Bell Named KCBS News Director as Part of Shake-Up

The upheaval at KCBS-TV that started last week with the departure of veteran anchors Michael Tuck and Linda Alvarez continued Tuesday with the ouster of longtime news director Larry Perret and the appointment of former KABC news director Roger Bell as news director.

Bell, who had been working at WNBC-TV in New York as executive producer, was introduced to the KCBS staff Tuesday morning by John Severino, the president of CBS’ owned-and-operated TV station group who doubles as KCBS’ general manager. Bell began his duties immediately.

Severino said in a statement that Bell is the “perfect leader” for the station’s “aggressive strategy to strengthen and expand its news efforts. He has the ability to produce news broadcasts that are comprehensive, hard-hitting, informative and competitive. He also brings an incomparable knowledge and appreciation of Southern California that only comes from many years of service here.”

Bell worked twice at KABC-TV--as assistant news director from 1976 to 1984, and then as news director from 1989 to 1994. Under his leadership, the station was the top-rated station for its 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m and 11 p.m. newscasts.

“I’m just trying to acquaint myself here,” said Bell in an interview Tuesday. “Last Friday, I was working at WNBC, and today, I’m here. I’m very excited about being here.”

He said he was particularly eager about a new version of the 4 p.m. news called “Women to Women,” which will cover news but will also focus specifically on issues that appeal to women. The new show will begin Sept. 13.

Rumors about Perret’s fate had circulated for some time, but still some staffers were caught off guard by his departure. Perret had been news director at the station since 1994, and the news staff had won numerous local and national awards under his direction.

Said Perret in an interview after his departure: “We accomplished a great deal, and I’m proud of that.”

The shake-up came only a few days after Tuck and Alvarez were let go, and more changes are in the works under Severino, who was named in July to revive the station, which has been a perennial cellar-dweller in the local news ratings. The station has undergone several management changes over the last decade, and has often been embroiled in internal turmoil.