mountainave

You’re right - I forgot!

Maurice and John were indeed at the desk together; they're not alternating anchor duties. Margaret Brennan led with the first story, providing a mix of reporting and analysis. With two male anchors, which networks and cable have avoided for several decades at this point, it's not a surprise that they would feature her in a prominent role. Good balance. The first block featured two packages: one on Deep Seek and one on an espionage story. They're essentially doing the opposite of what WNT and NN have done. Instead of shortening packages and squeezing in as many stories as they can, they're covering fewer stories, their packages are much longer, and most are followed by extended talk-backs between both anchors and the correspondent. The first two packages were followed by a fast-paced "Round Up" reading of the day's headlines, and then the first commercial break. During the first commercial break, they displayed headlines and kept a dynamic live shot of the anchors during the commercial break. The latter, in particular, was a pretty cool concept. Was able to grab a quick pic (attached). This didn't continue in the subsequent commercial breaks, though. And there's probably a better use for the lower left corner than showing temperatures around the world. Maybe sports scores, stock market closing numbers, sunsets from U.S. cities, or an image corresponding to the headline to the right. The show ended with both anchors giving a commentary on the bravery of firefighters across the country. This show isn't going to beat ABC or NBC, but maybe it'll beat previously iterations of CBSEN. It seems like a solid product and, with fewer stories and correspondents, it's probably cheaper to produce.

A few brief thoughts: Not sure Wolf has ever co-anchored a broadcast (other than virtually for special broadcasts). He's been flying solo in studio for decades. Will be interesting to see. Hopefully Pamela learns from his direct interview style. Tapper is a strong anchor and has been Wolf's heir apparent, so not surprised he'll take the 5-7 slot, though I'm disappointed it'll be as part of The Lead. I would rather see him become host of Situation Room 5p-7p than move The Lead into that slot. I never loved the format, pace, organization, graphics, music, etc of The Lead. I think it lacks the same gravitas that gives Situation Room a commanding presence. Somewhat surprised Alex Marquardt doesn't fit in to the succession plan given he's been a primary fill-in on Sit Room and done a strong job. However, he was a central figure in CNN's recent defamation suit which probably didn't help him.

CNN is expected to announce significant layoffs tomorrow as part of an effort to reposition for strength in digital.

Recall that Ken Rosato and Lori Stokes anchored the 4:30 am, 5:00 am, 6:00am, mid-morning news updates, and noon broadcasts until Lisa Colagrossi died from a brain aneurysm that her family attributed to her grueling hours, and Ken and Lori in turn demanded (appropriately) a reduction in work.

She also anchored a great version of CNN Tonight 10p-12a in a round-table format similar to the current CNN NewsNight. Her husband died in July, and she has children to care for in addition to grieving herself. She also wrote a memoir, Combat Love, which is being adapted for screen.

A good agent, strict contract, and seniority.

Comcast is spinning off its cable networks into a new and separate company. Interestingly, Comcast will retain NBC and NBC News but intends to spin off MSNBC as part of the new and separate entity. It is unclear what implications this will have for MSNBC but may included loss of shared newsgathering and talent with NBC as well as a rebrand.

I understand the questions raised regarding Marza. I think there is a youthfulness in his voice which is a contrast to the deeper tone (and impression of gravitas) that Ritter and Torres have. Marza is certainly qualified, though, and if station leadership felt it was a problem they could've either recruited someone else or had him work with a voice coach, but they obviously don't see an issue. Regarding Michelle -- though the assumption has been that she doesn't want the job, she said publicly during a live stream on her Facebook after Lori's departure that she did want the job.

Surprised CBS picked up Rob Marciano after the widely-reported personnel issue at ABC.

ABC O&O websites received a small facelift that brightens them a bit. More white. Blues are more royal than navy.

Am I the only one who watched the interview? Tony didn't suggest that Palestinians shouldn't exist; that's a ridiculous thing to post. There was no disrespect from Tony. His questions were certainly direct but were asked with a calm voice and a clear invitation for Coates to respond openly. Have any of you lobbing criticism at Tony actually read Coates' book? Coates explained that he wrote about the Israel-Gaza conflict exclusively through the lens of the plight of the Palestinians and did not at all discuss the Israeli perspective or the violence they've endured because he felt the Israeli perspective was widely covered elsewhere in media. So of course it's fair game for a journalist to ask why he chose to do that and the potential implications of that. If you write controversial or one-sided points of view in a book and go on a hard news network's morning show to discuss it, you should expect pointed questions about those views. This is the network of 60 Minutes; not People Magazine.

