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Bryan Abel is leaving WXYZ for CNN Newssource… he was their 5pm anchor. 
 

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2024/04/30/brian-abel-is-leaving-wxyz-tv-detroit-for-cnn/73518574007/

It was actually Saturday 4/20. 

1 hour ago, LTSC1980 said:

That 3D logo made the stations looks so 2000s

That might have been the idea… their 2000’s graphics package circle 7 spun like that. 

Well… they got some nifty new preview graphics in a light blue color:

Also a new background for use in a multiple person box, not sure how well it shows up but it’s using some of the same light blue color. They’ve had the blue on their jackets for years now. It’s about the same shade that Honda uses for its commercials. Lower Thirds are the same. 

Sports sponsorship bumper showing new sports logo:

11pm Open complete with some actual movement with the logo:

7 News Detroit Sponsorship Bumper:

9 hours ago, GodfreyGR said:

I can appreciate this comparison, and it ties into what @Samantha was saying earlier about Scripps' values in journalism. The KSHB rebrand did a great job at utilizing the channel number as the brand and slogan- I end up in KC a decent amount and remember seeing the "News For Every One" (Stories, A Voice, A Community...). I remember thinking the approach was unique and built a community-minded angle that seemed to take a stab at first-place KMBC/Hearst, where many stories in the newscast are introed "covering (location) tonight". The positioning for KSHB also is a good setting/base for ScrippsCast (can argue that later).

 

Has it pulled KSHB out of 4h place? Not sure. Would love to know if there was a dent made. If northing else, there is likely a greater brand awareness for Channel 41. However, to the point, there are now 4 newscasts in Detroit. if WXYZ is not in 1st place and ratings are lagging or sinking, this might be worth a shot. Including Detroit as the brand might also be a stab at CBS (Again, has WWJ made any dent in the ratings or is there any trend showing they are on track to?)

They been stuck in 2nd since 2009 overall and third in the demo… they have nothing to lose.

6 hours ago, GraphicsMan said:

It called tradition, we need to keep them. Just like how WPVI the mother of the Action News brand would never do something like this and drop it. Or even worse drop Move Closer to your world. Jim Gardner retired from channel 6, in 10 years should we drop the “Action News”  branding and MCTYW? No. Because it’s tradition. WXYZ in Detriot caved to modernism by rebranding.

I hate to break it to you but all three major stations in Detroit will have now rebranded at least once. It happens. Folks in this market seem to like the hype of WDIV and absolutely nothing 7 has tried seems to work. They have been stuck in second since 2009 and there for 22 of the last 28 years. Even though their newscasts are really well put together now they spent years in the doldrums quality wise and never really followed the format to begin with even in the 1970’s. Their newscasts weren’t so different from KABC or WABC or WLS that we should say they reinvented the ABC local news wheel. It’s not the tradition it is in Philly or something either. If it means better graphic elements and a new voiceover and maybe talent opens and a new style that’s probably a positive on aggregate. Their focus is gonna be on using 7 and Channel 7… they don’t even have a slogan anymore. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

6 minutes ago, GodfreyGR said:

Anyone know how much WPVI shells out for it? You'd think ABC would make a move to buy the TM from Cox (Or tie an affiliation renewal to it?)

 

Side thought- PVI probably pays way too much for the rights, but history tells us what happens if you change that brand (MCTYW revamp, exhibit A)

If you tweak the name and leave the product exactly the same or nearly so… will anybody notice? That’s what I think they are up to. 

2 hours ago, 24994J said:

 

In-house package, 2001-05

Thanks, I knew you would know it. First image from the News era I could find and it took a minute to come up with one. 

Just now, Rusty Muck said:

Wasn't that because WJBK at the time used the EWN name? Of course with an anchor like Bill Bonds at the helm, it wouldn't have been a proper use of the EWN format anyway. Same with Irv at WKBW not exactly implementing the Action News format with the EWN name.

Correct WJBK beat ABC to it in Detroit so they adopted the other name but it left their product somewhere in the middle. It was unique among the original 5 stations in that way. 

