Longstanding news director resigns from CW33
08/31/07 06:58 AM
By ED BARK
Nine years after launching Ch. 33's prime-time newscast, news director Anthony Maisel is opting to leave the building.
"Never bury the lead," Maisel said in a memo to station staffers before telling them he's resigning. His last day will be Sept. 21st.
"I'm leaving because it is time, and there are no other reasons," Maisel told unclebarky.com Thursday.
The Tribune Company currently owns the now CW33 and 25 other TV stations. But speculation abounds that news departments will be terminated at some of those stations after Chicago-based billionaire Sam Zell's purchase of the media giant is finalized sometime this fall. Zell plans to take his new company private. Tribune currently is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
CW33's 9 p.m. news averaged 40,460 D-FW homes per weeknight during the May "sweeps" ratings period, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Maisel said he has no idea whether CW33's news operation has a longterm future. The station's original half-hour WB33 News At Nine debuted in 1998, with Maisel hiring its entire startup staff.
"I still have 15 people here from then," he said.
In his memo, Maisel said that he and his wife, Robin, "discussed this at length and finally realized this decision is the best one for me and my family. I have not decided what my next career will be, but I have a couple of options."
Maisel praised the CW33 news staff as devoted and loyal to both the station and their families.
"I love the news," he said. "But more importantly, I deeply care for all of you and the team we have built," he said.
The 9 p.m. newscast's executive producer, Mark Shepherd, will be in charge of news operations after he leaves, Maisel said.
Nine years after launching Ch. 33's prime-time newscast, news director Anthony Maisel is opting to leave the building.
"Never bury the lead," Maisel said in a memo to station staffers before telling them he's resigning. His last day will be Sept. 21st.
"I'm leaving because it is time, and there are no other reasons," Maisel told unclebarky.com Thursday.
The Tribune Company currently owns the now CW33 and 25 other TV stations. But speculation abounds that news departments will be terminated at some of those stations after Chicago-based billionaire Sam Zell's purchase of the media giant is finalized sometime this fall. Zell plans to take his new company private. Tribune currently is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
CW33's 9 p.m. news averaged 40,460 D-FW homes per weeknight during the May "sweeps" ratings period, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Maisel said he has no idea whether CW33's news operation has a longterm future. The station's original half-hour WB33 News At Nine debuted in 1998, with Maisel hiring its entire startup staff.
"I still have 15 people here from then," he said.
In his memo, Maisel said that he and his wife, Robin, "discussed this at length and finally realized this decision is the best one for me and my family. I have not decided what my next career will be, but I have a couple of options."
Maisel praised the CW33 news staff as devoted and loyal to both the station and their families.
"I love the news," he said. "But more importantly, I deeply care for all of you and the team we have built," he said.
The 9 p.m. newscast's executive producer, Mark Shepherd, will be in charge of news operations after he leaves, Maisel said.