NewsChannel 5 was ‘actively’ trying to keep her

On By Littum

In a statement, WTVF’s station manager also suggested NewsChannel 5 didn’t say goodbye on air because the beloved personality didn’t want to

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NewsChannel 5 was “actively working” to try to keep popular meteorologist Bree Smith at the station and renew her contract, station manager Richard Eller said in an email to The Tennessean.

Smith’s last day was Jan. 10, and neither she nor WTVF let viewers know in advance that she was leaving after nine years on the air. It wasn’t until four days later that Smith, 43, confirmed to The Tennessean and on her Facebook page that she was no longer working at the station.

That sparked thousands of comments from viewers upset that Smith was gone and that she didn’t get an on-air goodbye or thank you from NewsChannel 5.

At the time, Smith declined to talk about negotiations, saying only that her contract had expired.

Over the weekend, the station manager said in an email that executives wanted Smith to stay.

“While we cannot share details out of respect for Bree’s privacy,” Eller wrote, “we can tell you that we were actively working toward an agreement to retain Bree, and we were disappointed that those negotiations did not come to fruition.”

Eller declined to comment directly on why there was no on-air farewell for Smith, again citing concerns for her privacy, but suggested a quiet departure was her choice.

“Bree has been an important member of our weather team for several years, and we know that means our viewers are sad to see her go, too,” he wrote.

“We are fortunate to have a team with many tenures – in the newsroom and in the community. Many of us have worked together for a long time. Like any other company, people occasionally decide to leave for a wide variety of reasons.

“If someone makes these kinds of changes, we usually take our cues from them about what kind of recognition they want. Some want a big broadcast, some prefer to go quietly, and others want to take some time and decide later. We respect people’s right to choose what is best for them.”

Smith declined to comment Monday morning on the station’s statement.

She said last week that she plans to stay in Nashville. “I plan to be a mother and a meteorologist,” Smith added, without giving any details about what her plans might be.

Since leaving the station, Smith remains active on her social media, posts about the weather and provides tips for keeping warm in the bitter cold.

Reach Brad Schmitt at [email protected] or at 615-259-8384.