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Clever, just can’t unsee the oxymoron of “Local” 10 “World” News

The network evening newscasts are heavy on feature style human interest reporting, curious how their ABC World News audience will respond to this version 

49 minutes ago, nathannah said:

Sadly, that's just time just getting away from the model that morning news, local and national, should just start your day with light fare and very short mention of the crime roll, including a softer theme. Once the Fox/Tribune morning news model became standard, the calm model has disappeared to get you out the door like a triple Red Bull shot (remember how their ESPN counterpart Get Up had the original slogan of 'get up, get sports, and get going'? Has not been that way for years), with the light themes all but gone and just as aggressive as they are at 6pm.

 

It was clear when Kimmel switched from a structured duratrans background to a full screen, along with ESPN's digital center that this would be the future for all set design; less physical pieces, more screens. But even though it was from my most loathed segment, I do love how it's possible to frame each screen in the background to make it feel fuller, and create space like seen below.

 

Yeah that is a cool effect, taking cues and probably tech from the Depth Wall on ESPN. 

7 hours ago, Vlad said:

The new set looks great! It's a bit of a shame that they can no longer interact with a live audience anymore.

 

I guess the rival Today Show will be the sole show that has this card now at 30 Rock. Nonetheless, it's a significant improvement; the studios at 7 Hudson are quite nice. Maybe without the distraction of the street audience and fanfare, it will be a more polished and focused product and environment for employees and stakeholders.

 

The only gripe so far, is that, the show is supposed to represent America, not New York City, and lately ABC's national news shows have been too New York Centric, while I agree that New York is America's largest city and is arguably the crown jewel city for the country, I think they should try to do a dynamic backdrop that shows every city or perhaps do a blend of the skylines of different cities like CNN does for their Morning Show or even Good Morning Britain which does something of that sort to represent America as a whole not just New York. 

 

But overall, the studio is incredible, kudos to ABC for fitting all of this into this building it's hard to believe they have all of these large studios in such a small footprint.  

Had the same thought...

The legacy of GMA pre Times Square was feeling suburban. The original living room set. 

I get having the NY skyline in the set itself, making it central to the open feels like it's a local NY show. 

The set itself is a beautiful upgrade, feels like a Soho loft which I guess is the concept they're going for, though almost feels like when you first move in and the furniture hasn't arrived. It could use more furniture and elements to break up the cavern and have cozier feeling shot options. 

Home base is great - warm, professional, not distracting. 

They've become more like the layout the Today show used for decades - news desk, NY centric. When Time Square started the two living room chairs were home base, and evolved to be a desk sometime before Charlie left.

Last week KSWB Fox 5 moved into the KUSI building, and...

KUSI got new graphics and after nearly 30 years dropped Gari's The One and Only. Not sure what the new package is, other that it sounds like pretty much every other generic package these days. 

De emphasizing the Good Morning San Diego branding - no longer featured in the bug. 

No more AccuWeather.

And fewer cities in the forecast highs/lows section - gone from it is Rancho Santa Fe, home to the McKinnons. 

Graphics are still skewed to an older audience - big type, but less 3D. 

Here is the remake of the close.

Nice alternative, hits a lot of the sentimental tone of the original that remakes often miss, at least for the first 3/4ths of it.

When you get to the lead up to the close where the original had prominent strings and a crescendo into a horn floursh this version feels a little thin, almost like a mixdown that deleted those tracks. Feedback on the Youtube comments is pretty positive.

Hope they keep the original open and close on Fridays or something like that. 

The opens/bumpers in the demo are a little generic sounding to me, not as distinct with the signatures as the originals or this remake of the close. I suppose mgmt wanted some updates and as far as that goes could have been a lot worse. But hope there are some more distinctly melodic cuts that get used. 

Looks like some odd filtering on that studio render.

If I imagine how those materials look in real life it’s warm woods. And a lot less cluttered. More inviting and professional.

Refreshing from the sensory overload of their prior studios. 

Yes pretty flat graphics but I give them credit for using a talent open. The “in action” shots work well.

On 5/28/2025 at 1:58 PM, Earl Grizzell said:

YES.  This one (attached) is one of the arrangements (over a number of years) I did for my original 'WTNCF' theme that I composed for KCRA-TV Kelly Broadcasting in late 83 ... Thanks.

 

Cool, what was the story / process / inspiration that got you to that arrangement? Pretty iconic, nailed the newsy urgency and authority with some ebbs and flows. I remember it being used for many years. 

12 hours ago, Earl Grizzell said:

Just found this, and glad to chime in on the FACTS.  True, I composed the original theme for KCRA-TV whose slogan was "Where The News Comes First".  My signed contract with the Sacramento based NBC affiliate clearly protected me as the Copyright owner of the theme notation and prohibited any rearranging or adaption related to the theme without my permission.  Unfortunately, after many years of successful use of my composition, the copyright was violated, which led to litigation.  I can also set the record straight on my involvement with VTS Productions (86-90) and the related drama.  Let me know ... thanks!

