Weeters

WTMJ and WGBA got it (Well, the weird 30 minute version at least). I heard KTNV was supposed to get it eventually but it doesn't look like they have (yet). The WTMJ version at least has adopted the new graphics and virtual set

They'll probably all get it now that they're cutting back on the local angle, which is the only thing the local stations could have fought corporate about. Can't really argue "we don't have the resources to produce this" when all you're doing is inserting cut-ins. I get the hunch this is a response to "Daily Blast Live".

I doubt "Launch a standalone newscast on our Tuscon FOX affiliate" is very high on TEGNA's to-do list. Just being honest here. I wouldn't expect it to happen any time soon, if ever.

All discussion about the set update has been moved here: https://forums.tvnewstalk.net/index.php?threads/rock-studio-1a-and-cocktail-hour-studio.16639/

Heard this a while ago. The speculation was mostly that the smaller market stations (i.e. the ex-Journal stations that got virtual sets) were being upgraded in a fashion that would make them appealing to buyers while as little time and money as possible was spent upgrading them (hence the virtual sets). The latest news of job cuts may also be an attempt to slim down some stations enough that other companies that already have hubbed operations like Master Control, Traffic, and Graphics can come in and take control of a station without worrying about having to lay off employees or go through that whole thing.

Glad someone finally brought up the elephant in the room. It sure has been a long time since Scripps rolled out new graphics!!!! How haven't we had this conversation yet?? Don't hold your breath. When Scripps gets new graphics they will more than likely appear on WFTS first since that's where their hub is.

I know WTMJ retained their graphics department when the merger went through, and kept the arrangement where one of their artists did stuff for KTNV. It looks like that is about to come to an end, because WTMJ and WTVF were the only two real "graphics departments" left in the company (most of the other Journal stations had an art director and maybe some production people who could make an OTS or monitor graphic).

Good luck firing a computer in Colorado...

Janet Hundley has “resigned” from her position as News Director at WTMJ. http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2017/12/29/nd-out-in-milwaukee This comes not long after the station dropped back to 4th place at 10pm. Janet was hired by Journal prior to the Scripps merger when the station was having similar ratings issues. I have a suspicion that the fall from grace after she managed to turn the ratings around have more to do with Scripps corporate and not decisions she was making. Their content has suffered a lot lately. Who wants to bet the "digital" guy gets the bump up like at other Scripps properties?

I'm sitting here scratching my head as to why they'd change the callsign to begin with (who cares??) and why Eric (who's clearly a huge TV news nerd) would try to grab the -LD variant of an existing -TV.

New graphics discussion is going on here. Also, it's a completely different new package, not the KXTV/WTSP package.

Certain parts, yes. The dynamic lower thirds and the designs of the fullscreens, but the backgrounds and animations are definitely "inspired" by the Scripps graphics The first scene of the weather open is a dead giveaway.

How has WISC's knockoff of the Scripps package not come up?

There’s a reason it’s called “Tower Tee Golf.” (The reason is their tower is on the land.)

The Robinson got replaced with the 206B YEARS ago. KTNV did indeed debut the chopper thay they had 3D renders of, but it was months after they started promoting it.

WTAE replaced that style desk when they got their new set. They had that little railing behind the desk too. So, if I had to guess...

Stations tap ex-talent for random stuff like this all the time. WTMJ hired former Health Reporter (back when that was a thing) Kimberly Kane to do the "Every Day Health" campaign they do with Froedert Hospital. I doubt these spots are enough to even get her a CBS email address. If she does make more of a return, I doubt it will be to the anchor desk.

TEGNA struggling to find investors is a good sign the downward spiral is starting to reach top speed. If big companies like TEGNA start selling off, they're just going to inflate the other remaining companies. Eventually those companies will start to struggle and... Well, you can guess what happens. If nobody is buying, we're just going to see stations shut down. Like it or not, TV is dying and the only thing keeping it afloat are companies like Sinclair who are still in a buying mood.

This. Didn't we already have a "localized" news wheel diginet? Granted, TouchVision was misguided to target "millennials", but still... This seems like an interesting idea, but I'm a bit confused who the market is for carrying this network. Diginets like WeatherNation "work" because it's able to be localized without needing any additional staff. Like the products sold in diginet infomercials, it's very much "SET IT and FORGET IT!" The core of the LNN concept seems to be operating a local news department, which most diginet-happy stations don't have the budget for. I can't imagine many existing news-producing stations buying into this format when there are dozens of other diginets out there with stronger programming. I don't see the generic "regional" headlines in place of local news being much of a draw for viewers. MI News 26 and NewsChannel Nebraska are two unique operations, too, so I'm not sure why they're being compared and brought up. NCN is NOT a full time "news wheel" and heavily focuses on local sports, which is apparently working out well enough for them that they can now buy brand new production trucks to produce these broadcasts. Also, I have a hunch the "affiliates" already signed onto this are NCN and a certain independent station in Wichita that already has about 16 subs on it. Would I like to see this succeed? Absolutely. I just don't know if it's going to work in this day and age. People already have dwindling trust in the "media" in general, and slapping a generic "local news" channel between the ones airing reruns of I Love Lucy and Laugh In just doesn't seem like a good move.

If enough ND's or GM's refused to air the "must" runs, the company would probably just give up. They couldn't fire everybody and it would send a message to corporate that it was a bad idea (and GM's getting together to complain about something until it goes away is a thing that HAS happened in the past.) But these people work for Sinclair. They're probably more concerned with finding a new job and not burning bridges than they are about fighting running Boris' Rant.

Set discussion moved to the existing set thread.

The fact that people run in here every couple months with "I THINK SCRIPPS IS CHANGING THEIR PACKAGE!!!!!" only to found out that other stations have been doing the same thing for months or years, is testament to how many options this package makes available to stations.

I was told the 30-minute version of The Now that WTMJ has was actually an experimental format, and it seems to be working. Not surprised that Scripps is rolling it out to other stations. I know WGBA also picked it up while retaining Wisconsin Tonight which is a good sign for some other stations (WMAR) who have yet to launch The Now but also have existing successful non-traditional news shows. I'd also not be surprised if some of the existing "Now"s get reformatted to late afternoon/evening 30-minute shows.

TVNT's very own @alaskanews is leaving Scripps and his role as National Correspondent for The Now this Friday. [MEDIA=twitter]884455063221129216[/MEDIA] It was always a little enjoyable to see him on WTMJ after knowing him on here for so many years. Best of luck in whatever you do next, Todd!

I'm going to make a wild guess and say that there are security concerns with doing stuff on the Plaza. There's a reason why they were primarily indoors during election night coverage. The times, they are a'changin'.