TheRolyPoly

An IMPORTANT update regarding WSVN 7. WSVN has started the groundbreaking on their new building in Miramar. Its scheduled to open in 2027 and my friend Craig Stevens has shared photos on LinkedIn on its ceremony including... its new future set once it moves in. That new set... wow. The Newsplex is going to impress once again. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/craig-stevens-88067a6_wsvn-fox-abcmiami-activity-7402750480382111744-cVwz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABqGw-0BrOQ_9csrv95OAtvM37gqLkE_dSc

KRON 4 has brought back Stanley Roberts and People Behaving Badly after a decade-long hiatus. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/people-behaving-badly-and-stanley-roberts-return-to-kron4/amp/

I'm posting this from a broadcasting perspective, NOT a political one. Israel has been allowed to participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 in Austria. As a result? Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS (which like NOS is owned by NPO), Spain's RTVE, Ireland's RTE, and Slovenia's RTV won't participate NOR air the song contest this year. https://news.sky.com/story/israel-allowed-to-take-part-in-eurovision-2026-as-at-least-two-countries-withdraw-13479330?fbclid=IwY2xjawOesTZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR6Isk3z6BHrORJaakFRHidgm72NYsW-RPnRebKfylEVk8DrGRtpMzd_P3LHKg_aem_KbaQcPIPVptwhqXqjo052A

Sorry for bringing this back up, but there's another one coming... Former KATV meteorologist James Bryant is joining a new 24/7 statewide weather streaming network, the Arkansas Weather Network, which launches December 13th. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02e5awC9CwYT5kykMFfz9WxCwXSu7tfnkkcyHkiPNZcZiky4FxoMdfp2KWCUMfAfEXl&id=61581144627683

This is from The Boston Globe, but they love to have a paywall, so someone dug it up and created a link for all of us to use, paywall-free. This is for WHDH Boston's replacement for Kim Khazei... its Jadiann Thompson, a decade-long veteran of the station now, who'll move to the 5:00, 6:00, 10:00, and 11:00 p.m. role with Adam Williams that Kim had. There is no word on Jadiann's replacement for the other newscasts at 4:00, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and 9:00 p.m. as of yet. https://www.smry.ai/proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonglobe.com%2F2025%2F12%2F02%2Fmetro%2Fwhdh-new-anchor-announcement-jadiann-thompson%2F

WBTS seems to have something unique going for itself when it comes to high-profile murder trials in the Boston market. A few months ago, WBTS devoted its entire 7pm newscast every weeknight to the high-profile Karen Reed murder trial when it was in session, calling it Canton Confidential. It seems like with a new high-profile trial of Brian Walshe, WBTS is doing it again with Commonwealth Confidential, which devotes its 7pm newscast to this one trial alone every weeknight. It seemed like the first version was a success, and WBTS was interested in doing it again. WCVB is not doing something like this, so its interesting to see WBTS do it, even if ratings are still abysmal for the station. Yes, I'm aware Court TV is covering this too, but for a local station to devote a half-hour newscast on one story, a high-profile disappearance and later murder trial, is quite something.

The KSHB 41 Newsroom is now dedicated to former anchor and reporter but current Community Relationships Director Cynthia Newsome who's been with the station for 28 years but has been in her current off-air role since 2021. https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kshb-41-news-dedicates-newsroom-to-former-anchor-reporter-cynthia-newsome?fbclid=IwY2xjawObYo9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR7jJStiffmVvd11eZ7of8YRW4GyK0bHutsLxxbahtpfqSgyYLNrrVMENMoPEg_aem_Qq3F4ZCIIknoMFGefZcJLw

Hanna Battah has made it to the big time and this is why she left KDFW... ... to join ABC News and anchor World News NOW and GMA First Look alongside ex-KABC'er Sophie Flay. I don't know if this is the first time two women regularly anchor a nightly overnight news program in the country but I think they just made history for it. https://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2025/12/hanna-battah-joins-abc-news-world-news.html?m=1

Two more Scripps independents have rebranded, including the OG original KMCI. WACY KMCI EDIT: Out of all the Indies left by Scripps, "KDF-TV", WHDT, WMYD, and WSFL are the lone holdouts without the branding (so too is WSYM.2, but its being traded with Gray Media, so I don't expect it there).

KOIN cut out Jeff Gianola's final words initially on YouTube. Thankfully, with BTS footage, its just been reuploaded in full.

Not a graphics knockoff but a logo knockoff. A & E Blind, Awning, and Glass LLC in Wichita Falls, Texas. They should hope that A+E Networks doesn't sue them.

