David Ashbrock Leaves Channel 19

Another victim of budget cuts: David Ashbrock, the terrifically versatile producer-director at WXIX-TV (Channel 19).

Ashbrock has done just about everything in 27-1/2 years at Channel 19. He directed UC basketball and football games; the coaches’ shows; directed some 10 p.m. newscasts; designed the news graphics, mapping and opening animation; helped set up the new HDTV switcher and monitoring scheme; plus produced, directed and edited specials about the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Zoo and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. He won 32 Emmys in 27-1/2 years.

But he was told that his job as station executive producer was being eliminated after Channel 19 terminated its UC television contract last month. His last duty was to direct Channel 19's final original UC basketball telecast, the UC-Miami game last weekend.

"I was shocked, but not surprised, because I've seen this happen so much in the business. I thought I was immune because I wore so many hats, and put in so many hours," says Ashbrock, 51, of Blue Ash. "I was a producer, director, editor, writer, graphics designer, production manager and technologist."

Channel 19 coworkers were shocked too.

“I did a lot of problem-solving for people on the staff, with production technology issues or editing or lighting. I’m called on a lot by a lot of people, and they asking, 'Who's going to take care of this now?' I didn't know what to tell them. I did lots of things that made our place function more efficiently,” he says.

But Ashbrock's stature in the TV industry reaches far beyond the walls of the Channel 19. He is very respected throughout the TV business, having served for 10 years on the National Emmy Awards Committee for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). Since 2001, he has been chairman of the National Emmy Awards committee, which writes rules and regulations for national sports, news, documentary daytime and technology Emmys. His wife, Peggy, is former regional administrator for the Emmys.

He's also sought after by regional/national sports networks. He has freelanced on Reds games, Xavier basketball, A10 basketball, Cyclones hockey, Bengals preseason games, golf, bowling and indoor soccer.

And he's a very nice guy, a real class act. He refused to talk about his termination until after the UC-Miami game. "I didn’t think it was right to comment while I was still employed there," he says.

The Moeller High School (1974) and UC (1978) grad worked two years at Channel 9 before hired by Channel 19 in 1980. A few months later, Channel 19 got UC basketball rights.

Now he's unemployed. Add his name to the list of those who lost their broadcasting jobs in '07: Laure Quinlavin, Andy Furman, John Phillips, Brian Patrick, WEBN’s Mr. K, Will Sterrett, Duke & Rob Ervin from the Gary Burbank Show…

Ashbrock says he has received a couple of "quite serious" calls from potential employers. He also plans to create a production company, and continue freelancing for regional and national sports channels.

"If I only wore one hat, I'd be very nervous about trying to find a job. But I'm excited about the opportunities of what I might be doing," Ashbrock says.

I know many current and former TV workers read this blog. Do you have some stories about working with Ashbrock? Will you add your tribute to him here?