Leaderboard

You need to look at yourself in the mirror and realize the things that you're saying isn't in line with what the vast majority of the people on this forum is thinking. And I will tell you this, by calling on staff to have an ignore button is very childish of you because you clearly cannot handle a healthy public discourse or anybody who has a much different opinion than you, that type of attitude was what nearly drove me out of the BP Discord server, you need to learn how to agree to disagree on things, you have your own opinons and I have my own opinions, EVERYBODY on this forum has their own opinions but to go out there and just say "Oh I need to ignore this person because his opinion is not in line with mine" that's childish. I recommend either taking time away from this and getting yourself mentally right or focus on the other aspects of TV News that you're passionate about and just stay in that lane because mentally I don't think you're a good fit for at least this portion of the forum (or even on the Discord server for that matter), you can react with all the angry's and the haha's you want to but that's just the truth. And oh by the way there's no such thing as being cheerleaders for this company or that company or a hater of this company or that company it's just that we're calling it the way we all in here collectively see it, whether it's a good opinion, bad opinion, etc, it doesn't matter so for you to label people as "Hearst lovers", "Tegna haters", "Scripps haters" I think is also childish and you need to take that out of your vocabulary too. That's all I got to say if people want to gang up and attack me be my guest but I'm not going to change my approach just because people try to convince that their opinion is better than mine or anyone else's I will gladly respect everyone else's opinions as long as you respect mine and we can all have a good healthy discourse about subjects related to broadcasting because at the end of the day we're all broadcast nerds and we're all here to have fun and have a good lively conversation about things, if that can't happen why would I or anyone else be here partaking on this forum or even on the Discord for that matter.

If you really wanted to see a show, imagine if theyd have been sold to Sinclair, Apollo or Allen.

So, basically, you think Hearst, wasted MONEY on the "unnecessary" purchase of WBBH and the LMA of WZVN? Imagine saying that to the face of the Waterman family in 2023 when they sold them off. Hearst is more reliable. Also... At least Hearst isn't dumb and wanted to trash the stations.

WAKA Selma/Montgomery is launching a new half-hour morning newscast at 9 a.m. starting later this morning, and combining it with Daytime Jeopardy! at 9:30 a.m. will replace Dr. Phil in that timeslot as today's the day Dr. Phil officially goes away from syndication. https://www.waka.com/2025/09/03/action-8-news-expanding-again-with-launch-of-9am-newscast/ EDIT: Adding Seattle here... Today starts an interesting new era at KCPQ/KZJO (looking up TitanTV and OnTVTonight schedules for this information). First off, it looks like today's the day Good Day Seattle expands to 11 a.m., though they've cut the 4:30 a.m. half-hour as they promised in the summer news announcement of news expansion at KCPQ/KZJO. We already know about the 4-8 p.m. and 10 p.m.-12 a.m. changes at KCPQ. However, over on KZJO, they've turned it into a secondary news station. First, they're adding a 9-11 a.m. repeat of Good Day Seattle from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., then a simulcast of FOX 13's Local Live Desk (straight from the FOX Local service) from 1-4 p.m., and after a short break, a simulcast with KCPQ from 6-8 p.m. before delivering more Seattle News Tonight exclusively for KZJO from 8-10 p.m.

But how will we know what market this is?

Who knows... Maybe our FCC will actually show a backbone like Ajit Pai did by forcing the Sinclair-Tribune merger into an administrative law judge review. Whoever saw that coming? If there's any hope, maybe Chris Ruddy will convince Brendan Carr that all this consolidation is bad and sentence all of this forthcoming consolidation to the same fate... We can only hope...

Also, can we talk about the tantrums and the slurs that a certain person is throwing. Is this how grown people handle things? No amount of talking to people like they're beneath you is gonna make you look good.

This station sounds like the Temu version of Allen Media...or Bayou City Broadcasting to be exact (since DuJuan McCoy sold Bayou City to Allen Media) Sad that it was once LIN's flagship. But it goes to show you that every now and then, a too-big company is better than a crappy station owner who is wiling to let good employees walk just to screw them over if they go against them.

