Vlad

Happy Belated Birthday WABC!

That video couldn't have been WABC's situation haha. Thanks for sharing that Brian!

Looks like things are escalating between Edwards and Benhke

https://pagesix.com/2018/05/31/former-wabc-sports-reporter-takes-discrimination-case-to-federal-court/?_ga=2.26759550.259022365.1527861817-376108794.1526587144

Well, after all they technically work for ABC. The stations mentioned above are all Owned and Operated by ABC Television so I take it is very easy for them to pool their resources together.

I'm sure those in Philly will be happy to see her.

Any word on when Sade is returning back to the 5PM? Is she still not clear yet?

Yeah, Sade Baderinwa has not been on the 5pm broadcast for months since the injury. The 5pm is where Sade had originally started back in 2003 when she replaced Roz Abrams who left for WCBS.

When the substitute anchors introduce themselves, out of curiosity, do they say the following; "I'm Diana Williams, and I'm <First Name> <Last Name>, In for Sade Baderinwa" . The reason I ask this question, because if they say "In for Sade Baderinwa" that means that she still is officially the anchor for that broadcast, however if they no longer say that, then that means she is no longer the anchor and they are looking for someone else. I haven't seen a 5pm broadcast in a while so I can't confirm or say for sure if the sub-anchors say this key phrase.

Yeah, I understand now why they kept it, because when watching some of the older opens, that news-ticker jingle that begins in the start of the theme, is super catchy and sounds just like the original Cool Hand Luke theme from the 70s and 80s and early 90s. So I get it now, but they can do a newer rendition of it no? But I guess it might be a theme to stay for the forseable future. I'm assuming WABC has access to the entire Eyewitness News Package.

The theme that they use for the "Protect Our Children" is KABC's Morning Theme.

WABC-TV "Protect our Children" Theme (Eyewitness News NG4)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=gVrypA0hlfs;t=20

KABC-TV "Morning' Theme (Eyewitness News NG4)

So since these are the same themes, I would assume that WABC has the rights to the entirety of the ABC O&O Eyewitness News Package.

So WABC could easilly change up their themes and experiment with the package if they wanted to, which is something I hope they do.

WABC Opens from the 1970s to the Mid 2010s. And I think the reason now, the "a-ha" moment behind them keeping the current theme and jingle for all of these years, since 1999 is because of the reminiscence it brings to the classic themes. The catchy news-ticker sound at the start of the opening sequence. So I get it now, it pays homage to their early days.

What on air changes would you all like to see at Channel 7?

Honestly I know the graphics were just changed, but they have to go. I'd like to see something more on the like of the package that KABC and KGO use. The music needs to change too. They've been using it for too long. They've been too complacent over the years.

I'm sure a lot of these behind the scenes shuffles at WABC will lead to on-air changes too. Hopefully we can see some refreshing ideas from new talent make it on the air.

Yes because they are in the biggest city... a pet rock in NYC would be too... that’s the most absolutely meaningless boast in the business.

That is true, they are number one because they are in the number one city, which happens to like ABC programming. So they do have that advantage. I do agree, I don't think they'd be on the same boat if it were a different market. They just need to be refreshed. I feel like the broadcasts have been stale and the on-air presentation is kinda lazy if you will. I'm hoping with the new leadership things will change.

I guess every station has their ups and downs. Despite it all they still manage to be the #1 Watched station in the nation. They've have been for a long time.

Hopefully with the new leadership on the horizon we can see some new refreshing things happen to the station. Does anyone have any insight on was allegedly done to Lori Stokes prior to her departure? I don't recall hearing anything mentioned or I must've missed that discussion..

Is Sade back with Diana at 5pm yet?

Was wondering the same! Guess we’ll have to tune in to find out lol.

Does anyone have any insight on when WABC will be updating their music or if there is talks in them getting a new package? They've been using this music since Fall of 1998 and we are in 2018. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but it would be nice to see something refreshing for them. . I believe Fall of this year will mark it 20 years that they are on Series 4 of Eyewitness News from Frank Gari. The tune is very fitting and nice for New York so it will be interesting to see how Gari will top that if they even do decide to update their package. Unless they go the WPVI route and just never change it at all haha.

