Longtime WDIV-TV broadcasters Smilovitz, Meloni, MacDonald may be taking buyouts

Update:WDIV-TV confirms MacDonald, Smilovitz, Meloni, Tutman to take buyouts, leave in July

Detroit station WDIV-TV (Channel 4) is reportedly offering buyouts to its on-air news talent, including "Weekend at Bernie's" sportscaster Bernie Smilovitz, according to a couple of online reports using unnamed sources.

WDIV General Manager Bob Ellis did not directly confirm the reports, but told the Free Press in an email Wednesday that the station began offering in March a "voluntary retirement incentive program," what he called a "thoughtful pathway for our long-serving colleagues nearing retirement."

Ellis added: "As you no doubt understand, we do not comment on station personnel matters," but implied that changes were imminent by saying that "in the weeks ahead, we will celebrate with our viewers those who determine this is the right opportunity for them."

News of specific buyouts were reported by Deadline Detroit, which said that a "person familiar with the situation" confirmed that in addition to Smilovitz, reporters Rod Meloni and Mara MacDonald also plan to accept the deal.

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The news outlet called the change a "shakeup;" however, it acknowledged it was unable to confirm the buyout deals directly with Smilovitz, Meloni, MacDonald — all long-time WDIV employees — or with Ellis, who Deadline Detroit said, did not respond to a call or email.

TVLive, another online news outlet, also has reported that buyouts were coming. The station, it said, is offering packages to employees. It set minimum eligibility at 25 years of service and 55 years old. The deal, TVLive said, includes 18 months' pay, extended benefit packages and a year of health insurance.

All three rumored to be exiting are familiar faces, but Smilovitz is probably the best known.

The Jewish News has called Smilovitz a "go-to source for news about Detroit’s franchise sports teams and other professional sports," and Detroiters recognize the sportscaster from his lighthearted "Weekend at Bernie’s" and "Bernie’s Bloopers" segments.

A Brooklyn native, Smilovitz grew up in Washington, D.C., and he is a University of Michigan graduate. He has won several local Emmys and Best Sportscaster Awards. But last year, his wife of 38 years, Donna Rockwell, died suddenly.

More:Mitch Albom: Donna died here, as others died elsewhere, but her voice and influence go on

He wrote a heartfelt column about his loss, calling that week the worst of his life.

In the column, he said he wrestled with returning to work, but also called WDIV his family, and added that when he asked himself what his wife would do, she knew "you had to live every day like it was your last."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.