Hi.  Earl Grizzell, here. Just happened on this site ... Thanks for the compliments. Would be happy to update all here and relay the FACTS on some issues in the wake of my original composition and production of the 5 note theme I wrote to compliment the spoken ID "Where The News Comes First". Let me know, thanks!  Earl Grizzell, composer/producer

THANK YOU!  That's me and I have much to clarify for anyone who is interested..  Let me know,   Earl Grizzell, Composer/Producer

 

 

Earl we'd love to hear your stories - the inspiration behind and creation of the music to the facts of how it evolved. 

Coincidentally, RIP Stan Atkinson who passed this weekend.

The music you made was of the highest caliber to match his style of broadcasting. 

On 5/23/2025 at 4:55 AM, Earl Grizzell said:

I was a composer producer in the late 80's for VTS (Earl Grizzell).  Pretty sure this is a Brad Kelly composition.

Welcome Earl, was this one for KCRA your baby? The brassy Stan Atkinson “we have news for you…next” intro march. 

Your name sounds familiar from trying to lookup the author info for “Where the News Comes First” themes. 

5 hours ago, Bsean said:

This is kind of off topic, but I tuned in to KUSI recently to just see how the set looks in action, and they barely even show the set. They are still using a very tight 2 shot at the anchor desk, so you never see the desk. There are no pans, no stand ups; and then the only other shot I saw being used was of the interview set. Not sure if it has anything to do with construction of KSWB's set, but I just found it really odd. But aside from that, their product is awful. I was watching the morning news and they need new anchors immediately. Paul Rudy is not anchor material at all. Not sure if Lauren would be better with someone else, but at the very least, Paul needs to be relegated back to just sports. They really need help on the KUSI side.

KUSI says GMSD is the “most watched” local news. Probably some cume over the long broadcast.

They found a sizable loyal niche for that product and anchor team. 

On the evening they show 4 shots with the desk showing. 10pm they tend to lead the ratings.

On 3/26/2025 at 4:38 AM, MediaZone4K said:

The corner angles of the set look nice. The whole thing however is not that impressive. It's the same old same old: massive video wall panels and a barren floor space

They picked a nice skyline shot behind the desk and yes the rest is barren. Not using the set design techniques to create layers and depth. 

No network affiliation...and near 50% share of all daypart viewers in the demo is damn impressive. 

On 2/26/2025 at 6:23 PM, RealNews18 said:

Lee Goldberg did the last 5pm weather hit and first 6pm weather hit from the roof. It was a pretty cool shot with the World Trade Center in the background and the sunset. He also mentioned many more angles up there and more live shots to come. Should be pretty cool 

On the 11 he mentioned the screen behind the giant 7 in the weather center is meant to show the current outside weather (not a live shot but a representation) 

Wonder if they automated that or someone needs to manually select in which case take bets how long the feature lasts. 

I guess Clickspring doing both the prior and current set explains keeping elements like the big Accuweather repeater when the weather anchor is speaking from the main desk. 

On 2/26/2025 at 5:37 PM, TVLurker said:

I'm curious as to who did the NBC News Today 95-03 music package w/ the stingers/extended cuts?

I thought that was Nonstop or 615

Not my favorite because it displaced the Ray Ellis retro theme…although funny that one originally aired 82-85 and less than 10 years later resurrected then updated as “retro”

So far the wide shot looks familiar, more an evolution than drastic change - big seamless digital screen and they use a nicely touched up skyline shot. Big change is a ticker with the EWN masthead in motion on the background video feed.

Weather center also a familiar, but updated look. The white round element behind it gives off CBS eye vibes. 

Mics / sound needs tweaking, sounds like they are in a warehouse. 

The full studio shot is impressive, big deconstructed '7' hanging over the set that adds depth and makes it look grand.

Desk is an improvement in branding. 

They kept the 'accuweather' repeating background behind Jeff when he's at the anchor desk, but displayed on a screen, and with the theatrics of a camera zoom which is a nice touch.

Overall well done keeping what works and evolving it.

13 hours ago, newsteam13 said:

I wonder who composed that awesome 80s news theme package.

Before and after the switch from KBTV to KUSA in 1984, Channel 9 started using it in 1983. What made the KUSA news opens with that theme ever better...Mr. ABC himself Ernie Anderson opening for Mike Landess/Ed Sardella and the rest of the 9NEWS team. 

When Gannett bought sister station KARE (the WTCN) Channel 11 in 1983, it brought KUSA's Joe Franzgrote to the Twin Cities. Along with him came that theme music package and some of his KUSA news team.

