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We have a replacement for Mark Johnson at WEWS. Frank Marzullo, most recently at WXIX in Cincinnati and worked at WTAP and WFMJ in the past, has been hired by WEWS. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2025/05/25/wews-adds-meteorologist-after-firing-mark-johnson/83851974007/

I agree on Toni Yates. Maybe WABC wants to utilize her more as reporter, but I think she is perfect next to Michelle (and I think she should have gotten that seat a long time ago).

You bring up some very valid points with the way ownership has transpired over the years there. Making matters worse is the consolidation that brought in WXVT and allowed the creation of WNBD-LD, bringing all locally owned television under one roof. Would you agree that it would have made more sense to pipe in distant affiliates of networks not already there? This would have preserved more diversity in voices, and has been an issue in smaller markets that have had the ability to bring in local affiliates, at the expense of out-of-town stations that the local viewers have relied on for years, if not decades.

I just checked, and last Sunday and yesterday, it was Toni Yates. They should give her the weekend morning gig. She's been their fill-in a lot and seems worthy of doing so permanently. Plus, it wouldn't be her first permanent anchoring gig of her career (she's done WPHL when it was WB 17).

As a longtime resident of Greenville and the Mississippi Delta, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment over the frequent changes in ownership and the glaring lack of investment in our local television stations. Cox and even Imagicomm, as current owners, have not lived up to their responsibilities. It’s disheartening to think that an area struggling with economic challenges—one of the poorest in the nation—is served by station owners who seem indifferent to the needs of the community. The dedicated viewers and hardworking staff at these stations unquestionably deserve far better than what they currently receive. This mounting situation underscores the urgent need for a collaborative effort to rejuvenate our local media landscape. Our station, WABG, has the potential to shine; it simply requires modernization and owners who genuinely care about nurturing this small television market. Historically, the Delta's stations have lagged, often equipped with outdated technology that places them years behind other television markets across the state. If WABG could attain even half the production quality demonstrated by WLBT or KTVE, our community would feel far more satisfied and engaged with the local news coverage. It genuinely pains me to hear fellow community members express their disillusionment, many stating they no longer tune into our local news broadcasts and instead turn to sources from Jackson or Little Rock. The disconnect is palpable, and we must take steps to rekindle pride in our local news.

WFLA Newschannel 8 1994 WPVI Action News 1990 WJZ Eyewitness News 1993 (clip starts at 14:11) WRC News 4 1993 KNBC Channel 4 News 1995 WHBF 4 News closing at the beginning of the clip. 1985 WTSP 10 News 1994

The big problem is definitely the security needed these days; as Weeters said, it was interesting in 1994 when the worst folks you ever encountered usually posted their manifestos via the mail and everyone self-policed themselves. But once Columbine and 9/11 happened along with the Internet, stalkers, then just general distrust of mainstream media setting in, you had to block out those folks from getting on camera as a threat to the safety of others, so now outside set parts of the day you're looking at an empty window outside the Today studio where unless you brought the right sign or sob story to get in for a game or makeover on the 4th hour (or now, well pre-vetted ahead of time), there's no way you're appearing on-camera. It's why the concept has just completely died locally outside of controlled weather decks and balconies; those stations just don't have the budget to provide security that NBC has, along with any idiot ready to yell 'FHRITP' and attack the talent. Who would want that headache? Add to that the pointless 1515 move that still stuck CBS in a windowless studio and ABC eventually retreating to the safety of the second floor, because pedestrianization of Times Square now means you have to deal with multiple headaches outside the Naked Cowboy, the cavalcade of unlicensed characters and the 'unwashed masses', which especially after Tony Dokoupil's interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates...yeah, you'd be questioned deeply if you wanted to send him and Gayle out to do a cooking segment on the Square. It's also so damned bright now with all the signage and is probably a nightmare to light/shoot around because ad screens are on 24/7 rather than just still images lit only at night (my trip to Times Square last year was on a drab and rainy day and it felt like that block was lit like 30 car lots), so that was another reason CBS had to cover the windows and ABC's only Times Square shot is now just that one generic shot of the big screen. All of that is a reason TRL is no longer a thing too; it used to be you tolerated Limp Bizkit to get to see Britney Spears, but today's music 'stans' will try to derail a free event with an artist they hate in any way they can (and the reason for the hate is probably very banal). Finally, most people are there just to get a picture with the talent, so once you get it...well, you're done. It's not 1998 any longer where it'll take a bit to get that picture from the lab. You got your TikTok/Instagram moment. Instant gratification. Why stick around? Outside the concert series, who wants to stand around watching a morning show backwards through a window you probably can't even see through, probably through loudspeakers which sound awful, and an outdoor uncovered plaza subject to rain, snow or cold? You'd be better off waiting for winter to get facetime on the skating rink wide shot or under the tree, where you know you won't get hassled by regular cops and side-hustle security guards.

Having been to that area, like you said, police shoe people away from that view of the window (W 49th Street) and everyone is told to stand behind the barricades on the side of studio (Rockefeller Plaza), so it's comparatively empty today. Having gone to the Plaza myself, the audience experience is pretty lackluster. The anchors barely come out onto the plaza except for the 8 AM introduction and an occasional weather hit from Al. I think an outdoor audience presence is still cool if utilized properly which Today doesn't really do anymore.

I would love to see NDs fill in in the field so they definitely get a dose of reality.

