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What I will give them is the "local" accent is instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent time in Spokane as the Monroe Street Bridge. For market 70-something in 2025 it's not bad, and in fact pretty good. It will resonate with a local audience. Some of these other "we took design cues from local architecture" sets use a slightly different color faux brick and expect people to get it.

This. It's also not wildly technically complex. It's a bunch of big TVs, and that's perhaps one area where everything is not truly "more expensive"... Both consumer and commercial displays have come way down in price. A 75' Samsung 4K UHD HDR smart TV is slightly cheaper than it's commercial counterpart. The fabrication of the set probably cost much more than those displays did total. They also have like, a whopping total of 20 lighting fixtures, which is why it's lit so flat, and why it look underwhelming. Again, this is a trend, because good lights are still expensive (The new WABC set is lit with a lot of Skypanel S30s and S60s (linking the new version because the old version is on clearance sale), with the money WABC spent on just lighting their set, they could have probably bought the KHQ set 10 times over.) and KHQ doesn't have the money to do that. They seem to have dumped their conventional lighting fixtures (non-LED and non-Fluorescent) visible in that last broadcast from the old set, because those are also expensive to operate. Yeah, it doesn't look as good as it could if they had a massive big-market budget. But this isn't a big market, it's Spokane, and it's still a nice modern look.

Lonnie Quinn returned to WCBS and CBS this evening. He announced March 14th that he was taking several weeks off to recover from a concussion that was later determined to be a traumatic brain injury. He returned to the newsroom to applause, hugs, balloons and cake today:

For the first time in what seems like forever, WLUK will be getting a new studio this summer. For now, they're in a temporary place inside the building. https://fox11online.com/news/local/fox-11-news-temporary-newsroom-set-studio-remodeling-refresh-summer-2025-launch-unveil

It's not about money, as I said the tech is there. It's bland, lifeless set.

The Allen Wisconsin network is having a meltdown; WAOW has been stuck having to cover WKOW's newscasts since yesterday (and having to present their news that's completely irrelevant to Madison to pad out shows), along with having to do their statecasts in the morning. At this point, you might as well consider Madison, La Crosse/Eau Claire and Wausau two-operation news markets because it seems like Byron doesn't even care about having a proper third news operation (and Rockford will be inevitably hubbed out soon enough).

All this is fair, except this is an FX Group set. I still insist that it looks bland and fugly.

Ive seen sets from smaller markets than Spokane. Its all about design. And this trend of adding local landmarks needs to end. Its tacky and the "local" should be in the form of content not set. Just do a good set. I dont fall into the "its a small market" mindset. Charlottesville is market 177. So thats not an excuse for bad design and bad lighting and bad graphics. Charlottesville Market 177

Byron has renewed all nine of his celebrity court shows (I remind you that none of the shows are litigating real cases, but CA court transcripts with actors), which is probably going over well in the AMG station Slack or Teams .

Back to the conference room (which I remember from the last time, 2011-ish). Hopefully they'll be able to keep Aerial and not have to be stuck with an entire Sinclairization; at least they got a good life out of their LIN-era set.

This set is from FX Group.

Which honestly makes me appreciate it even more TBH...

I'm willing to bet it was also designed in house. Hiring dedicated firms is not cheap. An unfortunate consequence of that is station engineers and graphic artists (if they have such a department) aren't set designers but do what they can.

Every step and element of a set- from the first design meeting through the final light being plugged in is about money. Larger owners, like Nexstar for example, can get away with the same "set in a box" being mass produced which allows for some of the little design touches to become attainable in the budget. A much smaller company like Cowles, the owner of KHQ, has to pick and choose with the budget they likely have. They chose tech and an overall set that they likely hope will last as long as the old set did for them.

Looks like they did. Also the old ABC logo and weather logo also appear.

Nice I can't wait

WFIE has started using GrayONE elements (fonts, backgrounds) in commercials for anchor changes beginning May 5.

