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I'll say what I said on Discord about this: it's important to look at this as a digital product being simulcast on TV, instead of "they changed the news to look like this." The traditional newscast was, in essence, canceled, and the time filled with a streaming show. "But this looks bad! It won't get good ratings!" you may say... That's kind of the point? If people want "traditional" news, they can switch over to KSNF and watch most of the same content presented differently. This does not exist to get #1 ratings on TV. It exists to sell OTT targeted advertising to people who, at this point, are used to seeing this format, however "cheap" it looks. I would not be surprised to see this roll out to more Nexstar duopoly markets.

More likely: someone said/thought they changed the master rundown template but did not successfully change the master rundown template.

If this really was as sudden of a change as we're led to believe, then I'd imagine a successor just isn't an immediate priority. Vacation time and such are weird in the summer, so if they do want to give her a co-anchor, they may just wait until the fall.

someone cued the wrong file

that’s great that you’re expressing your opinion. So was I, though, I didn’t feel the need to write a paragraph explaining how expressing opinions works. Back to Bill — he’s not “that bad already”. Watch last week’s newscasts leading up to the announcement. Watch his interview on Good Morning America. Not knowing there’s a health issue, he just comes off at times a guy in his 70s who’s likely nearing retirement and, like anyone in their 70s, not as sharp as they were 10, 20, 30 years ago. “Gracefully gone into the sunset” - think of the message that sends to millions of Americans and their families dealing with this disease. Diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s and still feeling great and able to work — doesn’t matter. Just go off into the sunset and give up doing what you love. It’s a great thing Bill is doing and it’s great that ABC is supporting him, in my opinion.

This is absurd. There will come a point he cannot do even that reporting and when it comes, it will end. But having lost multiple family members to the ravages of dementia, I can say with painful first-hand experience that were there someone of a comparable familiarity to Mr. Ritter to those relatives, it might have eased the early pain and fear momentarily. Understanding what's happening and realizing the diagnosis itself is not an immediate sentence to be banished from the world they knew. The immediate isolation while they retain the memories and the ability to communicate is devastating. Reports on Alzheimer's will be hard to watch for many. Hell, I've been through it and they'd be hard for me, triggering painful memories. But it's important that we understand that there is still so much value someone with a disease like that can bring even if their decline is inevitable. While I'm sure ABC, or any network, would love complete overlap between shows, the reality is, especially over weekends, that people are not tuning in to each broadcast and paying the kind of attention folks on board like this do.

His reports will surely be infrequent, his will be a unique perspective, said reports will be scripted with as many takes as needed to record, and if he does appear at the desk for a de-brief, everyone involved, including the viewer, will be aware of the circumstances and be understanding. I really don't get the hate. So what if it's only a year or two? I'm not sure I'd be putting money on many local news staples to be viable beyond that timeline, so why should the expectations for this to be any different? As for the reading of notes, that's being mature and proactive. He knows he's not 100%, so he's doing something that helps him retain info better. Hell, many healthy newscasters that are half his age should be taking more notes, these days. Similarly, folks are within their right to express the opinion that you're coming off as more than a little callous, especially as someone who is almost completely unaffected by this. None of us outside of market #1 are regular WABC viewers, so Bill going on local TV and trying something unique like this isn't going to ruin or make our day. If he, his bosses, co-workers, family, and (die-hard) viewers don't have a problem with this, then it is kind of a you problem.

Has KODE always had separate(ish) newscasts since they consolidated with KSNF? These shows are much more efficient and cost-effective than full blown newscasts. Hosts run their own graphics, roll their own video, etc. And the components are likely a fraction of the cost of traditional broadcast equipment. (PTZ cameras, podcast mics, Elgato controllers, etc...) The cost is high for what they blew up to replace them with. But the return on investment may be just enough to be a second voice in an ecosystem Nexstar created for themselves through relentless cost-cutting and consolidation. It's not prime time, but it's certainly better than simulcasting or giving up local content altogether...

Chicago's Morning News almost sounds like the newscast WGN titled back in the day.

A stark reminder of the fragility of life, just 2 weeks prior he was alive and well. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVcAtGYEhWJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== His final message to the world couldn't be more fitting; "Now more than ever we need to promote and protect the truth! It's an obligation we all have. I'm still pretty sad he's no longer here.. . He was in such good spirits just two weeks before, definitely a tragic loss and gone too soon.

It makes sense given they refer to WPWR as 'FOX Chicago +'. But they better not get rid of the '32' again...

Could the "Fox Chicago" branding be making a comeback?

Brenda Blackmon paying tribute! Another legend I wish were still anchoring. Wish another station picked her up after she left PIX 11. Especially Fox 5.

Ernie Anastos truly left a lasting mark on New York journalism. His work at both ABC 7 and FOX 5 set a standard for storytelling and professionalism that few have matched. The discussion here reflects on his career and influence, showing how much he meant to viewers and colleagues alike. May he rest in peace.

I remember watching on Fox 5 with Dari Alexander when I was younger. I’m won’t tell you my age but I’m under 25.

One of the best news anchors New York ever had.

Haven’t on WNBC. All the rest. Previously at WPRI in Providence

This one is really sad. He was a legendary news figure in this great city.

That looked like nothing was wrong with him. It just shows how in a sudden instant, things could change and could be taken away from us, just like that. Ugh.

Former longtime FOX 5 anchor Ernie Anastos has died at the age of 82. He also worked at ABC 7 prior to FOX 5 as stated in that thread. As many of us know, he was one of the remaining living legends in New York news, and his storytelling made a big impact on the entire Tri-State area. May he rest in peace.