Yes, the networks need to be more fearless and stop worrying about Trump messing with their assets. The assertion however that networks, Fox & Sinclair aside, are biased in favor of Trump is not true. The majority of network news coverage of Trump is (rightfully) negative. There's not a day you don't turn on an evening newscast with red breaking news graphics, ominous theme music, a picture of Trump frowning, and some sort of protest going on. Even if NBC News doesn't go as blowhard as MSNBC you don't walk away with a positive impression of Trump after watching any NBC newscast. I don't think any mainstream news network is trying to paint both sides as equal. Those accusations came up when networks rightfully questioned the previous president's mental agility for office, and held democrats to account for pretending he was okay. Yes one side may be lesser of two evils but EVERY side is subject to media scrutiny.

TV station management is disgusting. If stations are getting rid of long-term anchors and paying talent less because they "no longer move the needle", why do stations care if ex talent goes to other local media? It can't be protection of intellectual property because digital writers and photojournalists typically aren't under contract. It's control and jealousy.

I'm not sure if this should go to either the WCAU NBC 10 thread, the KYW Thread, or the Speculatron 9000 thread, but I kinda thought this one deserves its own. Anyway, September 10th marks 30 years since both WCAU-TV and KYW-TV traded their CBS and NBC affiliations respectively. Channel 10 was sold to NBC and became NBC 10 while KYW became part of CBS and later an O&O of the latter following the merger of CBS and Group W/Westinghouse. This was all the result of a nationwide network affiliation realignment that affected Philadelphia and many other markets as a result of the Rupert Murdoch clan at Fox snagging the NFL away from CBS. This makes me wonder if 'CAU and/or KYW is doing a 30th anniversary retrospective on The Big Switch. I don't think I should expect KYW to do anything on it though since they didn't do so for the 25th anniversary back in 2020.

That is so laughably not what I said at all. Get your head out of the sand. Yeah go ahead and cheer on a bunch of rich fatcats that are content with wasting a quarter of a billion dollars on one station and an LMA. You realize how stupid that sounds? Or that you're defending the fandom's love for a conglomerate that doesn't deserve it? This type of behavior—besides "oooh Tegna bad" "oooh Scripps bad"—is why I don't take the reasonable people such as you in the TV fandom seriously because if it isn't that, it's people either wanting to be forever stuck in 2008 or judging the performances of stations based solely on vibes, like one person in particular on here. And I'm going to call out @Weeters for not having the "ignore this poster" function in LNT, inasmuch as y'all think I'm an extension of him, you couldn't be more wrong.

It’s official. @allendevlin is taking the helm as @cbsnewyork Weekend Evening Anchor.

I mean, it's very well-known and established that the top 3 markets were unaffected.

Did anyone notice that the format of the 11pm show has changed a little bit? The full MCTYW open has been restored naming all of the talent, not just Rick Williams. At the top of the newscast, they quickly tick through some of the top headlines before they go into the Big Story.

25 Years After The Switch This was from five years ago. WCAU was happy because they were going from a third place network to instant number one.

Yeah that was it. Short sweet and to the point. No middle of the vampire hours big festivities.

No I'm not dum dum

It is also worth noting the exclusive option for Hearst to acquire WZVN is at a 2023 base price of $4.46 million, with an annual escalation minimum of $133,800. Source: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f91874e5250018756995d3503e2 - last page I'm curious how quickly they'll acquire it once new ownership rules are in place.

Yeah they would have because they'd have to go up against the McBride's and you'd be saying the same thing you're saying about Hearst being "bullied" out of Fort Myers so you're wrong on that assumption

I have and there is no scale disadvantage for Hearst and no the McBride's cannot bully Hearst out of the market, if anything it's more likely we both bully each other out of the forum before the McBride's bully Hearst out of Fort Myers. Hearst wasn't dumb when they purchased WBBH and the LMA for WZVN they knew what they we're doing I've already said that they knew what they we're doing I don't know how many times, in fact we'd be having the same debate over this had Nexstar and Gray bought WBBH/WZVN. The Waterman's knew that Edith had a goal of getting out of the broadcasting business before her 100th birthday, she did exactly that, there really was no stupidity on either side.