They are fixing it. It appears they forgot to install Barlow on their machines. Once they did that, it started to fix everything weatherwise. That said, WILX is next.

When your network producer doesn't remember their affiliate roster...of course WDRB doesn't brand as Fox 41, but you'd think 'Fox affiliate WX chiefs' would be in Fox Weather's Tweetdeck for sure.

This also comes right after the state of Indiana made cuts in the budget that go after Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Depending on which IPBS member stations in the state, it will be anywhere from 4-17% of budgets over the next two years.

This is a fine set for Spokane and market 73. Folks, I think we need to collectively come to the terms with the fact that the money is gone, everything is more expensive, and design trends are different than they were 20 years ago.

Beat me to it! John has become legendary in Fargo-Moorhead! Unlikely they find someone willing to make the area their entire career. (Although it is a fun market for forecasting!)

John Wheeler is only the second chief Meteorologist that WDAY-TV Fargo has ever had. Come May 16th, they'll have to look for a third once John decides to enter a new phase after 40 years there... retirement. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1073102168184588&id=100064544448955

Steve Doocy is getting a new role with reduced hours on F&F. He’ll be around 3 days a week to do segments from Florida while Brian, Ainsley and Laurence will remain as hosts. Steve has always been the much more grounded force on that show for 30 years now. https://x.com/FoxNews/status/1917928235641299372

I like it better than the Plan on it they were using.

It's a good concept. It can be a lot for reporters learn multiple communities. Having a specific subject or geographic focus allows reporters to gain more expertise in reporting. The problem is MMJing. Do reporters want to one man band until retirement? With anchoress newscasts that also removes a potential escape from MMJing. My question is, is breaking news anyone's game or does it go solely to the neighborhood reporter(s) that covers that area IMO, it would suck for your beat to be an area where nothing exciting happens and isn't prone to breaking news.

Pac-12 and CW have renewed their partnership. CBS and ESPN will share rights.

That is one of the laziest brand names. I'm guessing AI created that. When have you seen a meteorologist slackin' on air? The only one that I see not 'Weather Ready', is Nexstar with a two-hour delay which can have consequences during a weather emergency.

Speaking of WXMI, they have launched a re-branded weather team: The Weather Ready Team... with Weather Ready Alerts... Based on the story, it's very similiar sounding to TEGNA's "Weather Impact" branding.. Interested to see if this will be a local thing, or will it be launched at other Scripps stations....

That’s a pretty impressive article/post in the context of today’s business world. Not criticizing it.

LIN hasn't even existed in a fucking decade! Heartland must've been cheapasses too.

Never know especially if the FCC gets a lot of complaints from viewers especially WTVA.

The FCC and Congress are not going to “investigate” scaling back news operations for economic factors. And there are few to no unicorn operators out there who will sink money into a pit from which it will never return.

At least unite the graphics packages, WTHI is still on a LIN-era system. I like unique looks but not because you starve your stations to make more cheap game shows with expensive comedians and court show hosts.

Byron Allen's media empire could be subject FCC and congressional investigations and paying hefty fines to the FCC over this apparent violation of not serving the best interests local TV viewing audiences. At this point, Allen would probably be smart to sell his local TV stations off to companies that can operate stations that would adhere to serving public interests in good faith, and building up new groups of up-and-coming content creators.

Oh my god they look awlful, including the set design.

WFRV apparently parts ways with Michele McCormack, after her DUI arrest...

Wow, sad to see her go. She doesn't say she's going to leave news altogether although it wouldn't surprise me if she did ultimately do that. I remember following her social media in 2020 and she was just such a dynamic presence during the lockdowns. I recall she was part of the wave of new hires in that sort of post-COVID late-21/early-22 era (including Johnny, Leah, Brian, Frances, Karen, maybe others?) and now she's following Leah and Karen right out. Selfishly hoping she can stick around in news but wishing her the best wherever she's headed.

