NWA_TV_guy

Morris has a new website layout. WXXV, WTVQ, WDEF, WCBI, WWAY and WMGT have made the switch and, in all honesty, it is a nice layout.

Yes

Hearst's WVTM in Birmingham has named Ken Lass' replacement: http://m.wvtm13.com/news/eunice-elliott-promoted-to-wvtm-13-news-anchor/38654874?utm_campaign=WVTM%2013&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_source=Social

Sounds like WJBF-TV has made the switch from the Media General Group Package by JDK Music to Stephen Arnold's Aerial. Here's an opening clip from today's Noon news:

I expect a lawsuit at some point. There's already a job listing on Raycom's website as of 2-29. Also, there's a listing for a GM on Raycom's website for WDAM (listed prior to these events). Management had their minds made up a long time ago that they wanted her out, but they needed a "legal" way to do it. I'm certain of it.

Miranda Beard revealed at a press conference Sunday afternoon that after WDAM received a tweet of a slide she used at a conference in Jackson after visiting her parents in TN she was escorted out of the building once she returned to work. News Director Nick Ortego and General Manager Joe Sciortino escorted Beard out of the building after they accused her of lying about her trip to Tennessee. Viewers are expressing their outrage on the station's Facebook page calling a boycott of channel 7. MORE: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2016/03/06/miranda-beard-looking-future-after-wdam-departure/81083920/

If I am not mistaken that's a volunteer position. I also saw her on the faculty/staff section of the Laurel School District. She has been involved with local education in Laurel/Jones County for years. There are some people who work for that long at a station and refuse to have any kind of tribute, etc., but this is not one of those instances. Hattiesburg Patriot's Facebook page has a ton of speculations as to what has happened, but nothing confirmed. That's why she will hold a press conference so the people who have watched her for all these years will hear it from her.

Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS market residents are left confused as to what has happened to WDAM's Miranda Beard. She was the morning/midday anchor and Asst. News Director and has been with the station for at least 30+ years. It appears that her last day at Ch. 7 was February 25. Calls, email, etc. to the station from viewers have gone unanswered. Beard sent local media a press release stating that she will answer the $1,000,000 question on Sunday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. at a press conference.

James verbally recited the station ID. I figured it was out of error. During events that overlap the top of the hour the station should display a L3 or something with the station ID for all stations.

ABC 33/40 and James Spann were on-air for a tornado warning earlier this evening around 6 p.m. when Spann opened the 6:00 p.m. news with the station ID and included WJSU (now WGWW) and WCFT (now WSES). I thought 33 and 40 were sold/ditched in the deal? Maybe he did that out of error? Just looking for some clarification.

New Orleans will lose a unique legend this Wednesday, March 2 as WVUE FOX8 Chief Meteorologist Bob Breck retires after nearly 40 years in New Orleans. Ch. 8 will air a one-hour special on Wednesday (03-02-16) from 6-7 p.m. CDT. David Bernard will officially take Bob's place as chief meteorologist after that.

That's correct. Viewers do not like watching Jackson news and Javkson weather. I don't know why they're still simulcasting.

WHLT's final days with an in-house news department before Media General tossed it out. WHLT started a news update segment at night several years later that lasted a few minutes. WJTV eventually starting simulcasting their 10:00 p.m. newscast on WHLT. After several more changes, WHLT now has a 10:00 p.m. newscast that is recorded by WJTV and aired with all local content. WHLT has reporters that contribute to the newscast.

Looks like WDAM is preparing to go to shelter. Their chief meteorologist advised all station staff to be prepared to go to their safe place momentarily. http://www.wdam.com/story/28002301/live-stream

"Better Late Than Never"

I think of the video footage from Hurricane Andrew where Brian Norcross and the studio crew went in to the small space to the side of the main set where they broadcasted for many hours during the storm and how they KNEW what was going to happen. Let's face it -- Florida has its share of tropical systems. Mississippi, unfortunately, has had its share of tropical systems, but nothing like Hurricane Katrina (often compared against Hurricane Camille). WLOX-TV remained in their studio until it was almost too late. When the station's microwave/Doppler radar tower fell was the deciding factor to "get the Hell out of dodge" and into a small corner in another part of the building where they had two chairs, a camera and a computer.

I'd actually like to see Raycom or Gray buy one of the stations in that group. At this point I think the main discussion should be the amount of money that would have to be spent to get any of those stations up to modern standards. One visit to their group website and it gives you instant heartburn more less watching a television news broadcast.

In regards to WABG, from looking online it appears they are buying the entire Commonwealth Broadcast Group -- WXVT will be owned by John Wagner and operated by Cala Broadcast Partners thereafter. WABG and WNBD's sale is pending solely to Cala Broadcast Partners. I predict the "same ole sh--" with WXVT/WABG/WNBD. Any bets?

The FB post has been deleted.

I'll make this the last Bert post. This was six years to the day:

Source: The Clarion-Ledger & Marshal Ramsey

Jackson, MS TV icon Bert Case, 76, passed away Thursday afternoon in a Jackson hospital. Bert recently celebrated 50 years in television broadcasting, most notably for his time at WLBT and most recently at WAPT up until his death. He was hospitalized on September 1, 2015 after a diagnosis of sepsis. Most people around the country know him for chasing off a pit bull in the streets of Jackson or for his investigative reporting into the cheating scandal of former Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice who had a choice of words for Bert in a confrontational interview at the late-Governor's mailbox in Madison County. WAPT reports that funeral arrangements are underway at this time. Please keep the family and the Jackson DMA in your thoughts and prayers. WAPT: http://www.wapt.com/news/central-mississippi/jackson/bert-case-legendary-reporter-passes-away-after-illness/37687820?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=16 WAPT News Jackson&Content Type=Story WLBT/WDBD: http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/31073456/legendary-reporter-bert-case-dies-after-extended-illness The Clarion-Ledger: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/01/28/longtime-tv-newsman-bert-case-dies/79474072/ WJTV: http://wjtv.com/2016/01/28/legendary-newsman-bert-case-passes-away/ FUNNY CLIPS:

Morris' WXXV is adding a Noon newscast on its NBC channel beginning Feb. 1, 2016. The station recently added a 6-7 a.m. newscast on the NBC channel and a 7-8 a.m. newscast on its FOX channel. PROMO:

If you stay in a hotel west of Interstate 110 on the Miss. Coast (western Harrison County, Hancock County and possibly Pearl River County), you are certain to have New Orleans stations on cable. Any to the east (western Harrison County, Jackson County and possibly George County) is probably Mobile/Pensacola. That is all in addition to the local stations. Stone County would only carry the local stations...maybe also Hattiesburg/Laurel stations.

I'd also say that Emmis Communications wasn't the best owner, but it was a start towards something better and they really stepped up after Hurricane Katrina when their entire building was flooded and had to be gutted, etc. Tom Benson stepped in with the financial support, but I'll never feel like Louisiana Media Company had the understanding of a true newsroom, which as we all know trickles down the line to what we see on television and our mobile devices. Many people don't like Raycom, but they stepped in at the right moment. That's what is lacking from WGNO -- leadership and commitment.