The streetside studio was an interesting concept when NBC brought it back in 1994. But, it's no longer 1994. It says a lot that everyone else has abandoned/is abandoning their streetside studio concept. It doesn't magically make the show better, or increase ratings. It has become a magnet for weirdos and people with an axe to grind, and that can be seen by how the area outside 1A's home base has been filled with a bunch of giant planter boxes over the last decade. The only way you can end up on TV now (and that seems to be a lot fewer people clamoring for that than before) is by being in the area that their security and/or the NYPD can shoo you away from the window. Look at the stark difference between this pic from a 1999 wild feed and nearly the same anchor position from this morning, and another similar one from this past week. You can't even see across the street anymore. Are they in New York City? Can't tell, it's entirely obscured by plants (and not even an actual plant in half of the second image, it's a screen showing a plant). The shots have all been adjusted too, go back and look at late 90's/early 2000's clips and match them up with the modern look... New York City is hidden from view. So, I ask, what is the point?

I actually applaud when ND's/AND's step in when needed... I think it gives them new perspective that many times they forget about.

Cyle Dickens, our own Cyle Dickens, has been promoted to Assisant News Director at KWQC. He's off weekends but will still do the weather at 5pm every weeknight. In the meantime, the station has hired a bilingual meteorologist (very exciting) and a hometown local (from East Moline) in Diana Rodriguez. She takes over on weekends from Cyle. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=677244911937985&id=100089574456129

Spain 50 years as the country's most recognized, well respected, most trusted, and most beloved journalist. Matías Prats celebrates 50 years on Spanish television. TVE from 1975-1998 (23 years), and Antena 3 since then, going on 27 years there, now mainly anchoring weekends with Mónica Carrillo and is usually the most-watched weekend News team in the country. Not too bad for someone following in his legendary father's footsteps. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.antena3.com/noticias/sociedad/chascarrillo-matias-prats-recordando-sus-50-anos-television-daria-ideas-direccion-retirarme_202505246831e61a3407f96812ad11f1.html

Longtime WSFA-TV anchor Bob Howell, who anchored at WSFA from 1976 to 2012, has passed away. https://www.wsfa.com/2025/05/24/longtime-former-wsfa-news-anchor-bob-howell-has-died/

Stephanie Ramos from ABC News sat in last Saturday.

I still can't wrap my head around how Gray has decimated this uber-dominant station. Have they really fallen that far to where the once non-existent WDHN is actually making a dent in viewership? Then again, I realize that it's probably a true dollars and cents move since ratings and revenue don't matter. Gray just thinks the station costs too much money for the retransmission revenue it brings in and the viewers of Dothan be damned....

IMO it's no issue that they share a set, the problem is that the set sucks.

KCTV's weather team is reeling. They're now down to three at the moment as Greg Bennett has left KCTV for Spectrum News 13 Orlando last month, and now this week, it was Savannah Tennyson who has decided to leave the business altogether. This just leaves the Chief Luke Dorris plus Melissa Meeder and Warren Sears. Before I even post an edit, I forgot that Mike Nicco joined them after getting cut by KSHB. So technically, they're at four, but still... all this talent leaving at rapid succession (with Carolyn Long's upcoming retirement as well) makes you think and question what is going on at KCTV? Here's Greg's sign off last month: https://www.kctv5.com/video/2025/04/26/meteorologist-greg-bennett-says-goodbye-kansas-city/

I’ve sampled a Gray station which was formerly heavily integrated with their network for graphics, music, promos and all. It’s been that way for decades. No mention of the network at all now. They are a top-notch station with exceptional quality. But the thorough flushing of the network feels abrupt and almost orphan, in my opinion, especially after so many years of identifying with it.

After being aired on a Cozi sub for the last 17 months, the KOBI-produced nightly 10pm newscast is making its grand return to KMVU starting June 9th. https://www.fox26medford.com/news/fox26-first-news-at-ten-returns-to-primetime-beginning-june-9th/article_2098f565-41b6-4ac8-8ece-5f040c2bafe3.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawKd-mRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhe6EiuAdxJvw8-OYwp-tfS0x4AcKAoU3Swgv2xjc4-WyyRC5bgLqWhtkGpT_aem_AI1UQnfO2qbj7Fs9UJXquQ

Recently a WRGB/WCWN anchor went viral for anchoring their three hour long AM broadcast while in labor. Interestinly their news director Stone Grissom has been filling in for her for the last two mornings. The station is on the verge of short staffing as three of their anchors are pregnant simultaneously, with one already on maternity leave and another on paternity leave...on top of Liz Bishop's pending retirement.

It looks like TEGNA is joining in Gray in launching 24/7 weather streams for their stations. I mentioned WVEC and WXIA some time ago here. Now, 13WMAZ wants to join in on the fun and deliver 24/7 weather coverage... Straight from the Heart.

Bill Jartz didn't do the 10pm on his final two days as I thought he would. The 6pm earlier tonight ended up being his last. They extended it by two minutes to let him say goodbye. A class act by the station to do so.

There's definitely intriguing logic here. However, my guess is that TODAY will stay put at 10 Rockefeller Plaza. With ABC moving GMA downtown and CBS returning to that old milk factory in Hell's Kitchen (not that they have ever leveraged their Times Square location), it could be a bit of an advantage for NBC to keep 1A operating, especially with the ability to continue outdoor concerts. I think the smarter play would be to rent out one of their empty studios to a third party. This would bring in rental revenue, and 3A and 3K are able to hold audiences. And if rumors are to be believed, 6A might also be open if Clarkson winds down her show at the end of next season. (But seeing that it is a rumor the NY Post continually publishes, I'm not giving it a whole lot of weight) I know there aren't a ton of productions looking for space right now, but it is something to consider. Speaking of renting, I'm guessing MSNBC will rent their current space from NBC until their new studios are completed. So it might be status quo for 18 months or more.

Segments from today's final edition of Around the Horn: The first segment: The ending: