Moses Znaimer, CHUM vice-president of corporate development and president of its Citytv, shocked the TV world Jan. 21, announcing via e-mail to CHUM executives that he would be ‘on sabbatical’ from the Toronto broadcasting giant for several months.

‘After 31 years of near-perpetual excitement I need a break,’ wrote Znaimer, in an excerpt obtained exclusively by Playback, adding, ‘I’m taking care of some personal stuff.’

The news touched off a chain reaction of rumor and speculation among CHUM staff and industry watchers, many of whom guessed that the veteran broadcaster and iconoclast had been ousted in a power struggle with newly appointed CEO Jay Switzer.

But CHUM VP of communications Mary Powers is quick to put down the rumors and insists there is no trouble between Znaimer, his former underling Switzer, or the CHUM brass.

‘Jay took over as president of CHUM Television almost two years ago,’ she says, ‘and their relationship has been great since then, so Jay taking over [CHUM] Limited doesn’t change anything.’

CHUM senior executives reportedly knew ‘for a very long time’ that he was planning to go. Still, his departure was alarmingly abrupt. Neither Switzer, on vacation following the NATPE trade show in New Orleans, nor Znaimer, already out the door, were available for comment.

Powers says it will be business as usual despite his absence. His departure comes at a critical time for the company, which will soon be fighting a war on two fronts with Calgary-based Craig Broadcasting. Craig will launch toronto|one in CHUM’s backyard next fall and, in apparent retaliation, CHUM is preparing to open stations in Alberta for which CRTC hearings are set to begin this spring or summer.

This is the second of two sabbaticals Znaimer is allowed in his employment contract, Powers says.

-www.chumlimited.com

Sean Davidson