Because co-anchoring the most important show on the network would pay way, way more than hosting a show on the streaming service and elevate him one of the most important anchors at the network. In any case, expect to see a rotation of talent auditioning for the role. It's one of, if not the, most important roles at the network given how much revenue TODAY generates for NBC, so it will be thoughtful and highly unlike to be someone from outside the NBC family. Familiarity to viewers is critical.

Per Puck, Kotb was making more than $20 million a year and would have had to accept a pay cut had she stayed.

Per Dylan Byers at Puck, Jeff Glor is among those being cut in the latest round of Paramount layoffs.

Sade did a great job. (Funny to see from that 9 minute clip reel, though, how little the anchors are really doing over the course of the two hour show. Definitely not Charlie and Diane's GMA -- but that's nothing new.) It's certainly no coincidence that a WABC anchor was tapped to fill in on GMA -- where plenty of network correspondents would be happy for a chance to fill in -- after Debra O'Connell took over ABC News.

He is returning as Chief Media Analyst. Won't be hosting a show but will be providing analysis and running the Reliable Sources newsletter he started. His return follows Oliver Darcy's departure.

WNT senior EP Almin Karamehmedovic appointed President of ABC News, filling the position left open by Kim Godwin's departure. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/almin-karamehmedovic-president-abc-news-1236110648/

The talk shows (Live, Tamron, The View) are all moving in time for the start of the fall season, but as was previously mentioned, I agree that spring is likely for the the rest of the news division. Election programming makes extensive, atypical use of studio space requiring months of planning, and it's unlikely they'd want to try that all out in a brand new location this close to a presidential election. Not yet clear when WABC will move.

Several network correspondents have left their jobs for anchor roles at local stations in major markets. The pay is comparable or in most cases better, hours are predictable, and there’s no travel required. For plenty of people, especially those with families, all of those things can be more important that just having a national profile. Bill Ritter, Liz Cho, and Rob Nelson all did this, leaving ABC News to join WABC as anchors. Before returning to ABC News, Whit Johnson had left CBS News for an anchor/reporter role at KNBC. There are countless other examples.

A big faux pas from George: after his widely-praised interview with Biden, someone passed him on the street in New York and asked if he thought Biden should resign, to which George responded "I don't think he can serve 4 more years" The moment was caught on camera and, of course, made its way to TMZ. https://www.tmz.com/2024/07/09/george-stephanopoulos-president-joe-biden-cant-serve-4-more-years-sidewalk-election/

There is some truth to your point -- specifically during breaking news -- that average viewers are more interested in the facts than who's in the chair... but the networks also know viewers like familiarity. The networks have someone in the building 24/7 who is responsible for hopping in the chair in the event of breaking news. During the day it's a familiar face, but during nights, weekends, and holidays, it's often a correspondent or anchor of a less-watched show (e.g., at ABC, after WNT production is done for the night, it's often whoever is anchoring Nightline that night). If breaking news that merits a special report (i.e. interruption of programming) happens outside of daytime, the networks will usually start with the on-call person in the building. If the news is deemed to be truly significant (meaning coverage will be ongoing, involving more than just a special report during a commercial break), then the networks will typically call in the chief anchor or another daytime anchor who is more recognizable to viewers to take over the ongoing coverage. Can't speak to what the arrangement at CBS was the night Bob Simon died. There was obviously a very personal element to that specific story. Wouldn't surprise me if Pelley wanted to be the one to deliver the news, even if someone else was in the building.

Sara Sidner announced at the end of News Central that she'll be off air for several weeks as she undergoes surgery related to her breast cancer. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Longtime CNN political commentator Alice Stewart was found dead this morning. She had just appeared on CNN yesterday. She was always smart and respectful. Colleagues in politics and media are sharing reflections all over Twitter. Rest in peace. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/18/politics/alice-stewart-cnn-commentator-dies/index.html

Phil Mattingly was named Chief Domestic Correspondent: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/cnn-phil-mattingly-chief-domestic-correspondent-1235924781/