TennTV1983

A couple of new faces at WHBQ in Memphis: - Jim Spiewak is the station's new Chief Investigative Reporter. He previously worked at WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, FL. - Brittani Dubose was recently hired as the new weekend meteorologist (replacing Wendy Nations, who left the station as of July 3rd to pursue other opportunities). Dubose recently worked at WCTV in Tallahassee, FL.

Smith had been in the news business in Memphis for a long time, going as far back as when he was a sports anchor at WREG. His stories and reflections on things have always been blunt and to the point. Godspeed to Mr. Smith as he enjoys his new life in Belize.

Part of that success at WTVF belongs to Debbie Turner and Lyn Plantinga, the former of whom now has a bigger role within Scripps as its Executive Vice President of Television (a similar role she was promoted to after WTVF was acquired by Journal pre-merger). Although she still has to report to Lawlor (the Senior VP), hopefully Turner's expertise in running a successful station is enough to turn around the fortunes of the other stations she now oversees.

At least the domain name makes sense unlike some of Nexstar's other websites. Now one has to wonder if they're going to keep the "8 News Now" name or revert back to "Eyewitness News".

That's what makes the Music City unique in its own right.

My mistake. I thought they meant the same thing. Fixed it.

KOLD newscast director Mark Herman is resigning. He made the announcement last week via (of all things) a cake: http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/28970534/sweetest-resignation-letter-ever His last day is May 22nd, two days after the May Sweeps period ends.

But will it translate to better ratings? That is the ultimate question.

Looks like Gannett has decided on a new name for its broadcasting unit. It'll now be called TEGNA. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/04/21/gannett-changes-name-to-tegna/26127343/ Yeah, I don't get it either.

That needed to be done a long time ago. Made no sense for a TV station to have all of its content behind a paywall.

That is, until Sinclair decides to give KSNV's chopper the axe as well. Maybe this will give Scripps an opportunity to make a statement at the expense of both KLAS and KSNV by bringing back KTNV's news helicopter?

It's kinda their M.O. for some reason for their website names to not make much sense.

A couple of stories from the Memphis market: - WMC-TV weekend meteorologist Tim Van Horn has left the station to become a full-time real estate agent for Crye-Leike. His final day on the job was this past Sunday (http://blog.memphisdailynews.com/?p=33694). - Cox Media Group has appointed former WOOD-TV news director Patti McGettigan to the same position at WHBQ-TV (http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/82144/patti-mcgettigan-new-whbq-news-director).

This weekend with WOAI's first broadcast from its new home airing on Sunday. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152907629047445&set=vb.343035347444&type=2&theater

A follow up per the Memphis Daily News:

WMC-TV weekend anchor and reporter, Anna Marie Hartman, announced this evening that tonight is her last night at the station. She has accepted a new job at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Per [twitter]LaurenSquires[/twitter] on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurenSquires/status/536666114412257280

Not sure when this happened, but WATN sports anchor/reporter Marcus "Doc" Holiday was recently promoted to sports director at the station, replacing Jamie Griffin, who is now a sports writer for the Memphis Flyer.

Good call by WATN to bring in another native Tennessean to the team with a Memphis connection, even though they had to raid WLBT (again) in order to do it.

It's the latter. The font WVIR used completely ruined the VDO package altogether.

I'm guessing Sinclair had to sell a lot of ad time to keep KDNL afloat despite not having a news operation.

What. The. Hell? It should also be noted that they ripped off the Today Show's current and recent graphics on their morning newscasts as well.

WSMV morning anchor Ian Reitz will be leaving the station at the end of this week. He was recently hired to become the new morning anchor at WTSP in Tampa/St Petersburg, replacing Joe Gumm.

I agree completely, as they look like they would be a natural fit for Gannett.

That should make severe weather coverage all the more interesting, especially if they have all 4-5 at hand plus Melton if needed.

Bryant hasn't been at WMC for months, so I'm guessing his non-compete clause was a short one with this move, and comes at the right time for WATN with both Lauren Raymer and Joy Lambert expected to go on maternity leave in the coming weeks. I thought Bailey Melton was Bryant's replacement though. Does that mean Melton is gone too, or is WMC just adding another meteorologist to the four they already have?