After a legendary 33-year run, including being the INAUGURAL Morning Edition meteorologist, WCJB's Chief Meteorologist Mike Potter is retiring and next Friday, Dec. 5th, is his last day. https://www.wcjb.com/2025/11/26/tv20-chief-meteorologist-mike-potter-announces-retirement-after-33-years/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOYMVdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR6xhCEOnbhkNCFVzR3T7dKuImNkx2EaV69vvwt-32bxNmA-3Wqc4ad1MMO_AA_aem_T1GFqWeZT6NCzH2E3OjGRw

Alan Holt has decided to leave KIII Corpus Christi after a 13-year run. However, he's staying with TEGNA as he's moving to WCSH Portland/WLBZ Bangor to do weeknights.

Another sign off later tonight besides KOIN's Jeff Gianola... WHBQ's Darrell Greene after a 15-year run there. 10pm is his last. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRh6CyOgXOm/?igsh=YXc0djNubnZ3NWFk

KTRK Houston is about to lose a major face in their newscasts. The current longest-running anchor in Houston, Melanie Lawson, has announced her retirement. Her last day at KTRK is January 31st, 2026. https://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2025/11/melanie-lawson-retirement.html?m=1

It looks like Gray is expanding Local News LIVE into actual over-the-air television. Three test markets are being developed for this method, and this is in addition to LLT: Local Look Today, which is the name of the same network for cable providers. According to RabbitEars: KLNL-LD 14.1 College Station (brand new station, sister to KBTX, unknown on picture format) KTLE-LD 20.5 Odessa (Telemundo on .1; sister to KOSA and KCWO, 480i 16:9 SD) KLBB-LD 48.5 Lubbock (Me-TV on .1; 1080i HD)

I guess Michaela Pereira's own show isn't happening after all because she has joined Sinclair as executive producer for a new company-wide feature. https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/sinclair-names-michaela-pereira-executive-producer-of-amazing-america/

On March 22nd, 2026, AFN will be sunsetting their satellite service. Users are recommended to switch over to AFN NOW, their streaming app. As a result, AFN | Spectrum, AFN | Family (+ AFN | Pulse), and AFN | Movie are all going away. What's left? AFN | Prime (Atlantic and Pacific), AFN | News, and AFN | Sports (1 and 2). https://myafn.dodlive.mil/DTH-Sunset/

And quickly become a Sinclair employee after a short time if Sinclair and Scripps goes through. Unrelated to that but for those with recorders... Tracy Davidson's last day at WCAU is tomorrow. Jeff Gianola's last day at KOIN is on Wednesday.

Last night, KCRA 3's Del Rodgers announced that this current high school football season was his last. That's because he has set his retirement date for Monday, December 1st after 28 years at KCRA 3. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRWejqPgmvY/?igsh=OGN2M2RibzB3d2Zy

Another programming change... I don't think many people know that WDNN-CD out of Dalton, Ga., is now also owned by Gray Media. Since then, Gray has moved the station's COL to Chattanooga (the TV market home of Dalton, Ga.) and has added Telemundo Chattanooga on 49.1 and Tennessee Valley Sports and Entertainment on 49.2. For the record, Gray DOES NOT own a major affiliate in the market as its saturated by Sarkes Tarizan (WRCB), Sinclair (WTVC/.1 and .2 + manages WFLI), and Morris (WDEF).

Its 10 years in federal prison for former KNXV anchor Stephanie Hockridge for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the COVID loan scheme trial. It would've been 20 but she's only getting half that. Not only that, her husband will be sentenced next month and together with her, her husband, and other defendants in this case will have to collectively pay together $64 million to the Small Business Administration as restitution. https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/ex-news-anchor-to-be-sentenced-friday-on-federal-conspiracy-charge

Dagmar Midcap last worked in Atlanta at CBS Atlanta - WGCL. She's coming back to work in Atlanta at CBS Atlanta - WUPA. https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/11/dagmar-midcap-coming-back-to-atlanta-tv-15-years-after-departure/

Lauren Jiggets had to submit an "audition" tape to WGN to land the job of fill in for Micah this week on the evening news. EDIT:

Warren Armstrong will anchor his last 11pm newscast for KFSN in early January. Then, it won't be until late next year, November 2026 to be exact, when Warren (who'll still be anchoring at 5 and 6pm until then) will retire from KFSN after a four-decade career in broadcasting, and by then 26 years at KFSN. https://www.google.com/amp/s/abc30.com/amp/post/action-news-anchor-warren-armstrong-dials-back-schedule-prepares-retirement/18181736/