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Unfortunately the Local 24 news days are over. MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Big changes are coming to Local 24 and Local Memphis starting on Sept. 27, 2021. WATN-TV will rebrand to "ABC24 Memphis" to better connect with Memphis viewers. WATN-TV became "Local 24" on air and "Local Memphis" online after it was acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting in July of 2012. In September of 2019, TEGNA purchased WATN from Nexstar and initiated a rebranding study shortly after. The ABC24 branding will come with new logos, a new web address, and new page name on Facebook, "ABC24 Memphis". "ABC24 is already how the Memphis community identifies with WATN," said Sam Carolan, Director of Digital Content for TEGNA Memphis Broadcasting, "It's instantly recognizable to our audience. The new brand also makes a direct connection between WATN's on-air and online presence. " You can visit the new website here on September 27: www.abc24.com

Nah, the 20/20 bugs have been inconsistent for years. The new logo certainly should've given them the opportunity to fix this, but it's no fault of the rebrand team.

Imagine TalkBack 16 if they did this to WNEP. LOL -- Matt

Flat and basic is a common cultural design esthetic across mulitple platforms these days, not just TV. You see it in the evolution of Apple iOS, product packaging, even in interior design and more. Glossiness, bold gradients, and 3D are OUT and actually look pretty dated unless you're talking male-skewing sports content. Simple high contrast colors, natural textures and basic shapes are the way things are going right now.

This is totally true. Here we are in an era where we now have access to screens that have huge capabilities for resolution, gradients, color, etc. and designers these days are flattening everything out for some bizarre reason. They're not using the medium to it's fullest potential. It seems like most station groups are falling victim to the blue banner/white letter syndrome. I'm not saying for designers to make things look gaudy; I'm saying there needs to be more creativity to differentiate stations/station groups. Stations need to have more of an individual "visual personality".

They also use that version for Nightline. Oh, so I see 20/20 with the "regular" on-screen bug. Why can't they just be consistent with what they use?

I knew Tegna was going to drop the "Local" branding. But do the logo needs to look like WVEC with that slant on the end?.....

Sorry for the quality, but did they change the bug or is this a one time thing? I know it was different when they first switched and I was just channel surfing right now.

Dan's IG states that Betty is going to be with John, 4:30-7am.

My guess there is some contract negotiations going on with the current or outside people - that is why nothing announced - I think Betty is staying

Hmm interesting- but Hazel's a great pickup for WPIX; she always was top notch filling in on the anchor desk at WCBS and she's well acclimated to New York viewers so a much deserved promotion for her! So the question again is where does Betty go? Perhaps leaving the station, perhaps not. Part of me wonders whether she's moved to early mornings with John Muller? I'm still surprised since PIX's roster currently has a lot of underutilized anchor possibilities (Shirley, Kala, Kirstin) so with Hazel also on board it makes me think somebody is leaving.

FOX5 better be careful who they select to be with Rosanna. Her and Greg were untouchable when they were together so their selection will nr interesting. They definitely need a male presence

WABC also updated the logo on their programming promos.

Here is some talk about racism at my local TEGNA station. It's a really goof video, and I think we need to have more conversations about this in media. Racism at Local 24

I just plain wonder if, regardless of approach, launching a news channel right now is a good idea. I'm starting to get the feeling that, after the last four years in general and the past year in particular, people are just completely and totally burned out on news. I know I am - I used to watch a lot of local and cable news up until the pandemic, and then made a conscious decision to stop watching. And I've long considered myself a hard core news junkie. The problem for Nexstar, of course, is that I don't think there was any other viable option. Sports is kind of in a weird spot right now, still mostly cable but on the verge of making a significant streaming push. Discovery kinda has the factual and unscripted stuff locked down. True Crime is saturated between HLN/Oxygen/ID and OTA options like Scripps' Court TV networks. And prestige scripting... forget about it, the streamers have that on lock down now. Additionally, this might have been the most newsworthy six months of our lifetimes, between the pandemic, the ongoing racial unrest, the election, the chaos after the election, 1/6, Biden taking office, and probably a ton of other things I can't think of. And they have utterly failed to capitalize. The audience is either unaware - unlikely because Nexstar's stations are pushing this relentlessly - or more likely, utterly disinterested in this offering. At minimum, something needs to change... and it might just be getting close to the time to cut losses.

I see. So, they're going with a WVEC-esque look now. Link to the story: https://www.localmemphis.com/article/about-us/local-memphis-and-local-24-becoming-abc24-on-september-27/522-1dd5ae03-80cb-47d4-8227-c123a5e42cd5?utm_medium=social&utm_source=undefined_janiceTVnews

A compilation of Smuckers Birthdays in honor of Willard. I will miss you forever and so will millions. Whether you were getting ready to go to work, or if you were a little kid watching the Macy's Parade with mom and dad, Willard was a presence that NBC can never replace. RIP forever, Willard.