Reporter at WFLA-Ch. 8 to sign off after 17 years

By ERIC DEGGANS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2000

One thing Steve Overton wants to make clear: There are no sour grapes here.

Still, Overton plans to soon cap 17 years at WFLA-Ch. 8, leaving his job as top reporter in the Eight on Your Side consumer unit to work as an investment broker.

"I could have stayed (at WFLA) forever and gotten a raise every year . . . my place was secure," said the 41-year-old, who plans to start training at PaineWebber in Tampa in September. "I just want something new. And when you absolutely know a change is right, you have no doubts."

Overton joins a growing list of on-air talent at WFLA with lengthy tenures who have left the station or seen their on-screen roles reduced during the past year, including Rob North, Diane Roberts, David Grant, Irene Maher and Dick Crippen.

The result is a changing of the guard at top-rated WFLA, which notched some of the best ratings in the station's recent history during the May "sweeps" ratings period.

"We're losing some of our old timers, and I'm sad to see them go," said Dan Bradley, vice president of news at WFLA, who has worked more than 20 years at the station. "At least, I've been blessed with the opportunity to fill their positions with other strong journalists."

Top anchors Bob Hite and Gayle Sierens each have more than two decades' tenure at WFLA, creating an unusually stable -- some might say static -- lineup of reporters and anchors.

"Frankly, it's out of sync with industry norms," Bradley added. "You expect a little more change at a TV station."

For his part, Overton says his decision to leave WFLA had little to do with previously unsuccessful stints as a weekend and morning anchor. Last year, his duties were limited to Eight on Your Side work, a column for the Tampa Tribune and occasional fill-in anchor duties.

Though his contract expires later this month, there's no set date for Overton's departure, expected at the end of the summer. Even after leaving, the consumer reporter hopes to return for occasional appearances to offer tips on investment and securities information.

"Channel 8 has led the market in holding onto people . . . and I thought I was a lifer too," he says. "But nothing lasts forever. And I'm excited by a new opportunity."