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Not sure where this Payton to NY thing keeps coming from. Realistically, it’s probably for his wife’s career that they’ll move back. He’s not getting mornings, though I’d have no objections. They’re not splitting morning from 10 am. Payton is not being stashed in Philly until someone departs in NY. To his credit, it appears he didn’t burn bridges and was sent off with good wishes. If they found themselves with several openings it might position him as a candidate. The most plausible scenario is some kind of stronger role if by some chance both Payton and Brittany had parental leave at the same time and they needed temporary help. Or somewhere down the line Karen retires and they elevate Brittany to mornings creating a weekend opening. Otherwise, possibly a gig at another station and/or following the “Nor’easter Nick” model of creating a business independent of TV.

Perhaps some people like a relatable person who provides substantial detail and explanation behind the forecasting for those interested in those kinds of things. He was among the first to start explaining how Superstorm Sandy could actually do the highly unusual “hard left turn” it ultimately took even when the official forecasts were primarily showing something different. Perhaps people have a very different assessment than yours.

Apparently Chris Sowers announced on his Facebook live last night that he and his family are moving back to a South Jersey in June. Curious if 6 would welcome him back. They could give him weekday mornings and promote Karen to 10am and 12noon. Alternatively, give him back weekend mornings, send Peyton to WABC (as it’s a matter of time before Sam is completely out the door).

Hallelujah. One less shopping channel to deal with

It looks like there are more changes coming to WFTX and WXCW (this is after looking at various TV schedules, mainly from OnTVTonight, TV Passport, and Zap2it via Gracenote). On the same day WINK brings back their 11am news on WFTX (they used to do one on WXCW some 15 years ago), WINK will transition all of their newscasts that have originated on WXCW since 2007 (except for Sunday mornings at 9am) to WFTX. This means that WFTX will be the exclusive home to WINK's 7am-12pm, 6:30-7, and 10-11pm newscasts, plus weekend mornings (6-9am Sat. and 10-11:30am Sun.) and 10pm. It also looks like WXCW will transition to mainly an entertainment schedule (outside of Sunday mornings at 9am, as I mentioned) and will even include MyNetworkTV programming on weeknights from 10pm-12am after The CW's primetime programs, meaning it would become a dual CW/MNT affiliate.

One of these days, Nexstar is going to lose the game they invented. At this rate, its a matter of WHEN a network pulls their affiliation when they balk at the rates and a pay TV provider permanently drops them when they demand too much money. They'll be as toxically radioactive as the former Fox Sports RSNs (which will finally die this year under MainStreet).

Regardless of timing, the idea that someone chooses something that fits their individual needs/desires/ambitions is entirely understandable. Yes, Sam had a good thing going, but making a move is not a sign of dissatisfaction with that good thing. At that point in his individual life, that was a good move. And wisely, he didn’t burn bridges. That doesn’t always give you a way back, but it sure as heck is a good strategy.

In the lyrics of Semisonic, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. What makes Times Square fascinating in part is how spaces keep getting used and reused.

And I don't mean to hate on anybody's paycheck. Companies are greedy (they pay some MMJs minimum wage), so I don't blame top talent for milking companies for all their worth. $300K + anchor salaries however are getting harder to justify in the era of sinking viewership -- especially when producers and reporters do all the work on the local level. Accordingly, I understand Scripps elevating MMJ salaries and making the anchors do more than read, but eliminating the position isn't the solution IMO. High paid anchors better start turning stories (if they aren't already) or doing anything they can to contribute further to newsrooms to TRY and extend their shelf life.

Not everyone has the same desires and needs in life, nor the same risk tolerance. It’s completely understandable why he’d choose to take the opportunity to lead a show himself. Some people might choose to stay put, also a perfectly rational decision. Sometimes you take a swing and it works out, sometimes not.

Technically, it won't. KTVD is one of the stations Nexstar has already announced it'll be divesting.

NBC9 KUSA and MyDenver20 KTVD (under TEGNA) with FOX31 KDVR and CW2 KWGN (under Nexstar) all under one roof. Half the Mile High City TV Market blanketed by Nexstar. YEAH, THAT'LL BE THE DAY! Let's hope that day never happens!