Leaderboard

They're not getting a new set, they're just getting new studio lighting. Since this set and graphics package was one of the "parting gifts" Tribune left their stations before handing the keys to Nexstar, I wonder how much longer these stations (WJW, WGHP, WGN, etc...) can remain status quo. (photo is from Neil McNeill's WGHP FOX 8 facebook page)

It almost like running news departments or at least starting up one is cheaper than it was 30 years ago. Especially with everything cloud-based technology, Live U backpacks, and Virtual Sets its almost like you create a digital friendly tv news operation instead of what it used to be. I remember when I was working for KMSG I pretty much was never in a newsroom I was remote I could even work in another city.

On the heels of ex-WTVA chief Matt Laubhan launching Mississippi Live Weather, ABC 33/40 chief meteorologist James Spann is launching a 24-hour statewide streaming weather service, Alabama Weather Network, set to launch on August 11. Spann will remain with ABC 33/40, doing weather for its 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. newscasts as well as severe weather coverage as needed, while also appearing on ALWN. The venture is a co-partnership between Spann, hotel industry executive (and co-partner on Spann’s Alabama Weather Blog) Bill Murray, former ABC 33/40 meteorologist John Oldshue, and business and personal finance expert (and former Birmingham Barons president/GM) Bill Hardekopf.

Plus, other variables at play here. I doubt Martha was "assigned" to fill in... Witt and Linsey both wanted the weekend off, and Martha may have very well stepped up so ABC could give both the weekend they asked for off. I've done that a time or two myself when there's nothing going on- helps out coworkers, puts extra cash in my pocket, and usually also buys some goodwill for when I want to take time off. Point is, I wouldn't read too much into this unless they drag Sawyer or Gibson back to the news desk.

Spann has said many times before Sinclair has given him the freedom to do what he wants to do (hints why they don’t do the CODE RED ALERT). This has probably been in the works for a number of years, but didn’t have the backing or tech to do this full time. Now when James does say he is over with 33/40, I would like to see him do weather for smaller community stations (think public access channels, low power stations, or maybe the last ma and pa radio stations).

Yeah. She's known as a diva who's on TV strictly to want to be on TV and nothing else. I won't watch her as much anyways since my allegiance is still on WSVN 7. Unrelated: Stacia Naquin is coming back home to Columbus. This time... to WBNS 10TV. https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/television/2025/07/15/stacia-naquin-columbus-ohio-10tv-news/85205481007/ Also unrelated: Sara Knox has been KIMT's "Chief" for a few months now, with Aaron White departing for WBNS. I put it in quotes because it was unofficial. Today, it became official. She's the new Chief and considering she's been there for 8 years (outside of a year-long hiatus to work at KUTV), its well deserved. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1361726218711352&id=100046219613394

For some reason this comment infuriated me.

Based on the "audience" numbers for Merit Street, it does not seem many wanted to find him. Some people just don't know how to read a room. If he has money to burn, that's his problem.

I believe it is KPIX's choice to use the newsroom during the midday newscast, because at night there is CBS 24/7 PrimeTime with Elizabeth made from the VR/AR studio at the same time that the local 5pm and 6pm editions of KPIX air (also made in the AR/VR studio, but different studio)

I love the historical stuff on the right! I wish more stations did stuff like that.

Worst-kept secret!

I think WKBN has been short-staffed enough on weekends that they don’t bother with having somebody for WYTV. For a while, the weekend weatherperson would do the weather at both WKBN AND WYTV, so it’s not surprising. Honestly, I think Nexstar may say “Screw It” and pull the plug on separate WYTV newscasts.

Meteorologist Amanda Pappas, previously of WTSP, has joined WPLG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMG45GqOiJQ/

Is this a side effect of CanCon rules?

KIRO 1972 news:

Caroline Goggin is pregnant, so maybe Leland is auditioning to be her maternity leave replacement.

Same with WPLG Miami (but Eastern time), come August 4th.

Exactly this. He tried to expand from an hour talk show and apparently nobody wanted to subscribe to his channel (or give out their email address to stream it on the TBN website). If someone wants to be the fool to part with their money to keep Dr. Phil afloat, they know exactly what they're doing at this point and that like most investments, it will likely turn out badly. We haven't heard the side of the creditors yet, and I'm sure they're not going to encourage people to trust him again.

It’s probably staffing or studio maintenance. KPIX used to use the Newsroom on the weekend morning editions but recently started going all AR/VR now It’s only the weekdays where you only see the Newsroom flash cam desk used on the Noon Newscasts. Since the newsroom is empty, they have been shifting to the side of the set to look away from the news room which was the former “10pm NEWS NOW” shot. Still Not sure why the Noon show is not AR/VR yet unless both studios are in use for the CBS 24/7 Stream.

They're back to virtual

One of Houston’s bests is returning to TV at a rival station. Ilona Carson spent 16 years at KTRK ABC13 before leaving in 2021. Later this month, she’ll be the new morning anchor at KHOU11 with Jacob Rascon (another channel 13 alum). https://www.instagram.com/p/DMF5JsVALEP/?igsh=MXM0cnlmbXg5c3g3MA==

I've never seen Martha Raddatz on WNT

Well, Sinclair is buying several Deerfield stations...all in markets where they already own stations. https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-1-deal-7-07-million/ These include KNSN in Reno, WSTR in Cincinnati, and KBTV in Beaumont. Failed station waivers, perhaps? KBTV was "subsumed" by KFDM and "Fox 4" lives there now.

Congratulations to Jessica. It seemed like she was the favored internal candidate as she was doing it three nights during the week while she was still doing weekends. I'm still surprised that it took them half a year to make it official, and it makes me wonder how seriously they might have been looking at external options. Not a fan of the solo anchor thing, especially at 11pm.

Jessica Moore will officially replace Maurice DuBois as 5pm anchor, effective immediately

Eva Pilgrim got the job. She obviously left ABC after they reworked GMA3 and started using regular GMA hosts. They've been running promos welcoming him to the team, including one with Jessica Moore. Seemed odd, I haven't seen that sort of welcome on other stations.

That fits. A number of NBC O&Os and affiliates seem to repeat their late news after Late Night with Seth Meyers, followed by repeats of that day's Nightly News.

I tried giving the show a chance. Half an episode was enough for me. This show was absolutely unnecessary.

Over at Fox Sports, its FS1 cancelled three of its daytime talk shows--Breakfast Ball, The Facility, and Speak, and also Speak's lead host Joy Taylor is no longer with the network. All three shows were the brainchild of now-recently axed content executive Charlie Dixon, who was at the center of a sexual-harassment lawsuit filed against him, the network, Skip Bayless, and Taylor. https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/joy-taylor-out-fs1-breakfast-ball-speak-facility-canceled.html