Posted by chicagomedia.org on November 17, 2009 at 22:04:58:
In Reply to: Anna Davlantes Joins Fox Chicago News posted by chicagomedia.org on November 17, 2009 at 21:02:28:
Anna Davlantes, who bolted WMAQ-Ch. 5 this summer after nine years, has joined WFLD-Ch. 32 as a contributing anchor and reporter for the Fox-owned station's 9 p.m. news.
Davlantes left Channel 5 on July 30, having failed to agree on a contract renewal. Until Nov. 1, she was prohibited from negotiating with anyone else. Although she remained tight-lipped about her destination, she never wavered in her belief she would land somewhere as soon as she was allowed.
Her Channel 32 debut is set for Monday, two days before the end of the November ratings period.
WFLD Vice President and General Manager Mike Renda, who has indicated his long-term goal is to launch a late afternoon-early evening newscast, said in an interview three weeks ago that improving the performance of Channel 32's 9 p.m. newscast fronted by Jeff Goldblatt and Robin Robinson was his first priority. To date, WFLD has not really found a way to capitalize on the success of Fox prime-time lead-ins such as the mega-hit "American Idol."
At that time, Renda insisted -- even when pressed repeatedly -- WFLD wouldn't have "any changes on the talent front" on the horizon. Asked if he was happy with the group he had, he said, "That's not something I'm concerned about."
Davlantes grew up in Chicago and earned degrees from Lane Tech and Northwestern University. After beginning her broadcast career at Chicago public television station WTTW-Ch. 11, she spent three years at Fox-owned KRIV in Houston before Channel 5 bosses Larry Wert and Frank Whittaker brought her back home.
Shortly after her WMAQ exit, she said she was looking for opportunities to grow. “It was time for me to move on, and I have some exciting things I’d like to be able to talk about, explaining where I might land,” Davlantes said.
Renda sees opportunity as well. "I'd love to think we can become the preferred station in Chicago and that's what we're going to work on," he said. "News is the thing that you lead with."
(Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)