CircleSeven

I can't say I didn't see this coming, and the obvious reason behind it. But hey 24994J? I think you called it, Psychic. As for the evenings, while many ABC O&Os out east air news for 35 minutes during the college football season, since it ends way past midnight, WLS airs have the news for a full hour anyway. They probably have a full month of college football left in November but I can't see Phil doing the hourly late news (even when it goes back to 10pm when the college football regular season is done for), get a brief snooze at the station, wake up and get ready for 5am. It's a no brainer that Christensen duties need to added on Sunday Mornings. To me it's way better that way. Having Phil doing that even heavier weekend load, as the Saturday overnight gap in between those shows tightens, is nothing short of an overkill. Also Baca's field reporting on Friday Nights at 10pm need to also cease because of same reasons I'd explained about Phil. Makes me wonder how much sleep do they really get, if they get even enough? As for the EWN name coming on that date, I'll wait until the station make that confirmation. And..... So I make my stance on the stance on the station's music and my reason why the music shouldn't cease, while many others here have made their own "speculation" that the current music might ceased upon the rebrand. While he speculated that the EWN name could come on November 2nd, while there's no confirmation on the article that stated the EWN name would happen on that date. So you can't call that speculation? So in other words, whether y'all call it a soapbox, whether y'all tell me to lighten up, "relax" and "dial it back a little", everybody has speculated so what I stated here, I'm not going to backtrack what I said, whether anyone like it or not, specualation or not. So Take it for what it's worth. ..And take that to the cleaners. LOL.

I know I've stated this many times on this board. But let me reiterated what I said about the sentiment. One can argue, the change of music isn't the reason why folks are watching the news. But for a station that's been using the same theme song, and not using any specific updates from the theme (except for the 2001 morning theme update), it's in the viewer's consciousness who continues to watch the station's newscasts on a daily and consistent basis. What I think Idler & Miles are doing is trying to meddle with that element and try to sneak some element that's been used by the other O&Os. Yes, WLS have been using the ABC O&O Theme in several instances for the last decade, but it has never used on any openings, bumpers or closes in the newscasts. But I just can't see any those themes being used that fit their current content of WLS's newscasts. But recently, there have been several small tweaks to the content, especially those "pop-up" graphics used on a constant basis, i.e. "New at 4", "New at 5", "New at 6", "Breaking News" (even when it's not all that breaking", "Developing Story", "ABC 7 Exclusive", etc. etc. It's almost like they want to tinker with the content so it could possibly well fit with some new elements or possibly fit a possible newer graphics package. Some of y'all say the future is "bright". What kind of bright are you talking about when you strip the historical overtones and try to strip away the already iconic identity, individuality, locality and creativity & style of the station? Anyone can say, "Ah they need a refresh their look, it's getting stale". I'm not debating any graphic or set changes. It'll probably be a hard process of getting a new set, without doing a temp set, probably upstairs at the 3rd floor, where they did their news prior to going downstairs. Anywho, I'm not debating those. But I don't like those new graphics that are highly animated like the new KABC & WTVD graphics. I don't like those. But the only element i'd care mostly about through all of this is their current use of its music, that I think it's just as iconic and just as big as MCTYW on WPVI and Chroma Cues on WJZ. What would've happen if Idler come and possibly get rid of MCTYW for the same theme the other station on the other side of the Turnpike is using, you wouldn't think the "PVI-effect" would make a repeat, like 17 years ago? My point you look at WLS and WPVI & WJZ, WTOC. But then I've seen what happen to WCSH & KARE 11 & KTVU and the others that had a longtime theme song being dropped after over a longtime of usage. Not just the familiarity of a theme song, also the longevity of the theme song is powerful. Many stations are use to seeing theme song changes left and right for a short period of time. They change just for the sake of it. But I come to embrace the stations that used their theme songs for a decade and longer because it means a whole lot not only to the station, but the viewers that watches the station everyday. News Series 2000 Plus, and I said News Series 2000 Plus, not that "S"-word name that Gari is now calling it for the WLS rejected theme. He'll we don't know what plans Miles & Idler is going to do for the EWN rebrand. But like I said, while I should be jubilating about the return of EWN, I'm feeling more worried, and I had that feeling six years ago, when talk of an updated NS2000+ came about, that this would be a time that News Series 2000 Plus would end its run on WLS. If you ask me if I like the return of Eyewitness News, I wished the Eyewitness News name never left in November of 1996, but like I stated, it was the stations way to not divide the news brand with the overall brand. I still wished they kept the name because the format shows that Eyewitness News never left WLS. But in Dumbo Idler's sence, he probably have different reasons why he want to name to come. I have a feeling he's want to do so, so that he would finally end the stallmate of having that differentiation from all the other O&Os and try to finally be like the others. I just hope they don't follow an ultimatum and drop the longtime News Series 2000 Plus. Mrtraveler01 made this valid point earlier: To reiterate what he said is, while you want to get new viewers (predominently younger viewers), you're at a risk of alienating your longtime loyal viewers. Do they even care at this point? You can let it past Dumbo Idler or his sidekick Curtis Miles. Ever since Idler step foot 190 North State Street 16 months ago, it's been all hell from the jump. He get rid of weekly show 190 North, you get rid of longtime CSD Tom Hebel, He fired Sylvia, and he tries to slowly incorporate his own elements or bring some elements that would alter or eliminate the local feel and historical overtones of the station. This was probably his plan from the get-go. And because all of that I'm extremely pissed. And I said this earlier in this thread, since all he's done these last 16 months, anything that he executes would not be good in my eyes. So I don't hope for the best of him. Until I see anything that would benefit the station, and honoring the historical elements and the traditions and legacies of the stations, I call a spade a spade to Mr. John Idler. And I still call him the NEW Joe Ahern of this market. If he does the ultimatum and pull the plug on News Series 2000 Plus, this would be his worst move since being there. Talk about a catastrophic move, should that ever occurs, and I hope a "PVI-effect" happens as well. But my biggest point I want to make is that, while many are entitled to their own opinions, I'm highly offended by some who are making hypothesis in speculating the end of News Series 2000 Plus on Channel 7. While many of you think because new people are at the station and y'all think its a foregone conclusion, I continue to have hope. And hope is all I have at this point and that's how I feel. While many of y'all probably want to see something new on WLS and probably want to see WLS use things the O&Os use, I despise it. In fact about it, I cringe when I hear people say, why not are they're using that theme used by the other O&Os. Just because this station is not using that other ABC theme, doesn't mean you have too. Everyone loves a theme tune that they are familiar with. When people come to Chicago, they know they here that familiar tune. None of them are familiar with those themes that are or have been used in NY & LA or the countless other ABC affiliates. Like I said, just because WLS is not using them, doesn't mean they have to. So In closing, I'm thrilled that the Eyewitness News name will return. That's a historic overtone of its own. But if the inevitability happens, those dumbos who are running the station to the ground better hope their status of being the top station doesn't go with it.

