24994J

https://forums.tvnewstalk.net/topic/17598-abc-news-tv3/ It appears that GMA Weekend will debut from the new space tomorrow morning. And with the rollout of normal usage on the horizon, this is probably as good a time as any (better late than never, I guess) to move the new studio discussion to its own thread.

Controversial opinion: I don't hate the graphics on WBNS. The theme, yeah, no, but it looks good enough.

I saw him late last week.

I guess a little preview at 10:26 is enough to appease those that may not like the elimination of sports at 10.

So, in the end, she is an actual part of the morning team, as a contributing anchor.

Also of note, yes, they did update the midday open, and Julie Unruh took a turn at the desk today. Let's see if Dina can break Stacey Baca's record of rotating co-anchors (like 10, I think) during a vacancy.

Skilling made it through surgery like a champ, with a minor, secondary complication.

"The F stands for 'you all ask too many f-ing questions'." -Sinclair, probably

Sean Lewis both days.

It sounds like they have it pieced together enough for tonight's coverage, as they have the 2018 design as a launch point, but they've had setbacks and delays, so they they're still mapping out how it will be used for the other programs.

Tom Negovan's bio has been removed from the WGN website, just after they debuted the Nexstar layout with an updated headshot for him. No word on if he's actually gone, but it certainly looks like it.

Yeah, I like the toned-down version of the 2018 election set. I also know and appreciate that it surely won't be so over the top for everyday use. Heck, the article even suggests that WNT's basic presentation format isn't likely to change much...when it eventually moves in.

Hopefully all goes well. Nobody wants his talks of eventual retirement with Bob and Steve yesterday to take on a haunting tone.

I assume they'll want to go with a male replacement, and IF they go internal, this is my "short" list... Tom Negovan: he's been there before, but he's basically their chief nightside reporter, and most frequent back-up on the late news. The broadcast has changed drastically since he left the noon news in 2008. Would he have the range and charisma to handle what the show's evolved into? Ben Bradley: only anchors the 4pm, so this would be a cost-driven move, and he has a lot of versatility from his years on weekend morning at ABC 7. He does a lot with the investigative unit, though, and this could interfere with that schedule. It would also break their trend of set, cemented anchor pairings. He also rarely fills in at midday. Dan Ponce: he's anchored the 4am block for several years, but like Ben, has very little time spent in that slot. The morning B-team has ascended the ratings ladder, and he's likely more valuable there than on the already top-rated noon hour (Midday trails 7 at 11am). Tahman Bradley: weekend evening anchor, would bring much-needed diversity to the weekday male anchor bench. However, as political reporter, anchoring middays would likely leave one of the roles lacking. Sean Lewis: weekend morning anchor for a decade, seemingly the most frequent fill-in for Steve. I can't think of many real drawbacks, so that why he's my predicted successor. That doesn't necessarily mean he's who I'd choose, though... Patrick Elwood: he's surely the long shot. Of these men, he's the only one to never hold an anchor position at WGN, though spent many years as early morning/noon anchor on FOX32. Only in the last few years has he been used on the desk, mostly on weekends and at midday. That said, he's a warm presence, a local native, and damn solid anchor. If I was in charge, he'd be my pick.

And here's the full, 15-minute farewell. Very nice. https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-anchor-steve-sanders-retires-after-37-years/

Bob Jordan and Tom Skilling are at the desk for Steve's send-off, along with his girlfriend, son, and a host of writers and producers.

There's a pane they placed in front of it, when they refreshed the desk in the fall. It gets blurry and out of focus, when viewed on an angle. It's completely see-through straight-on.

I guess the CURRENT World News set-up still includes the 2nd video wall. Maybe I just missed it, but this is the first time I've seen an exchange at the desk all week.

99.9% chance that includes the Marquee network, as well.

It looks like they still want to have a dedicated traffic anchor on the Evening News, but also have said individual serve as a GA reporter on the late shows. https://nexstar.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/nexstar/job/IL-Chicago2501-W-Bradley-Place-WGN-TV/Traffic-Nightside-Reporter_REQ-3421

There's a quick shot of it at the end of this clip.

Studio 3 has officially been gutted, in preparation for News Nation construction. Cheap bastard Paul Konrad presents some stories of the studio, the audio booth, the old weather center, and a lot more.

Election night is always over the top. I'm more interested in how they'll use it nightly. The options are wide open. This is the first time in more than a dozen years that they've explored the potential of the studio's height.

It's been 24 years.