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There’s a bit of personality at WCBS to be fair - Marcia Kramer certainly adds a local flavor but overall I tend to agree with you. - WABC’s vibe is an unusual combo of familial and tabloid. As much as I dislike the increased opinion segments, visual mess, and Disney corporate synergy, it still feels like the default for me. Coverage all across the Tri-State - they go all out, highest use of copters too. -WNBC is straight to the point but has the appeal of local-born talent and 30 Rock gravitas. Coverage is a little more focused on the boroughs, with a strong Jersey presence. Collaboration with WNJU reporters has been great, providing coverage into communities overlooked by everyone else. -WPIX targets straphangers and the NY1 demo. Used to have the Daily News connection which though diminished still feels present. -WNYW is a bit dull but I think has been targeting a tone similar to WABC’s tabloid/human interest take. At least they’re coming up with interesting branding like “The Noon” -WCBS is just…there. It’s visually polished but the tone is wooden and really feels cookie-cutter. Editorially there’s an overemphasis on Westchester and Long Island. I feel like they were stronger when they could lean on the Always-On WCBS 880 / 1010 WINS synergy, but that’s faded. The reporters and anchors are all…fine? But the overall vibe is just generic and not targeted to the market.

RE: that 2016 open in there that is inspired by the spinning world 80s and statue of liberty mid 80s opens - happened to run into Lester and his wife on the street and told him kudos to whomever did that work - it was really classy, approachable, identifiable work. He was appreciative and liked it too. Wish the open lasted longer.

Honestly it was better when it was the WGN Superstation. Simulcast the WGN Morning News and 9pm news again. Run Blue Bloods and ITHOTN reruns during the day. I’m sure that’ll get them higher ratings than what they’re getting now. Problem solved. Money & dignity saved.

Griffin Communications posted pictures of owner David Griffin giving OKC mayor and other dignitaries a tour of News 9’s new media center at the Century Center in Downtown OKC while it’s still under construction they show a part of the set where in studio interviews will be done along with other stories also have pictures of what will be the newsroom and I’m guessing the lobby.

However, I still think that whatever new “O&O package” comes out will be extremely similar to this one, especially now it’s seeing more use on-air and not just online.

I'm guessing the graphics team is still getting used to the new lower thirds because that's a lot of empty space for the text to be that condensed. Not really liking the extra large logo, but that's on par with the national network design so it's unsurprising that local is trying to mimic the general style.

Funny, I also had Marcia Kramer (and John Elliott) in mind as the exception to the rule. I second your point about the emphasis on 2's Westchester & Long Island whereas PIX 11 & Fox 5 feel more borough oriented. "CBS News New York Now on WLNY" is a mouth full and doesnt roll off the tounge. CBS 2 News really bounced back from 2007 onwards after about 10 years of mess, but it seems like they're just going back down the same rabbit hole again. On the bright side, CBS 2 has the best set and video wall in the market.

idk who opted for it to be replaced by the current 5 second trash intro.

As I said before CBS local's problem is that it feels like a generic corporate model duplicated across many cities with no uniqueness to individual cities. Even though NBC ABC and Fox all replicate models across O&O's, each station has its own distinct feel. Fox 29's Mike Jerrik is uniquely Philly as Fox 5's Greg and Rosanna were uniquly New York. WNBC stands apart from WTVJ because of its use of Rockefeller Center and the christmas tree, ice skating rink and close residence with national NBC News. Not to mention the CBS local reporters (especially in NYC) don't stand out and just seem like transplants from different markets.

Breifly at 15:35, Church Scarborough fills in for Brian Williams on Weekend Nightly News in 1995.

The graphics package on the NOW newscasts are not the upcoming CBS O&O graphics. They’re still a work in progress.

After the TVNC report regarding the workplace environment at News 12, owner Alice launched an internal investigation which led to GM Jacques Natz's ouster https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/news-12-gm-jacques-natz-ousted-after-internal-investigation/

I tried tuning in from CBS News New York (which is in the newscast name, mind you) and couldn't obtain the feed. And to hear it was not even produced in New York with the local anchors? It seems like they're trying to make it a standardized national newscast for local news. After I typed that sentence, I even realized how wrong that sounds.

I love the news desk! I'm glad they chose not to do the trendy standing anchor desk! Something about them make me so uncomfortable/unease

Some pics:

The new set is finally here.

Speaking of KCNC, I came across this video from yesterday featuring a couple of stingers that I haven't seen before; and they look really close to the newer CBS branding - https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/dangerous-flooding-emergency-message-larimer-county-sheriff/ Could this be a possible hint at the new graphics?