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We were discussing NewsNation in the Discord the other day, and I went browsing through Nexstar's latest Annual Report to see what mentions of NewsNation they make in it. One thing did jump out at me, in a mention of how much money they've saved cutting syndicated programming and other types of rights (emphasis mine): Dropping syndicated programming and other shows from NewsNation through 2021 saved them $17.5 million dollars. They now control all of that ad inventory, on programming they are paying much less for than what it replaced (hell, dropping syndicated programming very likely paid for the NewsNation programming outright.) This is an important part of the NewsNation strategy, the same strategy the local stations use when they drop an hour of Judge Judy for more local news. The "ratings" might not be as good, but if they're now paying $4,000 an hour to program NewsNation Prime where they were previously paying $8,000 for an hour of Law and Order: Parking Enforcement Unit, they are coming out ahead.

Come to think of it, that might partially explain the shift to being commentator-heavy. Talking-head programs can’t be that expensive to produce. All you need is one person with an opinion, a reasonable backdrop, some guests that will appear on any network that throws cash at them, and you have a show. Why fill your schedule with original documentaries, international news coverage, or investigative specials when you can generate more revenue with talking heads? And while Nexstar will certainly be paying the stars of such talk programs generously, their salaries will likely pale in comparison to the Carlsons and Maddows of the world. Not to mention, some of those personalities aren’t even exclusive to NewsNation. I remember reading a quote from Perry Sook from a conference call regarding the Tribune acquisition. This was his statement on Tribune’s management of WGN America (via Deadline) This was in reference to WGN America cancelling nearly all of its expensive original programming in favor of cheaper syndicated reruns. This should’ve been an indicator that Sook wanted his new cable network to generate revenue on the cheap, rather than investing in expensive programming to draw eyeballs. Now, Nexstar not only invests in cheap programs; they invest in cheap programs that they own. Horrible move for journalism, but smart business move for a cable network that few were (or are) watching.

That's not a "mock", it's an actual graphics package offered up by our very own @cxd7346. It is NOT the new O&O graphics. While the package is well done, this thread is not the appropriate place to talk about it.

Since we're 5 days away from the new Premier League season, 3 days ago Rebecca Lowe announced that she signed a 6 year extension with NBC. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgjxpfCgUCe/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

She’ll be their weekend evening anchor. Good for Candace.

Harry Caray and Bob Bell are rolling in their graves. In fact, they might get better ratings if they give Bozo an hour-long talk show. Where's Joey D'Auria? The whole network is a circus, no pun intended, and an insult to what WGN used to be as a cable superstation. When reruns of a particular Tom Selleck program beat Dan Abrams and Fredo, they are in deep trouble. I can't see too many people returning to Chris Cuomo, tainted from his brother's COVID nursing home death and sexual scandals.

She ended up in Atlanta. Her IG now says "@wsbtv Anchor-Reporter "

I'm not liking this CBS News Now on CW Philly at 10PM. I prefer just the local news given by my local newscasters. I know it has some local news, but If I want to see that much national news, I'll watch the evening national news at 6:30PM or CNN/MSNBC.

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing those on Giant Octopus' original website back in the day.

I’d honestly rather they go by “Weather.” It’s simple, unpretentious, and it’s what everyone calls it regardless of how much money stations spend on a weather brand. Names like “First Alert” and “Next” sound awfully tacky, and it’s the exact opposite of the forward-thinking approach that CBS is supposedly going for at its stations. People check the weather, they don’t check the “First Alert Forecast™.”

I agree, and I don’t think CBS is expecting to cut into KTLA (that would be more of an added bonus than a realistic expectation.) I think it’s mainly about putting on programming that’ll at least get better ratings than morning programming they currently offer on 2/9. And if KCBS takes a ratings hit (as if it hasn’t already,) it doesn’t matter. They’re all under the same umbrella anyway.

We both knew this was going to happen. We both knew it! Now watch, this will be the start of an expansion to actual 24/7 live weather fox FOX Weather instead of just airing long-form programming on weekends or even FOX Weather LIVE taking up the majority of its time on weekends.