TheRob

What companies like Sinclair really want is access to New York (WPIX), Los Angeles (KTLA) and Chicago (WGN)-- mostly WGN. I warned about it when Liguori started complaining about the stock price (i.e., the investors want their money). Tribune sold real estate. They sold Gracenote. They offered buyouts. Liguori is leaving. Station sales are next. If no company can be formed to buy the whole lot, then Tribune will have to smash itself with a hammer.

Former Minneapolis sports broadcaster Rod Simons has died. http://www.fox9.com/news/236927360-story

The spectrum auction quiet period has ended. Big station groups are revealing the revenue, but not the specific allocations sold. http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/with-tribunes-take-spectrum-auction-proceeds-top-630-million/185533

KTXL's templates are weird because the producers don't set a hard "out" time. I think the Tribune animation is supposed to hit at 56:45 on weeknights and 57:45 on Saturday night.

A couple of months ago, I mentioned a WEWS anchor interviewed with us for our open anchor position. http://fox4kc.com/2017/01/05/fox-4-adds-evening-anchor/ Also, Abby Eden is moving to the morning show and Loren Halifax is moving nightside.

I know a great co-anchor, if she could stay out of prison.

KMBC morning meteorologist Erin Little is leaving the station. http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/tv/article124173359.html

KMBC - a couple of promos from May 1998

Hot spots won't help much. Extra hot spots did almost no good for us or any other TV station during World Series coverage a couple of years ago. They need to use the satellite space and feed using dedicated lines.

Turner Sports announced the death of NBA reporter Craig Sager today. He was 65.

One morning anchor moves nightside at KMBC to join the new guy they hired from Lafayette. http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/kansas-city-station-adds-anchor-announces-new-team/182933

Merry Christmas, you're fired (at WTSP). http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2016/12/9/tegna-continues-to-trim-tampa-station

Two former co-workers of mine work at a Sinclair station in the western U.S., but they also do news for a Sinclair station in the Midwest. These two stations are 1,500 miles apart and the same anchors and producers are doing news for both. Toledo and South Bend is nothing. I wouldn't be surprised if more of the talent is centralized in the future, especially in regions where one company owns a station in every market.

Tribune's new Chicago home http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/11/28/tribune-media-moving-wacker-drive/

http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/after-long-search-wcpo-names-news-director/182254 The guy who recruits managers for Scripps named himself the ND at WCPO.

Yes, WDAF-TV. We've had an anchor opening for a few months and many candidates have passed through the station.

One of their anchors was in our building for an audition recently. I get the feeling morale is low up there.

They dig deep into the navel of news content.

Longtime New York reporter Dick Oliver has died. He last worked at WNYW. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/nyregion/dick-oliver-died-good-day-new-york.html?_r=0

I'll admit I'm sort-of-curious. Is he doing a live shot from a turf war in Mt. Hope or something? Don't you love the managers who declare "Active! Props! Live shots need more energy!" That worked so well for that station in Greensboro in which the reporter decided to use the handcuffs. The viewers aren't leaving television news because we don't use enough props.

Longtime Nashville reporter dies from cancer http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/mark-bellinger-dies-after-long-battle-with-cancer

Scott is reporting that NWCN will cease operations next year. http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2016/10/27/breaking-tegan-to-shut-down-cable-news-channel

NPG will launch its St. Joseph, Mo., NBC affiliate on November 1. Their Facebook page is live. https://www.facebook.com/NBC21KNPG/

Betsey Bruce is retiring from KTVI after 46 years of reporting in St. Louis. http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/joe-holleman/betsey-bruce-retiring-after-almost-years-of-reporting-at-st/article_2d4bf528-eaff-5b73-a48c-ae4be424b2be.html?mode=comments

I recall TEGNA had a similar meeting with morning show managers last year. I don't think anything came of it. If you're a top-rated TEGNA station making money, I'm not sure why you would want to fix what isn't broken.