Tom Lindner is leaving Gannett's NBC affiliate in Minneapolis after 15 years as news director, the station announced today.
In a story on its website, KARE suggested Lindner's departure was amicable. General Manager John Remes was quoted saying: "Tom has been leader of the best newsroom in the country and is leaving us in great shape to continue providing the news and information that our market expects from us. He will be missed."
But Lindner, in an interview with the Star Tribune, said the departure was not his decision. "I was simply told that they wanted a change," he told the newspaper, which headlined his exit a "local news shocker."
Lindner told his Twitter followers: "Change has come my way KARE today, gone tomorrow Time to grow anew."
Remes told the paper that the decision was made in-house, and did not come from Corporate. "He would not go into details, but said he and Lindner had been discussing a change for a while,'' the Star Tribune says.
Remes said that he didn't have a firm timetable for naming a replacement, but that he plans to move "swiftly and smartly as I can," he told the paper. The newscast's managing editor, Jane Helmke, will serve as interim news director.
Lindner had been with KARE since 1992.
Earlier: WKYC newscaster and meteorologist let go.
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| Lindner |
But Lindner, in an interview with the Star Tribune, said the departure was not his decision. "I was simply told that they wanted a change," he told the newspaper, which headlined his exit a "local news shocker."
Lindner told his Twitter followers: "Change has come my way KARE today, gone tomorrow Time to grow anew."
Remes told the paper that the decision was made in-house, and did not come from Corporate. "He would not go into details, but said he and Lindner had been discussing a change for a while,'' the Star Tribune says.
Remes said that he didn't have a firm timetable for naming a replacement, but that he plans to move "swiftly and smartly as I can," he told the paper. The newscast's managing editor, Jane Helmke, will serve as interim news director.
Lindner had been with KARE since 1992.
Earlier: WKYC newscaster and meteorologist let go.
There's got to be another story here. For 15 years, Lindner kept the station as the lead in news in the area, so he was a winner. Why screw with success -- unless, of course, you are Gannett. Someone was jealous Lindner got all the credit.
ReplyDeleteActually, Lindner should get some of the blame, too. While KARE topped some local ratings lists, only recently has their newsroom made any changes and those changes were staff departures who didn't want to work in their unstable environment. TV news still makes money for Gannett, so they're most likely going to try and maintain some of the market share the station has been bleeding away under Lindner.
ReplyDeleteWhy was it necessary to include a graf in this saying corporate had nothing to do with it. Corporate would not routinely get involved with any personnel decisions on the level of local news director. It just raises the question whether there was outside pressure.
ReplyDeleteNot true, 9:47. Corporate - in the form of the Broadcast President, and the VP/News would absolutely be involved in that kind of change. They keep the stations on a short string.
ReplyDeleteWhat he said.
ReplyDeleteInteresting they actually got this on the air last night
ReplyDeletehttp://bcove.me/8qth2f15
Oh my goodness, 8:32 a.m., what a touching clip! How refreshing that he went out with such class, although it was sad to see, as well.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said... WESTCHESTER SITE IT IS TIME FOR CORPORATE TO SHOWCASE TONY SIMMONS AS THE NEW HEIR APPARENT PRESIDENT AND PUBILHER ARE G.M OF SITE.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I still can't figure out this Lindner thing. Seven Emmys and leading local news in the ratings for 15 years, plus apparent support from the staff. And so he had to go?
ReplyDelete3:45...That's what happens when you fight against the wishes of corporate. He fought their change until it got him fired. Many TV people respect him for standing up to "the man", but it was costly!
ReplyDelete