Fernandez out at WSNS

Eduardo Fernandez is no longer VP and general manager at WSNS-44, the Telemundo O&O in Chicago. The network's spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times the GM's contract was up for renewal and it was mutually agreed to part ways. However, the paper suggests Eduardo's departure is linked to Ron Gordon's promotion to the presidency of the Telemundo Station Group.

According to a story in the Sun-Times, Eduardo was a well-liked member of the Chicago broadcast community. He joined WSNS as general manager in 2003. He previously worked in Grand Rapids, as VP and GM of Fox-owned WXMI-17.

Estrella's expansion continues

Liberman Broadcasting's new Spanish-language network just scored another affiliate. Estrella TV has cleared in Albuquerque, through KOAT-TV. The agreement with the Hearst station, which is an ABC affiliate, will clear the network's programming on its digital channels in Albuquerque, Carlsbad (KOCT-TV) and Silver City, N.M. (KOVT-TV).

Estrella TV is scheduled to launch in mid-August.

Corona suing KPRC

Wendy Corona is suing KPRC for breach of contract and defamation. She was laid off from her 4 and 6 pm anchor job in early January. Back then, the news director said her departure "was an economic decision."

According to the recently filed lawsuit, Wendy signed a 4 year contract in 2006, which allowed for her dismissal after the first 2 years as long as she received a 90-day written notice. Her attorney is saying the company dishonored her contract. The Houston Press reports Wendy is seeking damages for lost wages, benefits and damage to her reputation.

TV and radio salaries suffer drop

With all the layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts, it's no suprise that broadcast salaries have taken a dive. In 2008, TV news salaries fell 4.4 %. Radio news salaries dropped 1.8 %. But... if you add the rate of inflation, real wages fell by 8.2 % for TV and 5.6 % for radio news. It's the first time in 15 years that the average salaries dropped for both TV and radio news.

Every year professor Bob Papper, from Hofstra University and the RTNDA conduct an annual study on employment and salaries. This year's results show that on-air jobs were the hardest hit by salary reductions.

Papper expects layoffs to slow down, but salaries to continue to drop. He expects "higher priced people" retiring, getting laid off or taking salary cuts. But he's optimistic there will be a turnaround towards the end of this year and into 2010.

You can read more details of the study on the RTNDA Web site.

More stations go the pool route

Now it's the NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates in Grand Rapids that are teaming up to share video. Starting July 13, news directors or assignment editors will decide which events will be covered by the pool and the footage will be shared with all three stations.

According to a story on the Battle Creek Inquirer, the stations will take turns on sending their photographers to do the pool work.

Additional anchor duties for Arias

Erika Arias is WTIC's new 10 pm anchor. She will continue to anchor the station's 11 pm newscast - a job she landed in September of 2008.

Prior to joining the Fox 61 news team in Hartford, she spent 2 years at WFSB-3 as a weekend anchor and reporter.

She previously worked in Providence, Las Vegas, and freelanced for Fox News in Los Angeles.

Gratitude

I want to thank all my friends and colleagues who have sent me an outpouring of support and words of encouragement upon hearing of my father's passing.

The past 9 months have been very difficult, as I spent 12 hour days at the hospital and many more countless hours helping my father try to recuperate from his ailments, once back home. During some of those hospital stays my blogging was a little spotty, but I tried to keep it going as much as I could. I was so overwhelmed with the loss of my father, I just simply could not even attempt it after his death.

I have landed back in Los Angeles just hours ago, after 2 weeks in Argentina, where my father lived and passed away. I know I have missed sharing a lot of news with you in the past couple of weeks, but I will resume my blogging with full force starting tomorrow.

Thanks again for your past, present and hopefully, future support of my blog.