24994J

General threads are not permitted, anymore, HOWEVER, the FCC stuff is enough to probably warrant its own thread.

Public comment has opened up in the O&O early renewals. We can discuss those further in that new thread.

If this really was as sudden of a change as we're led to believe, then I'd imagine a successor just isn't an immediate priority. Vacation time and such are weird in the summer, so if they do want to give her a co-anchor, they may just wait until the fall.

His reports will surely be infrequent, his will be a unique perspective, said reports will be scripted with as many takes as needed to record, and if he does appear at the desk for a de-brief, everyone involved, including the viewer, will be aware of the circumstances and be understanding. I really don't get the hate. So what if it's only a year or two? I'm not sure I'd be putting money on many local news staples to be viable beyond that timeline, so why should the expectations for this to be any different? As for the reading of notes, that's being mature and proactive. He knows he's not 100%, so he's doing something that helps him retain info better. Hell, many healthy newscasters that are half his age should be taking more notes, these days. Similarly, folks are within their right to express the opinion that you're coming off as more than a little callous, especially as someone who is almost completely unaffected by this. None of us outside of market #1 are regular WABC viewers, so Bill going on local TV and trying something unique like this isn't going to ruin or make our day. If he, his bosses, co-workers, family, and (die-hard) viewers don't have a problem with this, then it is kind of a you problem.

I initially disclosed it, but retracted it, as I forgot that I received it as kind of private info. I will say that it's debuting today at 5 CT. I'll post about it then.

One station in Missouri is going all-in on such a format, completely ditching their main studio. The new format and logo/graphics will debut very soon.

I forgot that Se Kwon was in this wave. I like Moreno, though not so much as an anchor. Scafidi should be doing weekend mornings, not middays. Not a slight, just seems better for her vibe. I like Buganski as "some guy," but yeah, I'm trying to figure out how and where he slots in that makes most sense. Sylvia doing just the one show now makes me wonder what her/their long-term plan is. Even without a late co-anchor, they're feeling just a bit bloated. Jackson, Premus, Ponce, Bomke, Ewing, Lee, Scafidi, Blanton, Perez, Hasbrouck, Buganski & Moreno (unofficially official) on Friday nights, plus Hamilton & Placko.

Lauren Scafidi is permanent from 11-1. Two new hires, yesterday, as well. As Cassie & Tina moved up, Sam Panayotovich (WGN Radio, Fox Sports) joins as the third-stringer. Also joining is reporter Brittany Toolis (WXYZ) as a morning reporter, thus filling out the 4 reporter hires we knew were coming (Buganski, Moreno, Scafidi).

To be fair, it doesn't seem like too much talent is being shuffled here. Pre-9am assignments appear to be unchanged, though some were off today. Chicago Now ending doesn't really move the needle, and Tia and Anita simply traded Chicago Report and GDC at 9. Unclear if Scafidi is permanent at 11am, but Sylvia was gone so long and Terrence has now been there for months, so there's continuity there.

WTVD followed WABC's lead for tonight's Hurricanes win.

But they also do a podcast-y news/talk (radio-like?) format on streaming from 1-4pm. Any of that could be plugged in on 32 or 50, just like their 6-7 & 8-9pm shows are, on the latter station.

Annnnnnnnnd, let's all cool down for a bit. Maybe we should all let the dust settle on this thread until we get actual headlines, because some of us can debate back and forth til blue in the face. Not restricting posting, not locking the thread, so I don't want to hear anything about censorship. I'm just suggesting that everyone has well-established their points, by now.

Respectfully, if you think ABC (News) has become the equivalent of state-run media, then you're not quite familiar with true, legitimate, state-run media.

I'm not saying he didn't grow or improve, but I just think there's way too much weight being put on being passed over for a promotion on ONE occasion. Cecily & Adam are locked in on evenings, Karen was already on mornings when she shifted chairs, so all that's left is the weekend evening slot, where it's quite obvious they wanted to replace a Black female with a Black female. No conspiracy, hardly slighted, he was just...stuck. Shit happens.

I remember Chris in Chicago. The Chris Sowers Fan Club confuses me. Deeply unremarkable talent.