Vlad

Honestly it is just this particular package that we keep griping about haha because it is a downgrade in my opinion from what they've previously used. The Giant Octopus package from late Summer 2011 to Spring 2016 was arguably their best they've ever had: In my opinion those graphics above were their best on air look. Honestly I prefer the KABC graphics over the WABC. Much cleaner and more effective in my opinion. Their previous package looks similar to WLS's current package. I wonder if GO did the same thing. Maybe when they move to their new location we'll see an overhaul in their on-air look and branding.

Looks similar to the basic animations used for the WABC graphics package... I wonder if the same company did it for them.

Does the New Jersey location have new graphics?

Is that the Altice One System you're using Is that the Altice One system you're using @RealNews18

Scott Chapin isn't any younger either. He came back after retiring briefly apparently.

This is the “argument” that Larry had mentioned. He did not pronounce the name “Melania Knaus” (Melania Trump now) correctly and Bill wanted him to say it again and Steve asked why don’t you read it and the argument ensues with Lori in the middle of it. All three of them are no longer with WABC. Steve is out of the news business altogether, Lori is on Good Day New York on Fox 5 and Bill is on the radio out east on Long Island.

Ah okay, I wonder why...

What are they airing in leiu of the rebroadcast?

I’m recording the final broadcast. Hope they do something special for her.

I have a feeling they will continue to use this music until they switch to the new building. The music is good, just wish they could use more of their package. I’ve always preferred the “ABC 7” branding better than the “Channel 7” but I doubt that ever change lol. I think they should rebrand themselves as ABC 7 for consistency especially since their website is called “ABC 7 NY”. I feel like saying “Channel Seven” in 2020 is like so dated. They switched back to the “Channel 7” branding in 2004. I remember we had a big discussion on that back then on this site haha. I remembered one of the arguments was that the word “Chan-nel” was easier to say than “A-B-C”. Flows better, less syllables. Another argument was the audience, older folks especially the baby boomers and native New Yorkers whom watch the broadcast call it “Channel 7”. Where in conversation they would say; “Yo, did you see that story on Channel Seven? That was Crazy!” Lol. With that New Yawk accent haha. Out of curiosity, I’ve always wondered, does anyone know if they include Sam Champion for the Friday talent Morning and Noon opens since Sam does not work on Fridays?

Yeah and I think that’s where my issue lies with them it’s the transitions and the animations. The animations and transitions are already not that nice because the package looks pretty much sucks compared to their previous look as you’ll see below. This look is by far my all time favorite look they had from 2011 through Eary 2016. They were clean, shiny, and more appropriate. What’s was appealing about the current package that made WABC switch? Was it pricing? Their previous graphics were done by Giant Octopus.

Yeah, idk. I guess it looks nice still but in motion and animation, I feel like the KABC graphics flows nicer better than WABC. Any thoughte? I don’t don't to turn this into a WABC vs KABC thread haha but just wanted to show what I meant with the way the two graphic packages flow and animate.

I do agree that the graphics are minimalistic, but I feel like they are much much cleaner and more appealing. I just feel like the west coast stations (KFSN, KGO and KABC) iWABC's just seems a bit sloppy, rushed, amateurish, and have super poor attention to detail. They honestly should've stayed with what they had back in 2011 - 2016 with the Giant Octopus, why did they change something that was not broken? .

Now, they just need to get new graphics and we are golden haha. Im thinking something along the lines of what KABC, KGO and KFSN in California use. Anyone know what company created those graphics for them?

Are the screens on the front of the news desk adjacent to the the giant Circle ABC 7 logo still split up or are they now uniform as well? It looked like they were replaced as well.

Looks like they did a Mid-Cycle upgrade. Kinda like what they did when they were in the previous studio when they went from the Cockpit Styled Backdrop from the 90s to the Duratrans backdrop in the late 2000s up until when they moved to their current studio. The studio current studio is really nice, to me nothing is wrong with it and these upgrades add new life to whats already really nice. This is hands down their best studio they've ever had, and as with WABC long standing tradition, if it is not broken, no need to fix it terribly lol. The only thing that WABC has always struggled with is their graphics in my opinion.

They are still on the newsroom set as of the 11pm broadcast. I guess they’ll be using it through Monday?

I think Talent Opens while we wanted them so much in the past, they are kinda a thing of the past now. In this day and age where everything is fast paced, producers have shifted to just a quick news open sting. WABC seems to be the only station that does talent opens now in the New York market. Do the other stations do talent opens?

I wish they would adopt the style that the ABC O&Os in California use. KABC, KGO and the KFSN styled package. Its much cleaner and a better look overall. Maybe someone can make a reimagined package with that look on the Graphics Forum? .

Last night, during the 11pm broadcast, anyone notice that they did not use the Time and Temperature on the Lower Third section of the ABC 7 Bug? It was just the WABC 7 Circle Logo and the "Eyewitness News" Banner during the 11pm show. I still think that blue square behind the ABC 7 logo is ridiculously hideous... Still not a fan of this graphics package. Can't wait for them to change it.

I could see him eventually taking the lead anchor spot when Bill leaves. Bill Ritter did say though, in a recent Instagram Post and Tweet that he plans on remaining with WABC for the foreseeable future and is not retiring anytime soon. (We could see Bill Ritter on the air for at least for another 5-7 years) So maybe he could do something along the lines of what David Novarro did prior to him joining the First at 4 team when it first launched back in 2011. Also with the impending maternity leave that Shirleen Allicot will inevitably go on, i'm sure they will shuffle the anchors around and have him fill in somehow.

Would be nice to actually see this tried out on TV though it would certainly be re-inventive.

Looks very modern, urban, and very characteristic of New York especially with the exposed brick theme. About time they upgraded their set.

Yeah, I recorded it, still have to re-watch it. A very fitting way for them to end 2018.

Aw, it was so amazing seeing this video! Glad they honored their past and honestly Bill Beutel will always be a legend and an icon for not only WABC but for many other organizations around the world. It was so awesome to see Roz again! Roz could've been sitting right there next to Diana today had she not left WABC for WCBS. But, a new era is about to begin for them when they eventually relocate to the Hudson Yards area? I forget where the other member had mentioned where they are moving to. Best, Vlad