CircleSeven

B&C stated this afternoon that Today Show newsreader Natalie Morales will replace Billy Bush as the new host of Access Hollywood.

Sinclair's NTV/KFXL deal from the Pappas trust is done. They'll probably announce the completion of this sale tomorrow morning (4/4) when they release their Q1 earnings. The only station that's left in the trust is WLGA in Opelika, AL. And that deal is awaiting consummation.

Even though the 2011 gfx update (8/8) was indeed a Monday launch, the 2008 graphics (5/24) and the 2011 set debut (9/24) were Saturday launches.

From Feder tonight, Ron is not happy about that "ad" being posted.

Larry made his on-air return to the big-7, on the 4pm show today.

And now Daily Variety states that Kelly won't be returning to the program, until at least this coming Tuesday.

Well look at this. After leaving World News Now almost two weeks ago, Reena Ninan has apparently joined CBS News as a correspondant and will also anchor on its online streaming channel, CBSN.

So the Tegna buyout casualties have now expanded to the First Coast.... FTV is saying this morning that WTLV/WJXX morning weather anchor Steve Smith and longtime reporter Roger Weeder are taking early retirement packages.

New M&A regarding Sinclair tonight. They're acquiring KJZZ from Larry H. Miller Communications for $6.5M. It'll become a sister to KUTV.

I don't think this 'voluntary' early retirement package is going to help in eliminating their debt. Even a possibility of a string of layoffs won't alleviate any of the mountainous amount of debt.

More from Feder this morning. He states that Insiders are saying that Elgas is the "odds-on favorite" to succeed Alan at 4pm. He also stated that Judy could also "be in line" to replace Linda at 4pm, but as he pointed out "that’s still a long way off".

Another Tegna departure...... WLBZ's weather anchor Steve McKay is leaving the station to devote more time to his ministry. His last weather report will be aired this Sunday.

It looks like some more folks are taking that buyout. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution states that WXIA's weekend anchor Keith Whitley, educational reporter Donna Lowry and reporter Kevin Rowson are taking Tegna buyouts. It also stated that four photographers at the station are also taking buyouts. And longtime KHOU reporter Doug Miller is also taking a buyout, too.

Now Feder is saying this morning that WFLD could be implementing a new 5pm newscast this summer. Should this come into fruition, this would be the last Fox O&O to implement an early evening broadcast.

I'm surprised Gray didn't fight for the CW on KCRG (despite having MyNet on its .2).

Feder posted that WMAQ is going to launch it's hourly 4pm newscast this August. And here's the shocker. Feder also stated that Extra is expected to be moved to WFLD.

And yet another Hearst station is adding news to replace the cancelled Vieira. This time, its KMBC. The new hourly 4pm show will debut on April 25th. And to follow WESH's footsteps, it'll also extend its primetime 9pm show that airs on KCWE to a full-hour. That'll also be implemented on the same day.

And here's more from last night's WZDX's launch.

So they made these new graphics and logo, but the news studio & anchors are still outsourced. Cheap.

Exactly five months after it was announced, the FCC has greenlighted the deal of the NTV stations. The Pappas trust is about to wind down.......

Look like we might have Rich King's replacement. The last station in town that never had a female sports anchor is about to get one. TVSpy posted this morning that Channel 9 has hired Lauren Magiera as a new sports anchor & reporter.

Digital First Media closed on its acquisition of the last two Freedom papers yesterday. And as a result of the completion of the sale, its editor from the Register and 70 other workers were laid off. At last. The "lit torch" has finally been extinguished. Freedom.

Big follow-up regarding KLAF/KADN. After almost a year investing in new equipment & hiring personnel, the station will formally implement its new in-house news operation tomorrow night at 5pm.

According to the guide, WCVB airs Svengoolie on a delay, from 11pm-1am. KCCI & KETV also delays it one hour.

Well, she's not heading to NBC. Macedo is joining ABC News to anchor World News Now & America This Morning.