Jase

FYI.... Something is going on in Studio 32. They have moved everything out (anchor desk, big video monitor, etc...) and one wall is covered in plastic. They have been using this secondary studio less and less as of late; but hopefully whatever is going on, they're not abandoning the space.

In what context are you referring? Are you talking about currently or years ago? If my math is correct, WFLD lost 3 people to retirement last year and hired/re-hired 4 people over the past several months. WBBM cut 2 people and hired 1. I wouldn't say currently that either station has issues retaining people. WBBM lost quite a few over the years due to mandated cuts (outside of their control) and WFLD has done the same (cutting people to save $$$), but some moved on to other opportunities or needed to be cut (fired).

Not to mention, they currently looking to cut $500 million in costs.

Not suggesting sexism is at play here, but rather the optics don't look good when you demote your lead female anchor for two male anchors without giving another female anchor an opportunity to tryout. It would be a different story if they went with a solo anchor. I, and I assume others, see value in having both a male/female perspective when it comes to certain duos. Just because Couric and O'Donnell didn't work shouldn't mean you give up.

No surprise about Dubios. Dickerson must have some dirt on people because this would be his 4th show (Face The Nation, CBS This Morning, the CBS News 24/7 show and now CBSEN), if I'm not mistaken. Not sure having two males (instead of a male/female duo) front CBSEN is the way to go. They have plenty of capable female anchors/correspondents to choose from. What message does this send to your female employees (and viewers) by not promoting a women? Best of luck to them because I can't see this working out well...

It's possible they call upon the same group of people they used between Glor and O'Donnell (with the possible exception of Begnaud, who is now a contributor to CBS News). Garrett currently serves as a fill-in anchor for CBSEN (among his other duties), so I can't see them excluding him. I wouldn't be upset if both Brennan and Dickerson were excluded this go-round and both Luciano and Dokoupil would be a big NO for me. This rotating anchors situation is very likely temporary (whether it's a couple of months or, at most, a year) as I don't see them making this permanent. Thinking outside the box isn't what CBS does.

Rotating anchors isn't a bad idea. There's no harm in trying something new given their current state (ratings-wise). Now, if someone were to gain consistent traction; it's highly probable that person would take over the job permanently. And if you think about it, that would be a win-win situation. They would have found someone internally that connects to viewers without taking a financial risk in bringing in an outsider (given that hasn't worked) nor would anyone feel 'passed over' because it would ultimately be the viewers who make the final decision.

Scott was equally as bad earlier this Summer/Spring when it was her, Brant and Pete during severe weather coverage. That said, she gets no sympathy from me. If she can't hack it, she needs to go. Once both Brant and Pete retire, they're going to be screwed.

I assume Brant is on vacation because he called in to support Pete on Sunday too. That said, Brant shouldn't have had to support Kevin and Isiha. Both should be capable of holding things down. For example, David and Mary Kay (who was at home/in FL) did an admirable job for WBBM. Kevin was fine, but Isiha was/is albatross for WMAQ's weather team.

I've been bouncing around watching weather coverage tonight and couldn't help but notice how out of her element Scott is when it comes to breaking/severe weather coverage. Jeanes (and Brant calling in from home) have lead WMAQ's coverage most of the night. The very few times they went to Scott, she added next to nothing.

What’s with the animated flames?? Is that really necessary???

I noticed that Adriana was anchoring the Saturday edition of the CBS Weekend News from DC yesterday and the previous Saturday as well. Anyone know if she’s now based in DC (instead of Chicago)?

Joe and Irika anchored the 10P newscast (last night). I believe they were the only station to call in their main anchors. Everyone else had their usual weekend anchor(s).

Adriana Diaz lead CBS News coverage and was later joined by Robert Costa and Brennan (who both took over for her). It's possible both Norah and David lead their respective newscasts tomorrow once more information becomes available.

I’m surprised she took a position with Fox Weather. Being forced out at WFLD/Fox 32 should have been a warning sign to never work with Fox again. Guess the position was too good to pass up.

If their only choice was the KCAL set, then they should have either waited until they could get the set that they wanted or, at the very least, placed the weather center on the other side to not block any windows. Plus, that would have opened up opportunities to use those 3 vertical tv monitors (for more than just sports) and, if positioned properly, the big tv monitor used for weather (I.e… making it multi-purpose). Correction: The green screen IS retractable, nevertheless, the weather center should be of the other side.

While I am glad they're back in the street side studio, they wasted an opportunity to do something grand and did the bare minimum. Unlike with WLS, WBBM has no obstructions to deal with and could have built something that fit the space. It's as if zero thought was made and someone simply said...hey..let's 'build a set two other stations already have' with a massive (and unnecessary) weather center and call it a day. And don't get me started on the graphics. They had a chance to fix the mistake they made the first time around (of not taking the opportunity to modify them color-wise, etc...) and instead double doink and added 'stars' for good measure.

Ryan moved back to Sports. It’s just Audrina and Dana in the mornings now. Not sure if anyone else will help support them (no morning anchor(s) position(s) have been posted as of today).

With the advent of streaming, one could argue local tv news ratings don't really matter as much as they once did. WBBM, WMAQ, WLS and WFLD all have streaming channels which serve as revenue generators along with their respective linear channel. Plus, people are pretty set in who they watch that there's not much (if anything) anyone can do to change that.

I agree that there’s opportunity to do something along that back wall. Every inch of space was utilized previously, so there’s no reason why they couldn’t do the same thing now.

I would bet they make some tweaks here and there moving forward, but I like what I see overall.

Not sure what the thought process is here. Why create a massive hole in the mornings just to fill a sports position that you could have lived without (for a couple of months)?

Not surprising given Milwaukee is hosting the RNC convention in a couple of weeks. WFLD ‘may’ bring back ‘The Ten’ or a M-F version of ‘Paris on Politics’ when Chicago hosts the DNC convention.

Too bad he doesn't have the power to shutdown HLN. It will be interesting to see how much he will cut from talent contracts when they come up for renewal.

Unfortunately, you are correct. WBBM will have a smaller version tailored to their space. While I'm not surprised they went this route, I am somewhat disappointed they got yet another station group set instead of something different/unique. The weather center/green screen will block the windows to the south leaving the west facing windows unblocked (the ones that face Daley Plaza). While the green screen 'appears' to be retractable, I'm not sure if they will leave it down 24/7 and allow people to see from those windows. They have removed the black curtain that surrounded the studio and the "coming soon" signage. The cameras have been moved into place and the lighting appears to be set. With that said, the move to the street side studio appears imminent (possibly next week....) .