Updated 12:45pm with station confirmation. UTICA -- Most TV program directors usually aren't "known" to the public, but it's a safe bet anyone who has ever watched WKTV has at least heard the voice of Tom Coyne, and if you watched enough, you may have actually seen him appearing on-camera. CNYTVNews.com has learned from multiple sources that, after 17 years, Coyne has exited the NBC affiliate.
Station manager Frank Abbadessa confirmed Coyne's exit on Friday morning, after we asked him about anonymous reader tips we received on Thursday night. One tipster hinted Coyne was dismissed as a cost-cutting measure. Citing station policy, Abbadessa said he can only verify Coyne has exited the station; he cannot comment further. As of 12:45pm Friday, Coyne's name still appears on the "Contact Us" page of the WKTV website.
In addition to serving as PD, Coyne voiced-over countless commercial and promotional spots produced by the station. He also appeared as a frequent guest on the "Newstalk" segment during NewsChannel 2 at Noon, taking viewer questions about programming. And, in a pinch, Coyne has been seen filling in as a sports anchor.
We don't have definitive dates, but prior to joining WKTV, Coyne once hosted the long-running SportsWatch on WIBX. He has also been the in-house announcer for many of the hockey teams who have called the Utica Memorial Auditorium home over the years. One CNYTVNews.com reader also wrote in to remind us Coyne served as sports director for ABC affiliate WUTR for a time during the 1970s.
Thanks to observant CNYTVNews.com readers for passing along this news. Anytime there's something happening at your local radio or TV station, be sure to drop us a line via email or by clicking "Contact" in the menu at the top of the page. Requests for anonymity are always honored with the highest regard. CNYRadio.com covers radio in Syracuse, Utica and Ithaca. CNYTVNews.com covers Syracuse and Utica.