Detroit TV: 4 On-Air Veterans To Exit WDIV

 Bernie Smilovitz, Rod Meloni, Paula Tutman and Mara MacDonald will all be leaving WDIV-TV (Channel 4) in early July, WDIV Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis announced on Tuesday.

The four broadcasters took early voluntary buyouts from the station, and their exit coincides with a number of behind-the-scenes employees who will be leaving the station as well.

The deal reportedly includes 18 months' pay and an extended benefits package that includes one year of health insurance.

Ellis tells the Free Press that the voluntary retirement incentives being offered to these individuals is a "thoughtful pathway for our long-serving colleagues nearing retirement."

"We had a unique opportunity to reward a group of long-serving individuals who have been instrumental in building our station’s success over the years," Ellis wrote in a newsletter to subscribers. "And while its bittersweet to see these friends and colleagues depart, it reflects our commitment to recognizing and appreciating our employees, which is a key reason we consistently attract and retain exceptional people."

Sports anchor Smilovitz has been with the station since 1986, save for a period from 1994 to 1996 when he left for New York. He is known for his popular "Bernie's Bloopers" and "Weekend at Bernie's" highlight segments.

Smilovitz' wife of 38 years, Dr. Donna Rockwell, died in October at age 66. "The truth is I wrestled mightily with returning to work," Smilovitz wrote at the time. "After all, Local 4 is also my family."

Tutman has been a reporter with the station since 1992, Meloni since 1995 and MacDonald since 2004.