Also is there a definitive replacement for Laura Benkhe or is Anthony Johnson assuming the role? I think he's actually a pretty good fit for role and his personality really matches position.

I’m glad she’s feeling better and has made it through this injury. That said, to be quite honest, I’m not a Sade fan. She seems like a wonderful person — and well liked by her colleagues — but I don’t find her to be at the same level as the other anchors at WABC, past and present.

I find her to be a real class act. Very classy and very professional in the work that she does. I've met her in person and I must say she is just as nice in person as she is on television. So personally I'm a fan. I think she could be along the lines of being the lead female anchor for the station. I don't think there's anyone else that is at her level. Diana Williams of course one can argue can be the lead female anchor as well especially with her veteran status and the amount of time she's been there.

Sade is back tonight at 11.. They said she is phasing in her return.

Yep she’s finally back. What a trooper she is. She’s gone through so much in her career. Godspeed to her and glad she’s back!

Oh wow, has it already been 6 years? I could've sworn I remember him doing it in recent times, I guess time really does fly. Didn't he anchor the 2015 broadcast?

Yeah its a bit surprising that she will not be home with her newborn baby for Christmas, but maybe she can go home right after the broadcast? Usually on Christmas Day the New York stations air basketball games all day, but it looks like GMA will be airing so she may be needed to do cut ins, unless she goes home right after the broadcast and Lauren does all of the cut ins and leaves for the day.

Honestly they just need to find a way to relieve Camille Edwards of her duties if she's not treating the employees fairly, and these allegations are true. Nobody should be "afraid of going to work" because of a tyrant boss. People need to be in the right state of mind and at ease and should not be "on edge" when working, its not fair and it really affects the quality of work being put out there. Instilling "fear" in the work place is very unhealthy. Especially in this day and age where we live in a society that is more open than before. If she hired Ryan Field over Laura because of her looks then that is just terrible.

Obviously we all don't work there so we can't vouch for them, but what we can all vouch for is expectation of fair and equal treatment for all employees regardless of the workplace and environment we are in. If these allegations are true then its not fair. Thats very appalling to hear especially from the top station in the nation in terms of viewers.

As for Laura Benhke I honestly did not like her as well either, I think Ryan Field was a better fit for the position, only because Laura Benkhe just doesn't have the chemistry that Ryan has. But it is not fair to be denied a position because of race, gender, and etc which goes against so many laws. They can be honest and say that she wasn't the "right fit", but don't say that its because she is blonde, she's not fit to deliver sports, totally unfair.. I mean, lets face it there are better sportscasters out there, for example, Robin Roberts, she was a legend at ESPN before GMA.

To have 2 males co-anchoring a newscast today is quite rare IMO.

It’s definitely rare today but it has been done, remember Roger Grimsby and Bill Beutel? They were quite revered back in those old days from WABC.

So today Lori Stokes threw shade at WABC.. Rosanna and Lori did an interview with Ivana Trump and after the interview they were talking about how Ivana mentioned self worth when it comes to money.. Lori goes and if they don't give you what you want.. you show em who's boss... hmmmm thought it was funny

Thats how it works! Not just on Television but with any job. They don't compensate, you go where they do compensate you more. Especially in this day and age lol.

Darla was reporting just today. She was back on the air doing a report for the 4pm show.

Wow thats unfortunate.. . Sade already had a major injury which she pretty much almost died from as well and now this. She's endured a lot of pain and tragedy throughout her life, so I hope this doesn't bring down her morale. She's a strong class act woman though so I'm pretty confident she will recovery. But this time it seems like its not job related so thats really unfortunately. Hopefully she makes a speedy recovery.

Josh Einiger is down in Houston to help KTRK with their coverage.

Yeah that was interesting to see them down there apparently there are a lot of reporters from different ABC O&O stations lending KTRK a hand. That was nice to see.

Yeah and they did this when Lori was alone too when Steve Bartelstein left. So they'll keep trying different ones until they find the right fit. Who knows, maybe it could be Michelle? Or maybe even Lauren Glassberg, I hope she gets it. Personally, I think Lauren Glassberg is similar in style to Lori with the way she delivers the news and she just has this grace about how its delivered that really suits her and the station well. Very similar to Lori's style of delivery.

Dray Clark is freelance? I thought he was permanent.