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$20 says it's laying the groundwork for April 1st. It's helps that he's off this week, and doesn't have to be seen each morning to confirm whether this is for real or not.

Honestly fairly surprised by MSNBC becoming the top network!

I like the new MSNBC look. It's more refined and unique than the other one, that seemed like a giant CNN ripoff. It also ties in better to NBC News Now. I would imagine format-wise the main news is going to be covered on MSNBC while the NBC News Now is watered down as it is with breaking news and repeats of other NBC news shows.

KTSP (now KSAZ), Phoenix; 6 p.m., 1988 -- the tail end of the Bill Close era:

Yes, thank you to both! The Fox 2008 look was the main thing that was on the tip of my mind, that I couldn't think of. The 2016 TBS look kinda gives that vibe too. I think it was mainly the color scheme that was making me think of the Turner Sports look from 2007-2010. I also wonder if the new bosses will make all of their booth talent wear full suits for every game like what Marquee is mandating. It looks so odd to see that on a local telecast; although I think some Fox RSNs may have already been wearing suits on a daily basis anyway.

New score bug has been revealed! Looks like the new graphics will be cloned from sister channel Marquee Sports Network. The score bug itself is modified to be a straight line across the bottom of the screen for Baseball. Wouldn't be shocked if Marquee adapts the same change at the start of Baseball season.

Logistics plain and simple. Also, the cost of doing business in a smaller market may be much cheaper than a major market, especially if an area is more business-friendly tax wise. Let's say an ABC station that doesn't have a duopoly partner does a full slate of newscasts (AM 5-7, midday, 5,6, 10/11) They then have the time and space to do a Fox/CW newscast from 7-9 and a 9/10 show. Factoring in time zone changes, there are other windows to keep the crew and studio in use for other markets in different time zones.

WGN, Chicago; 9 p.m., 1992:

Are you the same VHSgoodiesWA that posted, on your YouTube channel, clips from the "Jenny Jones Show" from the early years of the program (c. 1992-93)?? Granted, I was never a fan of the show, but it was pretty surreal to see the show at its humble beginnings (e.g., the small set and small audience) compared to what it would later become (e.g. the set larger & the audience larger and rowdier).... As for the topics and guests themselves, I did see one episode you posted, and let's just say it was really cringe-inducing (although it was more Jenny's line of questioning her guests on this topic that was the major issue)......

KPNX, Phoenix; 10 p.m., 1988:

Good Day is doing a 25th anniversary show on Thursday, the 1st.

WLFL left Fox for the WB because Sinclair gave them a sweetheart affiliation deal, not because lack of news. What you speak of applies to what happened in Norfolk at the same time with WTVZ (I can't remember of WAVY already had a 10:00 on WVBT when they were WB). That same sweetheart deal also triggered UPN to WB switches in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio. WLFL's news did well even into their time as WB, it was Sinclair want to force everyone Fox/Netlet (and WXLV) onto News Central that led to its demise.

In Tulsa, KTPX apparently used the space vacated by Qubo, 44.2, with a UHF simulcast of KJRH.

Yeah, CNBC has a unique style with the theatrical style music, flash graphics and constant sound effects. I'm thinking a font change too. The ticker's always been blue and white and I don't see that ever changing. Kind of like PTI on ESPN having looked and sounded the same since the show started 20 years ago. CNBC hasn't had any significant changes in at least 15 years, with a lot of the same anchors and reporters and analysts.

Here’s a look at the updated graphics. The MSNBC Reports graphics are consistent across anchor, but with custom photos for each.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see CNN update their L3 in the next few weeks when they implement their new schedule. Stay tuned!

You're on the right track. The way I'm interpreting it from the articles I've read (and I've read those articles more than once) its sort of a mix between the games being broadcasted in markets in which the teams are represented (OTA) and on cable/apps for those outside of the market. In other words those within the Minneapolis-St. Paul DMA will see whatever games go on the Extra channel shown on WUCW, while those outside of WUCW's coverage area will have games exclusively carried on either DirecTV, certain cable providers and/or exclusively on the Bally Sports app.

Unless I'm misreading it, Bally Sports North Extra is not really a channel... it's just a way to brand the programming when they're being carried on broadcast TV.

Did not surprise me Sinclair sold KGBT TV to Mission Broadcasting. Will the sale be approved, and will CBS return to KGBT.

KGBT 4.1 has apparently been off the air since CBS moved the KVEO's spectrum, with that, I can see that both KGBT & KVEO return to their pre-2020 arrangements once Mission takes control.

This new desk is starting to look familiar. Just needs some flowers in front.

Hate to bump up a stagnant thread but.. some interesting tidbits from some of the Bally RSNs namely, Bally Sports North and Arizona. Sinclair is apparently going to be launching a 3rd channel known as Bally Sports Extra, which would serve as a multipurpose channel for at least initially, conflicts of at least 2 or more games. Depending upon the situation it'd be a mix of either or both OTA (within the market) as well as on services such as DirecTV (outside of the market) and on the Bally Sports apps for non-DTV customers that still gets the Bally RSNs. In the case of Bally Sports North, WUCW will be carrying the T-Wolves games on 4/3, 4/16, 4/26, 5/5 and 5/7 https://www.foxsports.com/north/story/bally-sports-north-tripleheader-channels-minnesota-wild-wolves-twins-032621 And in the case of Bally Sports Arizona, some D-Backs games are going on Bally Sports Arizona Extra, on both Cox and DirecTV https://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/bally-sports-arizona-announces-arizona-diamondbacks-2021-regular-season-schedule-032421 This part though I believe its the most interesting part 2 things that jump to my mind right away when I see that piece of the article. It's either a sign that Sinclair is about to strike a deal with someone in the Phoenix area to carry the games or a negotiating plot to get the RSNs back on certain services. If I were a betting person I would say its the former.

Western New York's broadcasting is silenced tonight. Legendary (WKBW) 7 Eyewitness News Sports Director/Anchor Rick Azar has died at the age of 91. Azar became a household name working alongside the late great Irv Weinstein, and Meteorologist tom Jolls (Commander Tom). Azar worked at WKBW from when the station signed on in November of 1958 to his retirement in 1989. Thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the Azar family and to his extended family at 7 Eyewitness News. RIP Rick, Godspeed... and say hello to Irv from all of us here.

WGN weekend meteorologist Mike Hamernik has passed away from lung cancer at the age of 60.