KRON's Last Gasp

How a once-proud San Francisco television station became ground zero in the nation's most controversial experiment in local TV news.

A A A Comments By Ron Russell Wednesday, Apr 12 2006

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Last fall, as the station put the first wave of VJs on the streets, and as contract renewal negotiations with AFTRA languished (they still are), management struck a deal with the IBEW in which its personnel assumed on-air roles as VJs, a clear incursion of AFTRA's turf. And who could blame the IBEW employees? For some, it meant a sizeable raise. AFTRA has a pending grievance before the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the station of unfair labor practices. But in deference to Young Broadcasting's precarious financial condition, the union, after considerable hand-wringing, decided not to stage a walkout.

"If we'd chosen to strike, it would have played straight into the company's hands," says one deflated staffer, convinced that Young management would have merely accelerated the VJ transition. "As it is, people are just trying to hang on, to see how this ultimately plays out, and to survive."

Paolo Vescia

Sports anchor Gary Radnich (right) preps for air during a commercial break.

Paolo Vescia

KRON's bunker-like headquarters on Van Ness Avenue.

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Survival also weighs on management's minds.

Station boss Antonitis, who acknowledges that the personnel changes brought about by the VJ switch have been "gut-wrenching" — and whose company is swimming in red ink — is less than reassuring.

"I'm never going to say the turmoil has completely passed," he says. "There are always going to be other challenges."