I'm dying to know who composed that 1983-88 news theme music package

Was wondering the same after that documentary it’s a great theme with a heartland kind of feel. 

Maybe Peters since they did the prior It’s All Right Here theme? 

Also wonder if there were lyrics haven’t run across a vocal promo. 

Interesting the WTCN/KARE and WXIA set of the time was a lookalike of the KOA/KCNC set in Denver, KUSAs competitor. 

This might be the best history video about local broadcsat news yet...from Twin Cities Public Television

A forensic look at the rise of WTCN/KARE after Gannett acquired it with interviews from KARE and the competition, lots of great video clips 

https://www.tpt.org/minnesota-experience/video/broadcast-wars-ep-3-out-of-nowhere-pzx0vn/

There are 2 other episodes from earlier years

https://www.tpt.org/minnesota-experience/video/broadcast-wars-ep-1-just-the-facts-xk330t/

4 hours ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

No. They don't. Rey Rodriguez is all they got. So it's his mediocrity or nothing. Nexstar won't spend the money on anything else. The fact that they don't have a group-wide package like Sinclair does (which feels incredibly dated and boring) is impressive, given where the business is at the moment.

 

 

Assuming that you mean a network owned & operated station, there's only that used a Linear Drift package and that's CBS. I liked their 2013 package better than their 2016.

 

My contention is that 3D can look great, if it's subtly used to highlight certain information, context, etc. Completely flat looks terrible and completely 3D looks gaudy. There's is a design balance which I think works across multiple platforms and devices.

 

 

This is why I want to see sets with multiple moving components so that they can be reconfigured for new and different standups, interview sets, news, weather, etc. Why have set designs that have statically designated areas these days?

Yes 3D motion and use of light effects take full advantage of big screen video tech to create a larger than life emotional connection and distinctiveness that cements an identity. 

Doesn’t belong everywhere and needs to have design thought and storyboarding to be done well. 

Overuse of white background fields is the crime in video graphics. It’s too much contrast on a lit screen. 

After 25+ years, the new KUSI set is in service

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1338842107280213

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDBlmNZRvMC/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDAFb8DvKXI/

I like the use of the header above to add some depth and the look fits KUSI. Camera blocking is still pretty bare bones - just straight on shots with the skyline in the background for the close ups, so you don't see much of the variety of the sides of the set on air unless they're doing a 4 shot.

KSWB will move into the KUSI building when its studio is finished. No change to the graphics or music...would have thought that would happen along the new set. So maybe they'll keep the pre Nexstar look going that's comfortable to so many viewers.

Recent promos have been doubling down on the star /red white and blue, classic KUSI look with a 'Putting You First' slogan, so that leans toward no big changes in the look. A few months ago they changed the typeface on the lower thirds and added a ticker, but that was the extent of it. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCsO2gESkMx/

Viewer feedback in the Facebook post is spicy, less about the set, more about shifts in the story selection and guests after Nexstar acquired. I think they're still #1 in the 10/11pm slot. 

Mike’s a likable broadcaster who played well in KC. Maybe I need to watch more but does he have the gravitas to hold the baton from Grimsby, Beutel, and Ritter? 

Years back I figured Torres was the heir apparent but can see he doesn’t have the 20-30 year runway Ritter had. 

I guess Ritter was a “soft” GMA weekend guy who hardened for EWN but he also had deep pipes like Torres. Not sure Marza  has that. 

Josh Einiger has age runway, the pipes and serious delivery but so good in the field and maybe he has zero desk desire. But he seems closer to the NYC vibe and gravitas that made Ritter successful. 

KPIX Eyewitness News at Noon 3/2/1984

WABC Eyewitness News 2/16/1987

Cool they brought it back with an orchestra

And nice to see the thoughtful look at history 

The story graphics are fine but not a fan of the animation, too frenetic and circle oriented. But the care with the music trumps. 

Kind of like when Gari remixed Cool Hand Luke though haven’t heard much of this new package to see if it’s just as catchy.

Hard to top the original KRON ticker bed with the clapping sounds for distinctiveness. 

Thanks so they are using a larger screen for weather. Still a squint vs something that takes up the full screen but better.

The walk from the board back to the anchor desk is a great touch and the shot blocking makes things seem larger than life in scale, as good television design should. 

Highs: The stand up story area is impressive, nice depth with the cityscape behind. So is the weather center and side 3 shot of the weather anchor next to the desk with the 6 logo and cityscape in the distance

Lows: The main center shot of the anchors. That curved monitor is too close and the graphic they chose is too bold, it overpowers the talent. Looks too confined. Weather by a monitor is OK for a moment, but hard to read, need a huge wall or green screen to get the elements big and easy to read.