With the end of the Government Shutdown, as of earlier this morning, the FCC site is back up and running again. Thank You Jesus! But I don't think new (or the heavy backlogs of) stations applications will show up until either tomorrow or Monday. Good Luck with that.

I remember when you did that. You used it as an avatar I think back in the Spring. I actually like that graphic that you made. It's more of a modified version of the previous EWN logo. But it's safe to say that they won't be using that. I prefer "Channel 7 Eyewitness News" over "ABC 7 Eyewitness News". But I think the latter will be used. I found it shocking when WABC brought it back, but I tend to love them using their current brand.

Get the fuck out of here!! OMG, I'm stunned. Personally, I wanted to see the name back. It's the history and legacy of the station. But for another sense, many folks for 17 years have gotten use to the "ABC 7 News" brand. When the brand first was used, IIRC, it was to not to be so divided, from the news brand with the overall brand. Prior to '96, it was "Channel 7" for the main brand and "Eyewitness News" for the news brand. What I'm not impressed about is back to what I was saying earlier in this thread, that I'm getting the impression that both Idler & Miles are trying to eliminate the station's customized element that the station has already have, and trying to clone or bring some elements like the other O&Os. Yes, they both came from that other ABC O&O in the Triangle, but they need to realized that this is Chicago, and it has to treated differently. And when you do sudden changes, you have to worry about the impact of its viewers. Again, its great to bring back the Eyewitness News name. In fact, in a sense, the format never left when they drop the name. But I'm hoping that this doesn't end the 21-year run News Series 2000 Plus, as a result. If they care about the historical overtones and legacies, then they wouldn't let go of this iconic theme.

I know you are. And I know you didn't meant any harm. But it doesn't mean I have to take it lightly. But it's alright.

Ah Lord. It's just a logo. They probably didn't change it prior to making that recent sudden graphic change. And I saw the 5pm & 6pm weather segments and they were a couple of instances where the '98 logo was still shown. If they never changed to the 2007 design last July (on the newscasts last year on October 1), they probably would've still been using the '98 design now. So even if you think they're finally showing consistency using the new logo, you're always going to see instance where the old logo(s) surfaces. Case in point, the CC plug on the end, where the 2007 design is still being used, and we probably going to still see a '98 design, hear and there. Anywho, it looks very weird having that graph on the opposite side. But since they'd changed the 7-day, many of them would have to move from one side to the next. But then you would have to wonder if they would've made that new 7-day graph made the opposite way, they wouldn't have it where they have to stand on the other side.

