Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 14 > Entry
1 in, 1 out at KXAN
The revolving door at Austin’s NBC affiliate continues to spin.
This time around, a new news director is entering the building and a veteran reporter is exiting.
Michael Fabac, currently news director at KLRT, Little Rock’s Fox station, will lead the KXAN news team beginning in early January.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for me,” Fabac said. “I can’t wait to get there. The city obviously is a big draw.”
Fabac, 33, assembled Clear Channel-owned KLRT’s news operation from scratch, launching a nightly 9 p.m. newscast in 2004. Prior to Little Rock, he served as a news director at WNEM in Saginaw, Mich. His first paying TV gig was as a producer at KKTV in Colorado Springs, Colo., followed by stints as a producer at KTVI in St. Louis and WDIV in Detroit. He also served as executive news producer at CBS-owned WWJ and WKBD, both in the Motor City.
“I think Michael will bring a lot of positive energy to the newsroom,” KXAN General Manager Eric Lassberg said. “He comes across as a very passionate leader with a lot of integrity.”
Fabac’s hiring comes at a tumultuous time for the station. KXAN’s previous news director, Bill Seitzler, departed last month after less than a year on the job. Lassberg has been on the job for less than six months. An executive producer position remains open. And a number of familiar faces — avuncular weatherman Dan Robertson, weekend newscaster Julie Shields, and reporters Jim Bergamo and Silva Harapetian — also have disappeared from the station’s newscasts in recent months. Some were forced out; others left by choice.
Next out the door, according to Lassberg, will be longtime reporter R.J. DeSilva. The one-time co-anchor of the station’s morning and weekend newscasts has resigned and will leave later this month to work as a spokesman for a state agency.
Despite the well-publicized turmoil, Lassberg said the news director opening still drew a large number of applicants.
“Magid & Associates, our consultants, told us they had never seen so much interest in a news director position,” Lassberg said. He spoke with 15 hopefuls before inviting three finalists to meet with the station’s news team.
“Everyone’s very excited,” Lassberg said. “When I brought Michael in, I had him spend a lot of time in the newsroom. Everyone really liked his enthusiasm.”
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Local news
Comments
By Austin Rules
December 16, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
There's a blog about this story on an Arkansas TV news website. Here are their comments.
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9824194&postID=116616047460163005
By Shane Deitert
December 16, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
I worked at KXAN a couple of years ago and still miss it.
I right now work at KLRT and Michael Fabac. While it kills me for him to leave I know what he and KXAN will do together.
By the way John Thomas is still there.
By dsavage
December 15, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
clearly KXAN is going through a lot of changes. I think it's hightened because of the relative stability of their on-air talent the last 6-8 years. Now change is coming quickly and at a price evidently. Don't know what the ratings bear out right now in the market, but if KXAN is dropping it would stand to reason that's why.
Popular news director Bruce Whiteaker left as did executive producer John Thomas in 2005. Internal change that drastic and close together often leads to negative effects the viewer sees or perceives.
BUT, alas KXAN fans all is not lost. The station is inheriting what I can say is unequivocally and objectively one of the most innovative young minds in news management. Fabac brings with him a wealth of experience and energy to make great strides in the capital city.
The seas may be rough for a while at KXAN, but give it time.
By mannie
December 15, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this
Shawn Rutherford is the only reason I remain loyal to KXAN. He's natural,friendly,smart, yet modest and he reflects the easy going culture of our city. I hope Austin never loses him! Firstcast sure needs some diversity though. I hope the new management will do something to improve the diversity in KXAN personnel. Seems to be a lot of minority turnover or minorities in lessor roles. Who's next to go, Michelle Valles? Why is it so hard to get a news crew that reflects the soul of Austin, TX?????
By Deborah
December 15, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
Sorry to hear about R.J. DeSilva leaving, I don't think they used him as well as they could have, he has a very storng presence and could or should be lead. I know each time he has a story line, I stop to listen where or what ever I'm doing in my home while listening to the news.
By austinights
December 15, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
Wow....enough already. I suppose there is a major shakeup going down and/or the morale is just pure dismal. Pure speculation on my part, but hopefully there can be some retention in the months ahead and KXAN can be back to its full potential. I suppose in every organization there comes a point of transition. I wish the best to the departed folks and the incoming replacements.
By Ginger
December 15, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
Wah, I sure hate to see RJ DeSilva leave KXAN. He is certainly one of the better reporters. I agree about giggly anchors, particularly when the giggles follow bad news. I can understand having a smile is appealing for a news anchor but the giggles are starting to get on my nerves. Robert Hadlock better not leave or I will start watching News8 exclusively. And I have watched KXAN for over 20 years.
By t nguyen
December 15, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
OMG is right... the revolving door at KXAN has forced me to switch and watch another newscast. I, like most people, like familiar faces when something as important as the news is being told to me. With all the new faces, it is really hard to build and maintain that "trust" factor. Down the road, I may give KXAN a chance, but for now, I'll get my news elsewhere.
By joanne
December 15, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
why all the changes? here are more people than dan robertson that should go. in my opiion, I do not like giggly weather reporter and nes reporters and you sure have a few of those.
make it more professional from now on.
By texirishrose
December 14, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this
OMG!! RJ DeSilva's next?!?! That's it! I'm done with KXAN. Jim Spencer and Robert Hadlock are the only really good ones left, but not enough to keep me.
This forces me to go to KEYE now, unfortunately.