21 minutes ago, Weeters said:

General reminder that the "Action News" trademark is owned by Cox (and "Eyewitness News" is owned by CBS!) and stations have to pay to use them. Why should Scripps keep paying for a brand name for a format that hasn't been properly used in decades? I know folks have a weird affinity for these two brands, but come on. This is, by far, a better logo than some of the other Scripps rebrands over the past few years.

They always had the same style as KABC or KGO… they never really followed the Action News format… it always looked like Eyewitness news with a little more relaxed freewheeling style. Then they got lost after bonds left and adopted a WABC-ish caricature that was actually really good in the 2000’s before falling off a cliff from say 2011 to 2021. Currently they have gone way hard news with very little hype… this new branding fits pretty well with what they are doing and the improvements they’ve made to the product. Their newscasts could use to be a lot less sleepy though. There isn’t any flare at all for whatever reason. Not even the kind that you can do for free by changing or tweaking style. 
 

The logo looks like something one of the O&O’s would make when they had dropped the Eyewitness part of the name… at least if you squint and move the word news around. This one is a WLS version from well… 24994J would likely know. 
 

WXYZ Will be rebranding from 7 Action News to 7 News Detroit starting Monday morning at 430am. The morning show will be “7 News Detroit This Morning” which doesn’t have much ring to it. This is the first time they’ve rebranded their newscasts since 1972.
 

They even have a nifty new logo that vaguely looks like it means hard news:

5 minutes ago, froyo49 said:

The pointless gloss that doesn’t emphasize anything, lens flares on top banners, and everything flying in/up/around

This game can be played with any decorative element, and for the same reason your neighbor covers their house with Christmas lights, it’s there to draw attention. imo the graphics should complement the story, not distract from it, but the consultants often don’t seem to think so

The fancy arrows DO have a purpose… they “move” the little line below the headline in the previews… you know… like you do in an app! Kinda like tabs that look like text boxes… it’s what all the kids are into right? I swear these ideas are from somebody about to retire who is about as hip as a heart attack. 

I managed to fire up the online newscast on my Apple TV so I can see what this looks like on a TV vs. my phone… the lower thirds owe royalties to somebody in Fargo, ND. There is no separation to the names of someone being interviewed and where they are from. A thin line between top and bottom would be awfully nice. The transitions where the graphic swings in and swings out again (weather for example) looks familiar… like 2012 familiar. Making your audience dizzy trying to read your graphic still isn’t in style. 
 

The best part of the package is probably the weather graphics. 

I never thought I would have a use for this but…

*Cough*

Why do TV news people have to have the same hard headed product philosophies as car executives? Keep it simple and don’t try to overflash or make it harder to read a graphic or see an image in an open. A large chunk of the viewers are older and may be turned off by it.

I think I prefer something simpler. I’d rather have the Scripps package than this. There are too many elements moving all over the place, the mashup music is jarring and strange. The live bug is weird looking and reminds me of something CNN might use. For spending years making it the whole thing looks like a ridiculous rush job. Color me disappointed. WLS downgraded big time. I’ll second whoever said it looks like WABC’s package. 

1 hour ago, CircleWXYZ said:

They just finished hiring all the spots for the weekend newscasts.  They are supposed to debut this summer.  Heard this from a couple of people who are involved with the station.

Have they caught 20 yet? I kinda have my doubts…

15 hours ago, LexTVandRadio said:

I just noticed this on twitter.  

 

"Scripps News Norfolk". Is that how they are telling other stories from other markets? 

 

Asking for a friend… doesn’t anybody proofread anything or understand what the edit button does?

On 5/27/2023 at 1:00 AM, 24994J said:

 

I'd generally agree, but there's precedent across the O&O's, regarding 3-anchor morning shows. All in the last 2 years, KABC promoted weekend anchors Gregory & Brown to succeed Brandi Hitt with Leslie Sykes. WLS added Val Warner from 'Windy City Live Weekend' to the 6-8am block. KTRK also brought in Jacob Rascon to anchor from 6 to 8. WABC isn't broke, but there's reason to think they might try something a little different.

