MediaZone4K

As we ponder what happens with the anchor musical chairs, Disney just posted a WABC anchor reporter opening on LinkedIn. I know some jobs technically have to post an open position --- even if they're hiring internally. It could also mean they're hiring from the outside, most likely for the weekend morning slot.

Makes sense, I thought he wasn't doing it to focus on his evening news duties. Wishing him a speedy recovery, this could not have come at a worse time as he just got that big promotion. Hopefully all will be well.

@TVNewsLoverI get your point about inconsistency but...To piggyback off of @Breaking News, it wouldn't make sense for the network to pay someone that much to anchor on a lower rated slot.

I agree. One of the biggest hallmarks of daytime television and news is the predictability of seeing your favorite personality. This matters more so for anchors than weather casters, but WCBS's lineup is still very confusing. The decisions from CBS 2 regarding John Elliott are so puzzling. He clearly has the the lively eccentric weatherman personality that morning shows go for. Why was he removed from weekday mornings, and why do they seem to be so hesitant to give him a regular weekday slot? He's arguably one of the strongest personalities on a very stiff and straight news station. Not specific to CBS News NY, but these days anchor lineups are getting a lot more unpredictable. I'm tempted to say the average viewer doesn't care, but I think the regular news viewer does. Wouldn't it just be simpler to have: John Weekday Mornings & Noon Lonnie Weekdays 5pm Tony Weekdays 6-11pm newscasts Vanessa: weekend mornings Whoever: weekend evenings

while their L3s sucked at this time, I much prefer this talent open over the solid white opening that followed. I love that WABC still uses beauty shots and talent opens and not just bumper talent montages. I wish more stations still did.

WABC posted this clip from 1999 on their YouTube today in light of Bill Ritter's transition off of Eyewitness News at 11

"New" set looks good. I miss the video wall columns from the old set though. It gave the side angle some depth.

Looks good. Is 2020 still being broadcast from the old building? The lighting on David and Deborah last night looked awful. The YouTube channel screenshot makes it worse but it was bad when I saw it on TV.

Variety confirms. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/ktla-sam-rubin-melvin-robert-morning-news-job-extra-1236328285/

He's leaving to fill big shoes! https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/ktla-sam-rubin-melvin-robert-morning-news-job-extra-1236328285/

End of an era. Grew up with Bill and Liz at 6 & 11 with Diana and Sade on After GH & Oprah. It's amazing just how long these anchors last and the rapport they build with the community. I too am surprised Mike is only doing the 11. Bill will be going out very prominently: anchoring at 5 and 6 as opposed to just 6 which is what a-lot of almost retired senior anchors do.

Don't forget to call it a "DANGEROUS rainstorm".

There are good but underutilized elements of the current set. For a change, It would be nice to see Muir stand next to this giant monitor BBC style going forward.

IMO, 40 isn't that young and I don't think it should be a problem if networks are always seeking younger demos. I disagree with the anchor bench, CBS has the weakest. They haven't really groomed anyone that stands out for larger roles, with Nate Burleson and Gayle King being their most prominent personalities. In comparison, NBC has Guthrie, Jackson, Peter Alexander, Tom Llamas, Kate Snow, Kristin Welker, Jose Diaz-Balart, and Lara Jarett etc... I agree however with the poster who said Savannah lacks that evening news quality. Is 12 years on the national level that short of a time? In this day and age, people are advancing much quicker as the industry changes and turnover gets higher (at least at the local level).

Tom is good. He checks off all the boxes: He can do breaking news, he can be out in the field, and he can handle the lighter stuff. As for who his regular fill-in would be, I see Hallie Jackson filling that role.

The audible hustling in the newsroom makes the footage even more compelling

Indeed! CBS News Early Mornings would have been a more distinctive title, and eliminate CBS Morning News.

Per Derick Waller's LinkedIn He will be working part of the week on CBS News mornings

I'm in the minority but I like the current WNT studio. I think its lighting could be improved but I like the dark aesthetic. IMO it looks better than studio 1A on NNN. My main issue is the graphics and lower thirds could use updating. I agree, it would be great to see David move around the set instead of staying static and being on one shot for the whole broadcast. When I realized this this look has been in place for a decade, I was thinking the exact same thing. They must think nothing major needs tweaking if they've been on top for so long.

Probably mentioned already but it looks like CBSEN has implemented it. A singular cover story tease is a nice touch, such as the Zelenzky Trump cold open.

It appeared before a while back. Not sure if it has permanent use on any platform. Wish they'd keep it as it's NYC flag /sports teams colors.

I thought the same about the optics. Bezos is a controversial figure, now King appears embedded with him. Secondly, Gayle is brave. My childhood dreams of seeing space as a civilian ended after learning about the Challenger Disaster... let alone all the plane mishaps in the news. As for copying, The Morning Show did the morning news anchor in space via a tech Billionaire's rocket already with Reese Witherspoon

The rendering for the bottom set looks significantly better than the actual thing did. If only it were actually lit that way. That zoomed out view in the rendering would make for a great opening broadcast shot.

Fair. I like WABC, they are probably the best in market right now, followed by WNBC then WCBS. But among the O&O group, WPVI seems to be the strongest that I've watched.

Yes I do. My apologies, I pasted wrong clip. Here is the correct clip, Also editing my earlier post to include the correct clip. Ritter's funny shocked fire remark is at 0:13.