Frances Wang announced that she will be moving on from NBC 10. Her last day is on Monday. She began as weekend morning anchor and recently ascended to weekend evening anchor. I enjoyed watching her and am sorry to see her go. Wishing her the best in whatever she chooses to do next! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12Gis7pA1QH/

Note they don't give any specific examples. Never. Glad they will fight back and not become a propaganda channel which is what is wanted. Lots of legal barriers they can use to fight this.

Lauryn Ricketts, who left WRC-TV in 2022 to fufill military wife duties in Europe, has moved back to America, and is apparently back at the station: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIgSqC8Rtd4/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DJH8CSSSKiH/ edit: Here she is on air today: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/apple-blossom-festival-lauryn-ricketts-is-back-on-air-with-amelia-draper/3905554/

Queensland, Australia Joel Dry is the replacement to Andrew Lofthouse on QTQ Brisbane's 6pm news alongside Melissa Downes. https://www.9news.com.au/national/joel-dry-to-join-melissa-downes-as-co-presenter-on-queensland-s-6pm-bulletin/b24e17d1-0696-42ed-802c-28a590bb7372?ocid=Social-9News&fbclid=IwY2xjawKBQRNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoyh5P0Ww0FBQKQWvM5xy8psdgsQShYP30y-yEBfBIYPXRRjGVgoxr0ajV5C_aem_FqTkmpdhpx0iZjrn_1QZJg

A stalwart, titan, pillar of KSDK Television, Kay Quinn, is leaving after 36 years. July 18th will be her final day. https://archive.ph/bDvyZ

The winner in this deal? Actually, WRNN. The network abruptly left the air entirely on April 15 as it quickly became clear that the energy drink guy knows caffeine, but definitely not the news or home retailing industries. ShopHQ is trying to disguise their GOTB sale on their website as a spring savings event, no refunds for anything you buy there, and the WARN notice went out to the state about their Eden Prairie HQ being closed. Didn't want to update about this until a couple other things were confirmed, but they dropped Spectrum cold on April 1, and did the same to Optimum in February to try to shift live product demos to Instagram and TikTok, which...you're stuck with them on a cable channel lineup, but you can just block them and move on if they're annoying or irrelevant in your feeds. The younger ShopLC (The former Liquidation Channel) just opened a new facility in the Austin area and is strong (tariffs pending) and doing better than QVC/HSN, while ShopHQ is fatally done. Never thought any of that would happen.

It's been 20 years since KLAS' Polly Gonzalez was killed in a car crash. They will remember her this weekend. https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/community-event-planned-at-polly-gonzalez-park/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ_z5hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsp29hU4ovMltGE8hJpy-FMvUIbt-Apt1ySnWESS5VYQHnNkJyftYzJFgD2z_aem_eQYxSAVHGTytjriSO1KEtA

The TWC forecast on WEVV doesn’t even have Evansville in the right county. They moved Evansville from Vanderburgh Co. to Spencer Co. These two counties don’t even border each other. Not surprised.

Considering the extreme weather that part of the country gets, I'm not surprised one bit.

I believe that station had by far the biggest backlash of any of them. It would probably garner Allen the most money as well if they decided to sell it.

Those complaints can go right to the circular file after whatever perfunctory acknowledgement they wish to provide. There are a plethora of stations that don’t run news operations. There is nothing that states if your station had one that it must continue in perpetuity, regardless of economic factors. The realities of the ad economy are harsh. Viewers have more choices, the revenue pie gets split more ways, and something’s gonna give. Does it suck for some viewers? Yep. For the hard-working people laid off? Double yep. That is always true with any cutbacks in any industry. But life is rough. If there is some bottomless-pocketed investor out where, and who meets the unrealistic standards people put forth, who is it? Who is going to pump that kind of money into let’s just say the Allen portfolio? What would be their actual return on investment? Much like the contraction of the print news industry, it’s a disconcerting change to people who lived a long time with a different reality. But that world? It’s gone.