I don't see how Mission doesn't cleanly merge into Nexstar at this point. The pretense of needing a sidecar company would be gone altogether.

At some point during the process involving this deal, the status of WPIX should be resolved (which may well result in the FCC blessing the arrangement).

It's really important to remember that Hearst paid $220M for WBBH and only WBBH. WZVN remains owned by Montclair, and while that LMA likely added to the value of the station, they still do not own it.

There is no scale disadvantage for Hearst, they are fine where they're at, they don't buy stations unless it's for the right station and for the right price. It's not ludicrious that Hearst spent $200M plus to get WBBH/WZVN

Shirtless, with a gigantic q-tip by his side.

The WMYT My12 website is still alive as well. They are now Charlotte’s CW https://www.qcnews.com/my12/

just checked. it redirects now.

That's only like 0.0098% of Hearst family wealth. It ain't shit to them.

I think it's a crazy take, there's no way the McBride's is going to bully Hearst out of the Fort Myers market despite the internal issues that typically comes up in the Fort Myers market. If they have to settle for playing 2nd fiddle to the McBride's so be it, they're used to being in that role in other markets they're in anyway.

If I am Hearst, there is no reason to change anything right now. Let the chaos with the competition happen and capitalize on opportunities that come from it and creatively come up for solutions to challenges it creates. And I say this as someone who drank the Kool-Aid at WINK for several years. Hearst's piece of the revenue pie isn't shrinking. Just two other slices are getting combined. I haven't seen numbers in a long time, in fact, I blocked Darrel Adams on Twitter within days of signing up in 2009 because I didn't want his rating brags to mess with me. But as far as I know, the NBC side has consistently received better ratings than WINK for the last few years. My SWOT analysis for Hearst in Fort Myers Strengths Pre 1996 grandfathered LMA/Time Brokerage deal that makes WBBH/WZVN a unified, efficient operation and 30+ years of operating that way Hearst resources that reduce operating costs and benefit the product: centralized traffic, billing, accounting, graphics hub, DC bureau, national investigative team, etc ABC and NBC are (for now) far more stable and in less turmoil than CBS Fort Myers has a reputation as a market with higher than average HUT levels. And WBBH tends to over perform on NBC flagship events like the Olympics Speculation: Better leverage in negotiating retransmission as a multi-market company for WBBH so a revenue advantage there Subjective: Stronger digital presence and adapted to the 21st century far earlier and faster than WINK Subjective: By far a superior creative services team and long-term marketing strategy Subjective: They always operated more confidently. WINK's newsroom culture during my time there can best be summed up as "competition monitor bedwetters" Subjective: They didn't get go off the air for days during Hurricane Ian Weaknesses In-market scale disadvantage English language only operation, losing out on a respectable percent of the market and Spanish language TV viewership has lost much less of its audience than English TV. TV and digital only sales packages Limited in-market partnership opportunities with other media outlets (radio, print, new digital) WZVN's history of underperforming in the market Opportunities Sampling from Fox 4 News viewers when that brand disappears (somewhat limited by having .1s unavailable for 7-9am and 10pm) Even though they just rebranded, they now have the perception of being the stable, consistent operation in the market Businesses who do not like WINK/WXCW and have sworn off advertising with them who bought ads on WFTX may move money they spent there to WBBH/WZVN Big changes elsewhere presents the opportunity to pursue subtle changes to be more efficient under their unified brand (test the waters of simulcasting) Partners across the state on big news event (WESH, WPBF) Threats TV's great decline, especially as baby boomers age and die , while Southwest Florida grows and sees more younger people move there in demographics who don't watch much linear TV Corporate budget life problems: If Hearst makes cuts, those cuts will likely be consistent across the company Keeping a news intensive operation fully staffed as fewer people pursue TV as as career or burn out faster Diluted product with dueling AM, 6pm, 11pm newscasts Hurricanes, alligators, elderly drivers, and "a Florida Man" - the most dangerous parts of Florida