The new graphics isn't going to come any quicker, while folks are crying for them. If the new graphics comes, it'll come. I just don't like those graphic pop-ups at the start of every news story, "Breaking News", "Developing Story", "New at 10" etc, etc. To me that's an overkill, and it's not all that necessary. Example Breaking News. Prior to that, a breaking news graphics would only be a simple OTS graphic. It also use to be an old full screen graphic in a blue bkg that states breaking news, that would only be used after the news opening, not the strong red bkg color they use now with a swoosh SFX. And they use that, even when its not really all that breaking. I said before, I don't care if it did get new graphics. But I don't care if it doesn't change. Yes, their design has been around since June 3, 2005, but it still looks good today if you ask me. Just don't mess with that other element!!!

CommLawBlog states that should the FCC opens up post shutdown, it will have a massive backlog of paperwork on their hands. AND... It would only do them worst if the shutdown continues to roll on...... I can't wait to see that when that happens....... With all that backlog, one might wonder if any of these deals will quickly get approved post-shutdown as well, which that will be very unlikely.

Based on the comments on KGPE's FB wall, it looks like the new look has been implemented, but not without any sound/audio issues on start up. As someone commented "...it sounds like you all are talking in tin cans and the audio is off....."

I'm not too sure if they're going to implement the changes today, but just over a half hour ago, KGPE's FB wall changed the Banner Pic to this. But then I saw their TitanTV guide, the change of their newscast brand on the listings from "CBS 47 On Your Side" to "Eyewitness News at..." within the last couple of hours. Could this be the day Eyewitness News returns to KGPE 47?

From this news report of last night's 11pm which was their top story BTW, it doesn't look like KGPE debuted the new digs as of yet.

Yeah I'm not too sure when the new set for KGPE will debut. The Bee stated Sunday, but they were still at the old studios. So it'll probably still safe to say they'll get theirs in operation, before KSEE set gets done, by the time the November books happens. Here's a promo vid of the new "CBS 47 Eyewitness News" which you hear a little more of a 'new theme'. Also want to point out, that the KSEE/KGPE & KGET site had to been debuted yesterday, because most of the former Newport station's sites also have the new design (sans WSYR, KLRT & KASN).

This might be a work in progress, but feast your eyes on this. YourCentralValley.com. That will replace both "ksee24.com" & "cbs47.tv" fairly soon. EDIT 12:48pm/PDT: the old cbs47 site is redirected to the new site. KSEE's site is still operating for now.... ......and sister-station KGET got a new site too. Get ready for this. KernGoldenEmpire.com.

Relating to the KSEE/KGPE consolidation, which I think 47 will begin their new digs soon. 24 posted this flyer on their Facebook wall of a football game which happened yesterday, but it appears that they posted what could be their new logo. I think they try their damndest not to alter the focus from the older logo, but I still like the old logo because of the originality. I'm shocked Nexstar is keeping 47's old logo. Anywho, 24's new set debuts three weeks from tomorrow, right before the start of the November Books.

My strong assumption is that OTA is knocking on anyone's door to see if any of them are willing to sell their airspace. Just like NRJ & LocusPoint. Again, who would take the NBC affiliate should KMIR goes bye-bye. Do we have to see NPG running the whole market post-auction?

AHHH HELL NO!!!! Please NO. Not OTA Broadcasting? They're on a buying spree of a different kind. Who's going to take NBC should KMIR goes away post-auction? TMJ is making a tremendous and humongous mistake selling that to these fools that they care for is for the airspace, only to resell it next year. I have no pity for these "spectrum speculators" imbeciles whatsoever. Any broadcaster who sells their spectrum in next year's incentive spectrum auctions (like speculators OTA, NRJ, Landover & LocusPoint), should never run a television station ever again, period.

WMAZ will carry The CW on its sub. WMAZ posted yesterday that it will carry programming from the CW Television Network on its digital subchannel 13.2. Currently the programming is aired exclusively on a Cox Cable channel. Cox Cable will be carrying the new channel on cable channel 3. Other providers are also planning to add the channel soon. Along with the channel, WMAZ will be adding two new newscast on the new subchannel. It will have a half-hour morning newscast at 7am and a half-hour newscast after CW primetime programming at 10pm. It would probably be impossible for Frontier to add the CW since they have two HD streams for Fox & ABC. I wouldn't see much of a problem if Morris would've add it on its sub, even with them having NBC & MyNet. And you know they're not going to knock on Register's door. In other words, why the CW didn't pursue having an OTA channel, seven years ago? The next question is going to be, if WMAZ is going to air The CW in HD as well. Some CW Plus affils are now carrying it in HD as we speak.

