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The Florida News Network has always fascinated me. If I remember correctly, it germinated from from WTSP’s desire to compete with WTVT’s recent linkup with Hubbard's national CONUS satellite network (you could always tell a CONUS affiliate apart by whether they called their satellite truck “NewStar”). I’m pretty sure WPTV joined not too long later.

All three... wrong thread. Remember... 2008-present, not from before 2008.

Actually Thom Allen also did voiceover work for WTSP in St. Pete during the “Stay In Touch With 10” era from 1983-1988. If you think about it his voiceover work really wasn’t just Post-Newsweek stations but also those in the Florida News Network news share agreement with WPLG, WJXT, WTSP, and WFTV (I don’t know if other Florida markets were in the agreement). I haven’t lived in Florida since 2010 but last I heard Thom was doing voiceover work for the Autonation affiliated Auto Dealers in Florida.

A taste of KOVR from maybe 1993-94? And a WOI special report and open from 1990, both using News Leader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=QZfwpnTuzqQ;t=265 There's plenty more WOI from the Iowa State University library's special collections archive (!), such as this edition of "5 Country Close Up" from January 1, 1980: And this edition of "Iowa Perspectives" from 1979, a special edition of Monday Newsfive: The channel also has news clips and other WOI ephemera dating back to the 50s and additional 80s-90s material. If you like WOI, you'll love ISU's library!

I don't know if this one was posted:

I don't believe he should lose his job. Does not matter who you put on that network, the real issue that evening news does not want to address is that people see the evening news as formulaic and the same. Digital disruption has taken over traditional broadcasting and people don't feel obligated to do appointment television anymore. It is sign of the times, there is nothing wrong with Jeff Glor.

I’m assuming this open debuted when Cox took over, and wow, Thom Allen voicing a non-Post Newsweek station in Florida? I wonder what WFTV used in the mid 80s before that open. We’re missing a good chunk from 1983-1986. (The NMSA says they used “And You” until 1987??) And Patrick Emory at KOVR is a new one. That’s possibly the third station he worked at that wasn’t anything St. Louis related - he also had stops at WTHR and KYW in 1979-1980.

With NBC buying out ZGS, its lone full-power station, KTDO El Paso, is getting an overhaul. On Monday, the station debuts expanded newscasts, as well as a new website and mobile app. The changes are very clearly timed to the start of the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday. The new newscasts fill the 4pm hour and bring the station in line with the other Telemundo O&Os. Ivette Sánchez, who had been reporting for six years, becomes the new female anchor at 4, 5 and 10, while existing male anchor Claudio Herrera will also be on at 4:30. Karla Mariscal will anchor both halves of the 4pm hour.

The latter era of the two Bobs at the Big 9. (Mike speak for WFTV circa 1986 with Bob Jordan and Bob Opsahl, both enjoying well deserved retirement) Among the stories reported, the first in a special series of reports about the unrest in Central America, a resort tax increase which eventually paid for what was the Amway Arena, and reaction from the neighbors (same as it was with the Orlando City Stadium). Featuring Bud Hedinger (who took Bob O’s job and lost it a few years after; but bounced to and ), Danny Treanor (who also bounced to Spectrum News, then to WKMG); and a strong voiceover by Thom Allen.

Damn. Those were the days.

For the record, 3/5ths of that group will soon be gone once Kathy leaves. Only Mark and Cheryl will remain.

At the time, that set felt fancy compared to the set they came from before that.

Thom also did VO work for WFTS' upstart news dept. after the switch to ABC, until the short-lived 28 News era in 2001-02. Patrick also was at WTOG in Tampa during the waning days of their news operation, during their usage of 615's Pinnacle; the clips of the final newscast (when they switched to The Paramount from Gari) don't have him present, I'm not sure if he wasn't there that night, or if he left beforehand.

Man it was good to see that Riverside commercial. That's the amusement park I grew up with, just about 15 minutes down the road from me.

That is sad, thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family in this very difficult time