I actually think they're #1 in most cities now. From the three you mention, WLWT has done better over the years thanks to WCPO and WKRC's misfortunes, WAPT has become solid even if its not #1, and I think KHBS is the market leader there, if not close to it. WBBH is the market leader, which probably made it attractive for Hearst to get. Here in Florida, WESH is a VERY STRONG second in Orlando, and WPBF is now the market leader in WPB. I know y'all want them to sell to the McBrides, but then... that's how competition fades. I'll give Hearst a chance. They're one of the better national media companies out there IMHO.

The FCC is "modernizing" its rules due to changes in the economy and viewer trends. The old saying still rings true "adapt or die." The industry is recognizing this. I would hardly call the incumbent FCC leadership political hacks because of this. Change was going to come regardless of who happens to sit at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. You can call it political but the same could be said for any administration. Back to Scripps, although they did give WFTX a new set fairly recently, the station is severely neglected. To see them divested is not a surprise to me. We will see what happens regarding its news department. Perhaps Sun Broadcasting has other plans that is best discussed on a speculation forum. Although it could go that way, I don't think it's 100% certainty that this is the end of its own news dept. I'll say that much.

In all fairness, Fox 4 News is a nonstarter in the market. Scripps decimated the station. While only two tv owners in the market is concerning from an oligopoly POV, from the viewers perspective, take this for what it's worth... IMO despite Gulf Coast News being market leader, WINK is the better news product.

I'm gonna say this with all due respect. The idea of suggesting that Hearst would shut down an ABC and NBC station is, for lack of a better term, insanity. Yes, what WINK, Sun, whatever you wanna call them, is doing is insane and there is no reason for someone to have that much blatant control over a market. However, Hearst knew or should have known going in how powerful WINK was and how weak WFTX might be. Also, suggesting they sell WBBH to the McBrides is just as insane. Hearst is 2nd and 3rd place in several cities. Should we expect a sale of WLWT, WAPT and KHBS next?

It seems that the CBS Evening News is slowly returning to its previous format... The headlines are back at the beginning of the newscast. output.mp4

But... but... the neighborhood reporters....

No, no, and no. This is a play by WINK and partner companies to increase revenue (both advertising and retransmission) in the market with as little operational cost as possible, and eliminate a competitor. Maybe a few MMJs will get carried over. But the realistic outcome is WINK newscasts currently on WXCW will be moved to WFTX or they'll be simulcast on both WXCW and WFTX. One other thing of note with this deal is Jim Schwartzel, the president of Sun Broadcasting, is a candidate for a U.S. House seat in 2026. Running in the crowded 19th District Republican primary to replace Byron Donalds who is running for Governor.

Paperwork is up on the acquisition of the Allen stations: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f9198d1eb470198e7e7b5b10b27 WTHI, WLFI and WTVA are clean. As long as the 8th Circuit ruling holds, they would be okay in Huntsville with WAFF and WAAY (1st and 4th place), KFVS and WSIL(+KPOB) (1st and 3rd place), WFIE and WEVV (1st and 4th place), and KATC and KADN (2nd and 3rd place). WIFR is low-power so WREX is not an issue. The red lights, in my opinion, are Fort Wayne and Montgomery. I would put a condition that one station must be divested in those markets as the failing station waiver shouldn't create a triopoly when alternatives exist. In Fort Wayne, there's an easy out - trade WISE or WFFT to Nexstar (along with WBKI in Louisville) for something that creates major issues for them in the Tegna acquisition (such as KTHV). In Montgomery, most likely they would have to either turn off WIYC, or sell it to a religious broadcaster, as the other incumbent there (Bahakel) also has issues. One thing I could also see is KFVS put a satellite up on 3.2 to improve coverage for CBS in the northern part of the market.

