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By MICHAEL WHITE
WTKR News Channel 3 reporter and former anchor Pat McReynolds was fired from the station Wednesday.
WTKR’s General Manager Jeff Hoffman declined to comment further, though he said he and the station wished him well in his professional future.
McReynolds joined the CBS affiliate from Seattle’s KING TV in spring of 2006, and was demoted from evening anchor to reporter in November 2008 during station-wide restructuring. During McReynold’s time at WTKR the station switched general managers twice and news directors three times.
“I’m very disappointed,” McReynolds said, “I had hoped to continue to work at News Channel 3, but I was not given that option. Quite frankly, this took me by surprise and I’m still trying to figure out why management thought this decision was necessary. But I’m confident I’ll be fine and something even better will come around the corner.”
His former co-anchor, Barbara Ciara, also wished him well, however was out of the office the day of McReynolds’ leave and could not comment on the situation.
McReynolds is married to Allyson Blair, a producer and morning reporter at WAVY-TV 10.
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WTKR
It doesn't matter to me who leaves WTKR anymore. They've had such a revolving door for so many years, I can't even keep up. All the changes made my head spin. I couldn't concentrate on what they were reporting. That's why I prefer 13 or 10. At least I feel like I know the person delivering the news.
BARBARA CIARA NEEDS TO GO!
I was glad when they reshuffled the deck last year at WTKR, but I don't understand why they haven't fired Barbara Ciara or bought out the rest of her contract. It seems like they have blinders on when it comes to her. I don't know what was going on behind the scenes for them to get rid of Pat McReynolds, but I personally never liked him, but I would think that Ciara, Blaine Stewart, and a few others would have been gone before him.
Also WTKR is never going to get back to #1 without a sports anchor on all evening newscasts. Ted Alexander is very personable and should be the full-time Sports Director anchoring 5 nights a week with another sports anchor to cover the over 2 nights.
Please get rid of Barbara Ciara once and for all! Thanks for the company! Vomit!
why?
why pick on barbara and blaine? i like them. they actually have personality. i'd watch them any day compared to some of the stiffs on the other channels.
I agree with many here...
Barbara Ciara has not helped WTKR at all. Her reporting stinks, she is not genuine in any of her charity appearances. There is a reason why she is no longer in teh big leagues. Please do not renew her contract! I like Kurt, Bianca, and the rest of the team - she is holding them back.
Please!
Why do people have to be so hateful!? So you don't like a certain channels newcast, why do you have to call them ugly as sin. It's disgusting. I personally prefer Channel 13. Channel 10 isn't bad, but it is all about preference.
Contracts
The reason why Barbara Ciara is still with Channel 3 is the type of contract she signed. The management at 3 is properly waiting for her contract to expire. When the contract does expire the management at Channel 3 is not obligated to renew it. She properly has a "Non-compete" clause in her contract. Ms. Ciara is consisted as the highest paid minority talent in this area. Time will tell!
News Channel 3
Why do these people say that Barbara Ciara should have been let go instead of McReynolds? We don't know what goes on behind the scenes and in the studio. All we see is how they report the news in front of the cameras. I am sure there are a lot of things we don't have a clue about. So how can we judge who goes or who stays? People need to stop being so judgmental if they don't know all the facts. Besides the basic credentials and qualificiations for a news person, they seem to go by looks and personality. They are all competing for ratings and that's it!!!!!!!
FACTS
1) On the surface, what happened to Pat McReynolds is horrible. However, we do not know the particulars, likely never will. Still, I wish Pat and his family the best.
2) WTKR is run by a station manager and news director with decades of television experience. Further, the station manager is one of only a few in the country who started in the news department. Most are bean counters who come from a sales background.
3) As evidence of the leadership the station now has, WTKR is the only station in this area to see ratings growth in each newscast. #1 newscast at noon, #2 at 11pm. All the while, WVEC, the so called "Local News Leader" doesn't even win one single newscast. Their numbers continue to decline.
4) WTKR is the only major affiliate in this area that has not seen layoffs or furloughs. You can argue Mr. McReynolds' departure was a "forced layoff", but unlike other stations, there are no hiring freezes at WTKR. So, the station, unlike many others, is making money.
5) Les Smith was not fired from WTKR. Hr left on his own. Days before his sudden departure, he sent an email to the staff saying what a pleasure it was to work at WTKR. Then he vanished, and 12 steps later,
Pat
Good luck Pat. I'm sure it was a tough decision to leave KING and come to a station like TKR but I understand your desire to get on the anchor desk as a main anchor. Sadly WTKR isn't interested in longevity or talent, only filling space between commercials. I'm sure you'll land on feet but broadcasting ain't what it used to be.
Time to possibly shift gears.
Best!
McReynolds never fit in
I never warmed to Pat McReynolds, and his reporting had a muckraking, sensational tone. Maybe he can go back to Seattle. Channel 3 news seems to have taken a turn for the better, despite the influx of small-market "talent" who still can't say Norfolk correctly. Too bad their hi-def signal is spotty.