Monthly Archive for November, 2008

WOW! This is unexpected, at least, this soon. I had tipsters at WTVJ let me know that it was going to happen soon, but not this soon. NBC6 announced today that 40 year anchor Tony Segreto is retiring form WTVJ at the end of the year.

“Segreto joined WTVJ as an intern in 1968 and grew professionally while carrying out a variety of jobs, first as a photographer, moving on to producer, reporter and sports anchor before being tapped as the main news anchor. Segreto has covered every major national and international sports event, including two Olympics and over seventeen Super Bowls. He has interviewed two United States Presidents, traveled to Cuba for a papal visit, and was a source of critical information while reporting about major weather events, including hurricane Andrew.”

The following is the statement written by Tony Segreto to be shared with colleagues and with his South Florida audience:

“It is with much consideration and a grateful heart that I announce my leaving WTVJ. For four decades it has been a privilege to be a part of such a distinguished and honored organization. WTVJ has given me the opportunity to meet some extraordinary people and cover benchmark stories all over the world, but above all, it has allowed me to serve the South Florida community that I so dearly love.”

 

“My most memorable and rewarding moments have been with the viewers and sharing their stories. I look forward to the future and am very thankful for the past. I have been given the opportunity to move on and explore new ventures and I fully intend to continue to support this community well into the future.”

 

“For forty years WTVJ has been my home away from home and in turn it has treated me like family. As this chapter comes to a close and a new one begins I could not be happier or more at peace, and I wish the same for all my colleagues and friends at WTVJ.”

Am I shocked that he’s leaving before the sale? No. It’s really a smart move on his part. He’s getting out of the black whole known as WTVJ while he still can. At the end of the year, South Florida will loose a very, very great anchor. He has served South Florida well, and will be missed. Best of luck, Tony.

This now leaves that anchor seat open that we’ve been talking about for a few months. My thoughts are Joel Connable will be up for the seat. Joel is a really great talent, but I think it’s too little, too late on WTVJ’s part. We will find out more details in a few days, I’m shooting the e-mails out to find out more. I’ll let you know.