Chris Ruddy should be dismissed as a crank just like the Free Press. And if he is a libertarian, then that says a lot about the movement. None of it good.

Huh... interesting. WFTX and WXCW together? You know WFTX's news department would go away in favor of WINK's.

I mean, at least they found one of the few local broadcast owners left? I'm curious what resources Sun Broadcasting has, though.

Allen is destroying the value of an asset... by destroying EBITDA and the 6.3-8.1 multiple it would get normally for the stations - so they can sell it to ___________ for... 2.1-3.9 multiple a now distressed asset would get?! *facepalm* Why when Allen can simply JSA or SSA to Gray/Sinclair/Nexstar/Scripps/Graham and call it a day? Or sell at the top. Seriously. Intentional destruction of asset value is illegal. Byron owns nothing, his creditors own everything. In February 2025 he rolled debt over, so in the middle of an active asset value destruction he borrowed money? This would mean he committed fraud or his lender was stupid, and lenders are rarely stupid or lose money on purpose. His loans come with covenants that force certain things to happen. His sale of the stations could be from a loan covenant clause he had to abide by -- ie $x value of assets will be sold if Y happens in Z-period etc. At minimum it would open Byron Allen to fraud and breach of fiduciary duties claims from his creditors. He would have pierced the corporate veil and exposed anything he remotely controls to be ceased. Illegal actions are often not protected by bankruptcy. He could also go to jail. Officers down the chain from Byron could be sued for knowingly abetting breach of duties by creditors clawing back every red cent they loaned. Allen is stupid, but doubtful he's that stupid because the above is not an actual strategy

You have to wonder if companies like Allen have been making these moves on purpose simply so the stations can be so far gone, that the acquirer can legally acquire them with a failed station waiver. It seems the only innovation left in broadcasting is the boardroom manipulation to squeeze out any penny on the working level before cashing out and letting someone else deal with the carcass...

And would also think that instead of jettisoning local meteorologists, Allen would have taken a cue from the competition and integrated their local experience, as applicable, to weather situations- like Fox Weather has done with their O&O Mets. Alas, Allen does not think logically.

Agree with you on the channel basically being dead, but you'd think that having actual competition (AccuWeather, WeatherNation, and Fox Weather) would get the channel to rise to the occasion.

While I agree, let's be honest- The most likely buyers are a) Nexstar/Mission (cue the outrage), or b) Gray, who has competing stations in just about every Allen market and would certainly consolidate them into their existing (and statistically more successful) operations. There may be some single-sell options out there... For instance with KIMT, Forum has been building out their TV operation into South Dakota, and might see value having a station in Southern MN (since they own the Rochester Post-Bulletin, they could position news sharing like they do in Fargo), or Hubbard (who owns KAAL) could see a duopoly as advantageous... Not trying to speculate, but rather suggest there are some alternate options on the eventual fire-sale game board. The "C" in TWC is dead... The app and website are the only assets of value. People don't watch for Local On The 8's when you can get Local Whenever You Want on your smartphone. TWC has also slept through quite a few breaking weather events in the last couple of years. I know what you're thinking- "But what about Jim Cantore?" He will be fine- either go to a network, cable news outlet, or pull a James Spann of some sort.

thats a big no. looks cheap. Particularly whan judged against the other big FOX O&Os thats a badly designed re-fresh. Typical for Chicago stations. The Chicago stations always get shanked whilst NY and LA get nicer updates.

The biggest difference by far is WCVB kept the diagrid "slants" in the graphics. WBBH/WZVN's are def boxier with elements of diagrid. Even the animated backgrounds are different -- looks like WBBH/WZVN kept the current animated backgrounds with the bluey/yellows, and WCVB is more modern with the "stripey" things on the left side there... With that being said and from what I can see, WCVB's is by far more easier to read and easier on the eyes IMO...

Why not go back to the longest-running name, Final Word? Also, with a name like that, it should be a nightly program instead of just on Sundays.