Monday, October 7, 2013

BREAKING. Eleni Giokos dumps eNCA for new anchor position at Bloomberg TV Africa; says she's leaving eNCA with a 'heavy heart'.


After promising an expanded role for her earlier this year, eNCA (DStv 403) is losing star anchor Eleni Giokos who is dumping the 24-hour TV news channel to join Bloomberg TV Africa's bureau in Johannesburg.

Eleni Giokos who joined eNCA from CNBC Africa (DStv 410) went on a Greek holiday earlier this year, then returned, and was seen sitting in in the afternoon and nights until Friday last week on eNCA, has now decided to leave.

The news of Eleni Giokos' departure follows a month after Francis Herd also went out the door at the eNCA, after which Eleni Giokos sat in as temporary business news anchor during prime time on eNCA.

Eleni Giokos leaving the South African TV news channel comes as a massive blow, following in the wake of Francis Herd's absence, draining eNCA of its most experienced business news TV talent.

Eleni Giokos was destined to anchor a new business show on eNCA, but have now jettisoned eNCA where, besides her incredible econo-telly talents, she instantly shined on television showing her wide skill at presenting broader general news and off the cuff live interviews.

"We're very sad Eleni Giokos is leaving us," says Patrick Conroy, the group head of eNCA. "She is a very popular member of the team and a true professional.

"In the competitive world of 24-hour TV news your talent is always at risk of being poached. eNCA has become a recruitment ground for international networks and rival 24-hour news channels. We actually take it as a compliment."

"So it is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to Eleni Giokos. We had hoped she would stay with us, however we are proud that she is held in such high regard by a major international broadcaster," says Patrick Conroy.

"I'm very torn about my decision," says Eleni Giokos. "eNCA offered me a tremendous opportunity which I've sadly had to turn down."

"I've had some of my best times as a broadcaster at eNCA. My bosses and my colleagues were always amazingly supportive and great to work with. I learnt so much from Patrick Conroy and working in such a professional environment."

Eleni Giokos says that it's with "a heavy heart that I find myself having to say goodbye".

The channel is expected to announce a replacement in the coming weeks.