MorningNews

Gayle King hosted the Christmas show solo and I actually like the idea of doing a one-person show given the pre-recorded nature of the Christmas broadcasts. Somehow has a more intimate vibe.

Quite a low moment for ABC News and a bleak sign of where media is heading under this administration.

Disagree. Sade had an undisclosed illness for a period in 2023 and a knee replacement surgery in 2024, the latter which is widely known to be a grueling recovery process. It would be harsh to push her aside for health issues over the last year of her 20 years at WABC. It isn't that Liz is too good go for filling in - she has a contract that they agreed to for her services. FWIW, I’ve seen Liz at noon a number of times and she filled in for Bill and Sade at 11pm earlier this year. When she left 11pm years ago she expressed that it was to spend her evenings with her family.

If I understand what you’re asking correctly, this is similar to what a number of networks do. ABC in particular often has general reporters stand opposite sides of the street from their studios on 66th St and notes the location as simply “New York, NY”.

It’s a sign of the times really. GMA stopped regular doing outdoor segments a long time ago and even the crowds outside of Today’s studio 1A are a quarter of what they used to be most days. At one point NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and Fox had their respective morning programs broadcasting from a street side studio. That’s pretty much dwindled down to just one that actually leverages windows as part of the presentation today.

Don’t see why it would cause second guessing. The show has been in Times Square as ratings have slipped.

This longstanding reluctance and defiance to adapt is why I’m rooting hard for the continued erosion of the broadcast networks newscasts. Everything from GMA to WNT to Meet The Press just objectively sucks compared to 10 years ago.

Now that election season is over, when do we expect WABC to announce the changes mentioned here?

Precisely this. Houston proper is massive with massive suburbs as well. Dallas proper a bit smaller but with massive suburbs too and then another top 5 city (Fort Worth) included in its metro. I believe Houston’s DMA is Houston-Galveston-Sugarland-The Woodlands (large populous of the southeast texas region) Dallas is Dallas-Fort Worth. (North texas)

Her answer is also weird but I’m probably missing the context.

I mean, every newscast he’s on is the most watched. Seems apparent New Yorkers think he’s good enough.

Does WPVI air midday news on Saturdays? Interesting to only air on Sunday unless I’m missing something obvious. ETA: Remembering that CFB starts at noon on Saturdays for ABC. I guess that would be the “obvious” part I blanked on.

This was the plan a few years ago right until Bill pushed back to stay after the election? Good moves for both Mike and Pedro.

I think Brian leading CBS News could make the evening news broadcast instantly more competitive. People love him.

As we discuss the big free agent talent out there it’s probably wise to consider the state of broadcast media right now. I’d like an outside splashy hire but networks likely aren’t paying that kind of money on a roll of dice hire like they used to especially when there’s proven talent already in the building. I guess I also just don’t see an appetite being there for personalities who are not currently working because of ratings woes. Meredith was a moderator on the #1 daytime talk show when NBC snagged her. Norah was a prominent correspondent of the most watched network when CBS snagged her. Soledad O’Brien was weekend host of the most watched morning show when CNN took her. Just feels like those type of hires are of the past. Craig, Lauren, Peter Alexander, etc are all more than capable as any of the names mentioned and are already on the payroll.

I’m not seeing any striking resemblance in overall look between what they had and what they unveiled a few days ago.

I do agree regarding the screen right behind the anchors. It’s pretty busy but otherwise I like how they’re utilizing it for OTS’.

I’m not suggesting that ABC will mandate sets but I’d love to see something like this for WABC’s new set next spring.

I meant to say Craig IS a great option next to Savannah. I think he’s incredibly formidable in the role but it would be nice to see them swing big on an outside candidate too.

Craig is a great option next to Savannah but I almost want them to take a big swing at an outsider like they did with Meredith Vieira.

WCBS late night newscast was competitive with WABC a few years ago. I haven’t seen how the Kristine and Maurice duo has performed as of late.

Didn’t realize Maurice was keeping his WCBS duties. This format is going to be very interesting.

Excessive.

Oh brother, I forgot that lawsuit was even a thing.

I’ve never been big on David Muir but he did an impressive job last night despite the flak ABC is catching this morning. No offense to Robin but she would have been completely out of her depth leading political coverage. I think George and David both have some sort of clause that limits the other’s command of coverage for their respective day parts. Whit is good but he hasn’t done much political anchoring at ABC. Given all those, I think who they had was solid.