Re: Likely Chicago TV News Anchor Changes

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: : BY ROBERT FEDER Sun-Times Columnist : : Has there ever been a time when so many television jobs were up for grabs? : : Here's an alphabetical guide to the shifting fates and fortunes of Chicago news anchors in play: : : * * The handwriting is on the wall for Diann Burns, who's in the final months of a five-year contract reportedly worth $10 million. : : In luring Burns from top-rated ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 and signing her to what probably was the most lucrative local TV news deal ever, WBBM-Channel 2 boss Joe Ahern bet the ranch that she would substantially boost ratings for the CBS-owned station. : : He lost the bet. : : Although Burns' contract runs through October, insiders say a change in the 10 p.m. anchor lineup could come as early as June, when Channel 2 unveils its brand new studios in the Loop. : : In the meantime, Burns' agent/husband, Marc Watts, is busy shopping his No. 1 client. : : : : : * * Anna Davlantes, who's been an underrated star as weekend news anchor at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, could emerge later this year with a new deal worthy of her talent and glamor -- if she and her agents play their cards right. : : : : : * * On Monday, Rob Elgas steps up to succeed Dick Johnson as weekday morning news anchor at Channel 5. Station bosses are hoping Elgas' chemistry with co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin ignites viewers' interest. : : In any case, the promotion creates a vacancy on Channel 5's weekend morning anchor desk, which Elgas had been sharing with Ellee Pai Hong. : : : : : * * Patrick Elwood, morning and noon news anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, has toiled in the shadows of some higher profile personalities at the station. He could be poised to make a move out of the shadows. : : : : : * * Allison Payne was hoping she'd bounce back from a series of ministrokes and resume her duties last month as 9 p.m. news anchor at WGN-Channel 9. : : Unfortunately, she's still off the air with no word from her or the Tribune Co.-owned station on when she'll be back alongside longtime partner Steve Sanders. : : A "Get Well Allison" message board on Channel 9's Web site at www.wgntv.com elicited more than 350 wishes in its first few days online. Add ours too. : : : : : * * The tragic death of Randy Salerno last January in a snowmobile accident cost Channel 2 its morning news anchor and left a void yet to be filled. : : : : : * * Whispers about when Warner Saunders will retire as Channel 5's top news anchor are getting louder around newsroom water coolers. So far, Saunders isn't among those talking. : : But at 73 years old, the guy's been at it since Allison Rosati was in diapers. You do the math. : : : : : * * Until last month, Anne State was unknown to Chicagoans as a second-tier news anchor in San Diego, the No. 27 media market. : : But starting April 21, she'll bump Burns from Channel 2's 5 p.m. newscast and try her luck alongside Rob Johnson. : : Her hiring further repudiates Ahern's failed strategy to build Channel 2 around known names. : : : : : * * Since last week, all eyes have been on Mark Suppelsa, the golden boy of local television news, who stunned the market by rejecting a renewal offer as 9 p.m. news anchor at Channel 32. : : His departure left a huge opening at the Fox station and an opportunity for David Novarro. : : More important, it set off a lively guessing game about where Suppelsa will land after the 90-day "right to match" clause in his contract lapses. : : : Can't see Diann leave fast enough, Buh-Bye! : : * * Jim Williams is more than just a weekend news anchor at Channel 2. Since the departure of Antonio Mora and the death of Salerno, he's Channel 2's only backup anchor to Rob Johnson. : : That should give Williams a leg up when it comes time to renegotiate later this year.

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