I wonder if they're going to change that once Daylight Savings Time ends next month, when it'll be jet black out there. Should that occurs, the nighttime design should be on the 5 & 6pm shows.

Let me get this straight. So reading this Fresno Bee article, am I'm reading this right? KSEE will become the West Coast hub of Nexstar (hubbing with KGET & KTVX/KUCW)? I thought the Utah facility was already the hub. Anywho, we'll see how this separate newscast setup goes, which is basically a typical Nexstar setting (especially in the markets where they use the Mission card). How they explain what KGPE's format is going to be, I always thought their news was very fast paced. Hell, their current graphics (which clones WTEV/WJXX) screams that. So basically, they're trying to gear towards the younger crowd with a fast-paced, edgier format on 47, while getting a more wider median/older crowd using more of a traditional, bolder format on 24. So I'm hoping for the best for 24 & 47. But even if they do well, they still can't trump out the big "three-O". HAHAHA!!!! Yeah, Nexstar have been a real deal this year, ain't they?! Let's see what Sinclair does with KMPH, which I wouldn't be shocked if they add an 11pm news on 26.

Well this wasn't the first time they played theme in almost in its entirety. This courtesy of ctmajka from February 25 of last year, on a Saturday Night. And they basically showed on shot of the people who were waving outside the studio. And on that night, they did play any closing online/social media/online app plugs, whatsoever. I think its been maybe one other occasion this summer on the end of the 6pm where they played nearly this length, maybe shave off a few seconds. There's been some instances where they started playing that full close from the beginning, but would end abruptly to show the closed-captioning plug. And prior to Katie Couric's talk show last year, on the final 4pm tease during the closing credits on Jeopardy, that cue that was played, was the beginning of the full closing theme song. Here's that . On rare occasions (and most of these times it would happen at now-defunct 11am news) that they would play a part of full closing and then they would switch over to the 30 second close (I hate when they do that). But I've never seen them play the full close from start to finish with no announcing plugs. But I strong agree of what you stated. Nothing but perfection.

Yeah even though they have a virtual duopoly, its basically like an "Island", similar to its Dothan & Jacksonville properties. Since they've been going through its own buying spree, they've acquired stations that clustered up regionally, like in certain areas they're either already in or in a market already adjacent to. Case in point, the Upstate NY cluster, along with the Vermont duo & the Texas/Louisiana region with the ComCorp deal. Nexstar tried a newscast on KHMT, but of course that went south. And let's not forget through out its 17-year history, Nexstar only divested once (KBTV last year). So even though I think its unlikely that they would do so, it would probably be wise for them to dump the Billings properties. But if Frontier get these both, they have to form a shell themselved to get one of those stations. And besides, they're probably one of the bigger groups that own multiple stations elsewhere, than the other groups in that region (Max, Cordillera & Bonten). Back to Bonten, since News-Press & Gazette are expanding in California, I wouldn't be shocked if they'll try to knock on Bonten's door for their Northern California cluster in Redding-Chico & Eureka. I don't think Sinclair or Nexstar is going to expand outside their already clustered Fresno/Bakersfield properties in the state.

I would actually love to see KTVH clustered up with KECI/KCFW/KTVM so it would be an almost super NBC Montana network, similar to CBS's MTN. I'm not too sure if Bonten want to unload, or could pursue buying any other properties. They did get the Sainte Partners Cali cluster last year. But if they're not buying, and if they probably want more dough, it'll probably be best to unload the Montana cluster, to another entity. Frontier has gobbled up most of the Sunbelt properties thus far (sans KYMA & KENV/KRNV). If Frontier eyes KTVH, why not pursue KECI/KCFW/KTVM? Now if Cowles want those, they would have to form a shell at that point.

New M&A Tonight!! Cowles might be limiting their presence in one spot, but it doesn't mean they're not boosting its presence in another. From the paper work of and APA posted this morning (10/1). Cowles Media will be buying Max Media's Montana Cluster for $18M. Stations include the ABC Montana cluster in Helena, Great Falls, Butte & Missoula; and Billings NBC station KULR. Post-trasaction, Max's only television property will be Bowling Green's WNKY. At this rate, I wouldn't mind seeing Cowles swallow the Hoak Dakota cluster too.