mountainave

Not uncommon for the bench reporters to be called up around Christmas, but this is earlier than usual and she is brand new. Good for her.

Very unlikely this would be addressed on air. If anything, through a statement or messages on their social media accounts. Importantly, this was (is) a relationship between two consenting adults who are not professionally subordinate to one another or in a position to influence the other's employment. Whether or not their relationship constituted an extramarital affair is unclear, but even if it did, it's not a situation for which a morality clause is typically invoked and is unlikely to affect either's employment with the company.

Camille Edwards was not promoted internally to WABC VP/ND. She was hired from WRC, the D.C. NBC affiliate.

It isn't really coincidental. The new guys running CNN used to run CBS This Morning.

Given the recent streak of internal promotions, I frankly assumed the role would go to Kim Dillon or Peter Kunz, both of whom were elevated to the role of AND and co-led the newsroom throughout Aslam's medical leave.

Breaking news is, by definition, unexpected.

Navarro is not expected to appear on the show every day: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/view-names-alyssa-farah-griffin-ana-navarro-hosts/story?id=87888593

The most interesting nugget from this article is not that AFG is joining The View, but that Ana Navarro wanted the full-time spot and didn't get it. It'd been widely thought that she was only interested in the part time hosting gig. The show's staff has previously said they were looking for someone who would refute the election lies but who was not a "Never Trumper." Griffin checks both boxes, whereas Navarro has been widely critical of both Trump and the GOP since Trump's candidacy and lacks favorability among conservative viewers. https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-view-alyssa-farah-new-host-1235319329/

Sam's already working only 4 days a week, and it would not surprise me if he intended to renegotiate for either more vacation time, fewer workdays, or more favorable hours (i.e., coming on later in the morning or leaving before the noon show). More generally, he's a flight risk given that he really doesn't need the job. Similarly, though Lee will be around for a while, one can reason he'll at some point negotiate for fewer shows or more vacation time. So, even if there is no impending talent departure, whether it's for bench-building or just vacation coverage, an extra hire is a good thing to do given the status of the rest of the team.

Just noticed a posting for a weather anchor on WABC's jobs page. Not sure if it's a stale listing or an active one.

This was my thought as well. I'd expect her to show up as an anchor or anchor/reporter in a slightly downmarket DMA.

He's done this on and off during the pandemic. It's a nice touch, especially on Fridays, and he has a beautiful backyard from which to do it. I do wonder what the contingency plan is if there are signal or connectivity issues. Not sure if there is another meteorologist in the newsroom on those days, or if they would have Lee call in via phone and talk over the maps, or if they'd just put up the 7 day forecast and have the anchors read it.

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/good-morning-america-tv-ratings-news-today-1235283664/ GMA winning in the 25-54 demo, attributed in part to getting anchors out of the studio and to locations of major stories.

One of whom is Kim Dillon, longtime producer at the station who was recently promoted to AND.

Was a new WABC President/GM ever named after Chad Matthews was promoted to lead ABC O&Os earlier this year? Haven't seen any announcements.

Kristin Thorne is moving over to the investigations unit.

He's a strong reporter, in the mold of Burkett and Dolan.

She was always a strong fill-in for WABC and knows the city well. Seems like a no-brainer for the station.

He left at the end of 2013 https://deadline.com/2013/12/sam-champion-leaves-good-morning-america-for-weather-channel-ginger-zee-to-replace-him-645620/

Sure, that sounds better, but those are two different asks. If people DVR the broadcast it contributes to the program's ratings.

Alternatively, GMA's gradual phasing-out of Times Square backdrops and outdoor segments may be a subtle effort to wean the audience off of that element of the show. It may be an indication that Disney plans to relocate GMA to Hudson Square and sell the Times Square Studio once ABC News moves to its new headquarters.

Not a new development, but Sam’s obviously been given quite a bit of latitude in the on-air dress code.

Congratulations to him. He’s had a meteoric rise in leadership at the station, going from VP/ND after Camille Edwards left to Pres/GM and now this, in just a matter of years. He’s clearly a strong leader who is well liked.

Recall that Khemlani's charge was to cut costs across the division. It would not surprise me if this were a sly but effective tactic by CBS in Norah's contract renegotiation to suggest to her that she is dispensable, in an effort to counter her request for more money.

Chantee Lans has joined WABC, with recent stops as an anchor and investigative reporter in Shreveport, and a general assignment reporter at CBS Philly. https://www.instagram.com/p/CW6KFvSLU54/