT -5
All TV people have annual windows in their contracts... it's like a 24 hour period once a year that the station can get rid of you.
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Post by jdemeo6898 on Feb 7, 2009 18:34:20 GMT -5
Long time reader... first time writer.
I used to be a fan of 7 News but now I'm officially done. It's a sad day for tv news. I don't see anyone at 7 to help boost ratings.
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Post by seeveebee on Feb 7, 2009 20:40:58 GMT -5
Yes, Person, getting back to my original post--most Anchors have Annual Windows, usually a very short period when you can be tossed out the window for no cause, voiding the rest of the contract.
At the same time, the Anchors often have windows when THEY can get out of the deal if THEY chose. But it seems in recent years, the "windows" are usually for Managent only.,
Looks to me like Randy got tossed out the window by 7 Management/Ownership --but of course Randy is dealing with this publicly with 100% Class, just as he deals with everything else. The man is a pro and he is admired big time in this market.
As for the "mutual decision" here. I think if you define management saying "Randy we thing you should leave" and Randy saying "Yes, I'm pretty sick of the way we do things around here, I agree its time for me to leave".....then YES this is mutual.....................
Here's the Toxic Formula for those of you who are shocked. You should not be:
Randy's Big Money Contract + NBC's lousy Ratings + 11 Pm 3rd place WHDH Ratings + the greatest Ad Depression in TV History= whoever is making the big money is OUT--PERIOD. I don't care WHO it is in the Anchor Chair. ...very unfortunate. Randy is the victim of circumstances and may very well be remembered as the very last Boston Anchor who was a major player EVER. The end of an era.
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Post by Roger TV on Feb 7, 2009 21:32:44 GMT -5
Randy is indeed a class act. I remember him from WBZ Sunday AM's and 7:30 Report years ago, and thought he was one of the best anchors at WBZ.
I will miss him greatly at WHDH.
The comment above about one of the last anchors EVER in Boston makes me wonder how long Jack Williams has left, and the ones with BIG salaries makes me wonder about Mike Lynch and Susan Wornick as well.
Hopefully Randy will be able to stay in Boston.
ALL the best, Randy!
;)
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Post by chrisnh on Feb 7, 2009 22:45:33 GMT -5
My first reaction was, 'Cue the discrimination lawsuit.' But it appears as though this was mutually agreed. In the end, faced with plummeting ratings and a high salary in an industry that can't afford them, Randy probably had no plausible recourse but to agree.
Having said that, though, do I think some discrimination lawyer could sidle up to Randy and whisper, 'Hey, Randy...I think we got a winner here...' ? Absolutely. I'd like a nickel for every 'wronged' TV anchor or reporter who launched a discrimination lawsuit. It's what they all seem to do. Hello Mike Macklin. Hello Barry Nolan. Hello. Hello. Hello.
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