NORFOLK
Jim Berman, the president and general manager of WVEC-TV, has been fired.
His last day at Channel 13 will be Friday, he said Tuesday night.
“We talked about the future, and the company felt a change needed to be made,” said Berman, who joined the station in August. “And I accept their decision.”
WVEC, an ABC affiliate, is owned by Belo Corp. of Dallas. A spokeswoman for Belo did not return two messages seeking comment Tuesday.
The station, like many others in the industry, has suffered a slump in advertising with the economic downturn. Earlier this month, Berman said WVEC had gone through its third round of layoffs in six months. He declined to say how many people were let go.
In December, Channel 13 dropped a 17-year-old weekly news talk show, “On the Record,” hosted by former TV reporter Joel Rubin.
WVEC generally has fallen in the middle of the pack in news ratings, below the regional leader, WAVY (Channel 10), and above WTKR (Channel 3).
Amid the cuts, Berman said, “We’ve laid the groundwork for success. I predict big things coming for WVEC in the future.”
He praised Belo and his colleagues at Channel 13: “WVEC is a terrific TV station. Some of the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with are right here.”
Berman, 49, declined to comment on his plans. He has more than 25 years of experience in the TV industry and worked as general manager for stations in Harrisburg, Pa.; Savannah, Ga., and Elmira, N.Y.
At WVEC, he succeeded Nick Nicholson, who moved to Phoenix.
Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com
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sorry
I just can't watch wvec, sorry.
Not the 80's anymore
I miss Cynthia Lima. Such a hottie. I wonder if she hit the wall yet?
local news isn't so bad
I've lived in a few different towns around the U.S. and this market is very well served by its news media, and I mean print, broadcast, and online. I have no trouble finding out what is going on around here, and I actually want to know about it when someone is murdered.
Yes I have complaints and yes I see areas where things need to improve, but I cannot agree with many of the dismissive comments on here.
This is a tough time for a lot of industries, especially those which depend on advertising. The newspaper, you may have heard, has had its share of layoffs as well. No surprise TV stations are getting hit too. Things will improve, and thank goodness for it because these companies are good for the community and are economic engines which help other businesses grow with advertising, so lighten up on the news media. They are important, and things could be a lot worse.
Local TV News.....
...has been reduced to only being the Police Blotter. Why they think that reporting every murder, robbery and break in and car wreck in all of Hampton Roads constitutes the NEWS is beyond me. It's boring and non informative and repetitive. I'm surprised it's continued this long.
Permanent Downsizing
I worked in TV for 11 years, and am glad I went back to school and became a programmer. I worked with Jeff Lawson in Richmond. He was liked and respected by everybody at the station.
I feel sorry for the station manager and the others who lost their jobs. I recommend they go back to school or retrain for careers in another field, because the competition from cable and the internet may make the downsizing permanent.
WVEC has the best news
WVEC has the best news coverage in Hampton Roads, but that's not saying much. TV news, as a rule, is terrible, and our local news is below the standard of many other cities.
Max Headroom + Twitter =
Max Headroom + Twitter = News Anchor of the Future.
No denying the people at VEC
The people at WVEC are what make the place run. They are the heart beat and hard workers that bring it all together. Not just those in front of the camera but those behind the scenes as well. The issue is that Mr. Berman was the "fall-guy" for a corporation that has been mistreating people for several years. Their health care benefits are an insult and while they have been cutting benefits and personnel their President last year received a $300,000. raise for cutting the bottom line. An organization is only as good as the way they treat their people. BELO is just as bad as ENRON, or any other organization who puts the very people last who get them the awards and keep them on the air, and rewards their execs for "axing" those who really deserve the fruits of the rewards. $300,000.00 would have saved an awful lot of jobs. It's a shame about Mr. Berman, but he has become a casualty himself of the very system that asked him to do what they have just done. Welcome to "Bottom Line" ethics.
Clean House
Jeff Lawson, the "chief weatherman" should go as well. Maybe the next GM will get rid of him.
Your Opinion-My Opinion
Jeff Lawson is the most credentialed AMS meteorologist in the local tv market.
Duirng the recent tornado outbreak a few weeks ago, his counterparts at other stations were using rainfall radar data tor try and show where the tornado was forming. Problem is you can't. He was the only one showing the actual tornado by using wind field data from the radar. Granted, it was his first time but still "Superior".
Jeff, might not be the best looking or friendliest guy, but I'll take that over 10's excuse and 3's attempt.
He should be making much more than the anchors. Lives depend on it.
They always fire the wrong people in these shakeups...
In opinion they have the best weather personnel (- Stewart) and sports, but one of the anchors needs to brushup on her grammar skills...it drives me crazy.
WVEC must let go....
Of the anchor lady at 6:00PM 'cause I have a hard time understanding her news delivery. Sounds like words are coming out of her nose and when she read the news, she never use the proper way of reading. At the end she says "night," instead of good night. I used to watch WTKR, however, when all the hypes about Barbara Ciarra coming to WTKR, I lose the motivation. Channel 10, the anchor lady is always looking at herself on the monitor to see if she looks good, They ought to see WGN news, ABC News Tonight, perhaps, maybe they can pickup something worthy. WVEC should have Sula Kim, Lindsey Roberts, Velma Scaif, Shannon Sims, and Vanessa Coria. David Alan is all right and keep the entire weather team intact, and bring back Joe's Job.
While they're at it....
"They do a segment reminiscent of "Joe's Job" every morning with Blaine Stewart. It's fun and heartwarming. A nice departure from blood and guts in the morning."
Someone said Dr. Duane wasn't renewed, and some people are different off camera. So, take Joe Flanagan with you. What an obnoxious fellow off the camera!
I've
noticed that WVEC has gotten into referring people to their website on almost every story. I don't like to hear a small mention of the story and then the anchors say, "you can see more on this story on our webpage at wvec.com and click on the headline" or whatever...I know it's a sign of the times..but they used to didn't do that nearly as much. Their website is going to drive veiwers away from their program if they keep that up. Just my .02
Each round of layoffs cuts
Each round of layoffs cuts about 5 people, some who have been there many years. Just a sign of the economy, not necessarily the station itself.
Although I do agree with other posters who suggested they bring back more fun and lighthearted segments, like Joe's Job. Between the murder and robbery stories, there needs to be something to shift the mood and lift people's spirits.
Watch Channel 3
They do a segment reminiscent of "Joe's Job" every morning with Blaine Stewart. It's fun and heartwarming. A nice departure from blood and guts in the morning.
Go Blaine!
Thanks thebig22 aka Blaine Stewart for your insight. Way to give yourself a plug. We'll all be sure to watch your amazing Taking Action Army stories. Keep up the amazing dancing... you tv news pioneer.
Morons
Factual information from twitter and the other loons on the internet? I doubt it. These clowns post anything they want true or not and it's scary that a lot of people reading this trash believe it.
ALL LOCAL NEWS STINKS
Nuff' said.
Not a news story
I feel for the guy but this is not a news story. There are lots of people who have been laid off. This story is just about one media source focusing attention on another media source to try to give the illusion that either media source matters.....they don't.