I was more referring to changing the name of the show and the format to be more like GMA… they can play 3rd wheel anchors if they want and probably be ok. I’ll bet there are a lot of rusted in place dials out there that won’t care. 

3 hours ago, RaleighTVBOI1 said:

I mean the 3 anchor format in the mornings KABC does it there always number 1 in the mornings. Mike i can see if they don’t take this idea Mike getting the new role. Though 3 would be good Michelle deserves weekdays I kinda hate how they have to compete for a promotion.

Los Angeles isn’t New York. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. All those people that tune in expect the same basic product they are getting now. What you are suggesting is like New Coke.

13 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

Agreed.

IDK about the pay part but Russ Mitchell left CBS News in 2009 to take a lead anchor position in Ohio. Contessa Brewer went from MSNBC to WNBC. Or I've seen reporters in bigger local markets, go down to smaller markets in order to get a anchor position. Example Sheldon Dutes or Jummy O from WNBC going to Orlando and DC respectively. Sometimes taking a step down, can make for a more comfortable working or living position, or a larger role in a smaller organization.

Exactly.

 

The person who made the claim about Shirleen not being nice to work with, I'm not saying it's false, we just need more context and specifics.

 

Yes, one complaint makes it  comfortable for others to speak up, but it also looks fishy if people out of the blue start complaining about someone after one allegation.

 

From personal experience...you can't base your opinion of someone by other people's judgments, BUT you can use it as a warning.

There could be a thousand reasons why someone would move to a local station from a national one that don’t involve pay. When it comes down to it these are still people and despite the minor fame it works exactly the way it would in literally any other job. 

On 5/18/2023 at 3:45 PM, CircleWXYZ said:

Also, would WWJ dare go to the call letter box, following KDKA, WBZ, etc?   I didn’t think so a month ago but now, I don’t know.

WXYZ can get away with that with no station slogan and the alternating designations WXYZ, 7 and Channel 7 used interchangeably in their advertising. They’ve been using those three as their main branding since the 1970’s and maybe longer.
 

CBS has the problem of it being too new and sharing call letters with WWJ 950AM… they already brand themselves starting with WWJ. So this is very unlikely.

1 hour ago, CircleWXYZ said:

I suggest you contact the powers that be.  Just relaying information.

So you didn’t ask the $64 question about how well it’s really doing? 

14 hours ago, CircleWXYZ said:

Recently talked with some with the station and the ratings for WWJ are improving each week. Though it’s obviously in 4th place, the fact that ratings are growing each week and growing this fast is a great sign for things to come.  This is what happens when you have a great product on the air.  Keep up the good work, CBS News Detroit.

Growing fast by what sort of measure? If it’s 0.2 to 0.4 that’s not exactly celebration worthy…

32 minutes ago, RealNews18 said:

That’s exactly it. FOX5 used to do Lews View and clearly label it.. I believe WPIX too used to do something similar.. Bill just interjects and shows clear bias. 

The format itself is known for what they call “happy talk”… things like “gee it’s a shame that happened” or “let’s hope they get those guys!”.. are you suggesting it goes beyond innocuous comments?

On 4/19/2023 at 9:11 PM, MorningNews said:

Sandra and Joe are an exceptional duo (potentially the station’s strongest?) Their roles as the weekend PM pairing for 20 years is intentional, it’s made them staples.

 

For me, Bill’s delivery is a bit of a train wreck at times. He diverts from the script nearly every story and he’s not great at ad-libbing which makes it even more obvious when he’s doing it. Finally, his editorial contributions on every story is borderline unprofessional for a top market anchor. 

Editorial contributions on every story were once a standard operating procedure some places you realize…

WTMJ Morning Meteorologist Marisa Woloszyn is leaving for WXYZ in Detroit. She will be doing weekend evenings and during the week fill-ins. She starts in late May.
 

Meanwhile Mike Taylor was promoted from weekend evenings to weekday morning meteorologist replacing Kevin Jeanes who just left for WMAQ in Chicago. 

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2023/4/13/headed-to-motown