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Really, if they didn't run like 90 seconds of headlines, they'd be able to squeak out an open that wasn't only 4 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wU6q8VVqTw

It's not perfect, but I'm thrilled that they FINALLY blew up the old look. The new theme is way too vague, though, and the new desk is pretty bad.

That's also one of the new Ford Transit vans. I'm pretty sure any new vans at WABC have been Nissans.

Yeah, that's definitely new. I'm kinda surprised, too, because I don't ever recall any of the morning show making changes on a weekend, and they just refreshed everything over the summer. For those who haven't seen, the bug is now a large blue box much further to the right (still safe) the switches between 'GMA' with '#GMA' below, and 'ABC' with the show's website. Atop the blue box is a white box with the time and temp, and the type is quite small.

When did Robin join the show in 2002? She still read the news for nearly 14 months from when she was promoted to co-anchor early in May of '05 until Charlie left in the middle of the following June. If she didn't hit 4 years, she came damn close.

WFLD isn't on at 10. At nine, they usually score lower than a 2, and WGN typically triples that with something close to a 5. Below a 1 is reserved for 32 and 2 in the mornings.

WGN's less than thrilled with their 4th place finish at 10pm, so they're doing everything they can to appeal to the younger viewers. EVERYTHING.

WLS has introduced an animated news bug for the GMA updates. Like WABC's, it now rotates between the ABC 7 and the stacked 'Good Morning America' logo. I don't know how long it's been this way, though, as I'm rarely up and/or watching. In addition to the regular model, this is the station's third variation of the on screen bug (WCL, WCIU, GMA).

Haven't had a good Jerry blooper in awhile. While it may not be his best stuff, it got a nice chuckle from everyone involved.

I don't think the doomed anchor team was at the 30th. I can't recall. Update: I found an article on that celebration, ironically enough, on Today.com. "As [Hartman] and Lunden stood with current hosts Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer, it was almost as if the dark days of the late 1990s, the Kevin Newman and Lisa McRee era, didn’t exist (they were invited but didn’t attend)."

But no Lisa McRee and Kevin Newman? Dis. A. Pointing. Frankly, I totally forgot that the anniversary was coming up. I do wonder, though, why they're celebrating to late compared to the 30th anniversary. That was on like November 3rd in '05.

Mark just let the cat out of the bag on the radio that virtual weather graphics, including the "7-day coming out of the floor", are on the way. Those are likely the other changes down the line that Phil alluded to on opening night. Oh, and "everything's made of glass. I have to wear pants now...and underwear."

Under the split anchor weekend format, ABC and CBS do not tag on the anchor's names to the open, so it's not surprising that NBC is following suit.

You want a scaled-back, no nonsense, simple promo? Well... I wonder if they were going were a 'This is SportsCenter'-type vibe with this one, because it sort of reminds of the simplicity of those commercials. It's a shame, though, that Krashesky wasn't in it, as he's shown in other spots that he can actually sing. (He was off the day this was shot.)

Yeah, that could work.

According to a quick search, the secondary definition of 'fore' is "the front part of something, especially a ship". Honestly, that totally sounds like a word Ron would use (and in the correct context), but yes, a more common phrasing would've been ideal. Heck, 'forefront' (the leading or most important position or place) would've made a similar point, in a form more people would understand.

Heck, they had 5 reporters out there. Ron and Cheryl were all by their lonesome to close the 5 o'clock news. I have to admit, I'm really beginning to like Rob Elgas's field anchor-like role they've had him in for Cubs coverage and stuff. His field work is very good, though I am warming up to him in the studio.

What the actual f*ck?

I kindly respect your opinion, but you're clearly not willing to have a legitimate, educated, mature debate on the issue, so I'll just say...SECURITY!

Windy City Live's has been upgraded to the new O&O layout, and it's now folded into the station's website. That said, the windycitylive.com url still works. I think the header looks really nice in orange, and I also like that the bottom of the page still connects to the news links. 190north.com has also been given a similar treatment.

With Cubs playing the Mets, the friendly waters have begun between WLS and WABC. Kelly and Michael challenged Ryan and Val to a pizza bet, but the really high stakes were set by the weekend morning news teams. What's on the line? [MEDIA=twitter]655378012666368000[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]655444650392690688[/MEDIA] No word on what WLS would get in return.

They always mention the score, even if without video. They get lumped in the briefs with the WNBA and MLS. This won't change anything. The Hawks' affiliate is in Rockford, and the Wolves feed into St. Louis, ironically. No.

WLS will usually feature video from a game or two a week, usually from the same team that's featured on the morning newscast flyover/live shot. Back in the day, Mike Caplan would do weather at 4 from some school's pre-game. They do have some partnership with a lesser-known site for prep coverage, too, and it'll be mentioned in a OTS with a few scores/results rattled off. However, that seems to hold off til later in the season. I know the Tribune trio has rather comprehensive coverage, though the radio and newspaper presence is strongest, with WGN only making a few mentions, most often on Instant Replay on Sundays. I can't really speak for the other stations, though. Oh, and with the Wolves coverage, they have nothing to do with the production. What goes out over the air is the stadium graphics package with the same set of broadcasters, no matter the channel. I know WPWR 50 had games in previous years, and I'm pretty sure 5.2 carried matches back in the Nonstop days.

Apparently ABC 7 is airing two Chicago Wolves (AHL) games on 7.2 this season, the first of which was tonight. WCIU carries 3 games as a part of a separate deal, but the vast majority air on 26.2, The U Too. http://www.chicagowolves.com/2015/10/14/wolves-and-abc-7-chicago-announce-broadcast-agreement/