froyo49

I saw a video on YouTube from JCD Creative showing a vastly improved and well produced graphics package. I don’t know if or when it’ll be implemented, but I really hope they do so soon. 

I commend them for trying to expand into the streaming world, but trying to charge people for what are essentially video podcasts was the wrong approach. They should've made the shows free with ads and maybe a paid ad-free option. Cord-cutters don't like extra paid subscriptions, so you have to meet them where they're at. For example, for people who like in-depth interviews, there are many podcasters and YouTubers who are good at them, and many of them are free to watch. Or for those who just want a fast-paced headlines show, CNN already produces five episodes a day of their "5 things" audio podcast for free, so why would someone pay for a video version? By putting everything behind a paywall, they hampered their own chances at success. Or, they just could've emulated the successful streaming news channels that CBS, ABC, and NBC have (which are all essentially based on CNN2/HLN's original format).

I think it's very embarrassing that after spending hundreds of millions and framing it as an integral part of CNN's future, it only lasted a month. However, I also feel bad for the employees who worked hard to launch it. To cut their losses, I hope a number of the shows will move to the cable channel or HBO Max/Discovery+. I doubt they'll show up on HLN though. I think they would rather rename it "Investigation Discovery 2" before trying to build out their news offerings again. 

From Brian Stelter's Reliable Sources newsletter: Norah O'Donnell renews with CBS News

Quote

"CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell has renewed with the network through the 2024 election and beyond, Puck's Dylan Byers reported Friday night. He pointed out that O'Donnell, whose deal was coming due, has been subjected to "endless industry gossip." This news should put it to rest for a while, at least. A person with knowledge of the matter confirmed the deal. A network rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This news comes on the heels of Gayle Kingrenewing at "CBS Mornings" and Robert Costa joining the network...

The link to the story referenced in the newsletter: https://puck.news/norah-odonnell-makes-her-next-career-move/ 

On 3/14/2022 at 2:28 PM, froyo49 said:

WSAV is apparently starting a 4PM newscast on April 4 (or 4/4 @ 4 as the creative department wants to call it).

According to Nexstar's very own Zap2it, WSAV is in fact adding a newscast, called First News at 4 (not to be confused with the current First News at 5, which I assume they'll rename). It appears Maury is coming off the schedule, with The Good Dish keeping its place at 2 (for now), and Judge Judy moving to Maury's old spot at 3. 

CNN+ has announced their schedule.

https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2022/03/24/cnn-plus-daily-weekly-schedule/

Their weekday lineup (eastern time):

7AM: 5 Things w/ Kate Bolduan

8AM: Go There

9AM: Big Picture w/ Sara Sidner

11AM: Reliable Sources Daily

4PM: The Source w/ Kasie Hunt

5PM: The Global Brief w/ Bianca Nobilo

6PM: Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?

7:30PM: The Newscast w/ Wolf Blitzer

TVNewser says "During the times in between the programs (and the programs are not full hours), the CNN+ home page and main screen will offer shows that have already aired and are available on demand."

Honestly, I don't see anything that catches my eye and worth me paying a monthly fee, especially since the other news organizations have free streams. I'm also disappointed they didn't add Morning Express. I currently watch NBC's "Morning News Now" which essentially has the same format, but not quite the chemistry that Robin Meade and her team have. Maybe if they moved it over I would consider subscribing. It's not exactly doing wonders on HLN anyway.

I saw this while driving by an electronic billboard, but I can’t find any info online. But anyway, WSAV is apparently starting a 4PM newscast on April 4 (or 4/4 @ 4 as the creative department wants to call it). I assume it’s to compensate for their abysmal afternoon syndicated lineup (Dr. Oz/Good Dish at 2, Maury at 3, and Judge Judy at 4). Considering all of those shows are out of production and about to end, they decided to stretch their news team even thinner instead of paying for another show. At least it gives WTOC a bit of competition as they’ve been solo at that time for years. 
 

Found it. I’m not sure why they decided to pay loads of money to get a billboard but not put it on their website or socials for free. But I guess that’s Nexstar. 

4 hours ago, mrschimpf said:

Why do they need to launch a streaming channel when they have plenty of surplus time on the main network and HLN?!

Because an increasing number of people, including myself, don't want to spend upwards of $60 a month on a bundle of channels. It's the same reason I prefer watching NBC News Now free on YouTube than MSNBC on expensive cable television. 

It’s actually CBS Local from Stephen Arnold Music. I remember someone on this thread noticed that they were using the CBS Local election theme during their automated election results video stream last year. 
I recorded a brief clip from CBSN Bay Area:

From the New York Times (paywall):

Quote

Mr. Williams, who joined NBC News in 1993, has not expressed much interest in returning to a traditional nightly evening newscast, according to the person familiar with his thinking. That would seem to rule out a gig like anchoring the “CBS Evening News,” whose anchor, Norah O’Donnell, is on a contract that expires next year.

But hey, I know it's fun to dream.

The labels on some of the maps need to stand out more. The snow cover map spans multiple states, but I can’t tell what they are. And the labels on the satellite map are mostly covered by the clouds. Also I’m not sure why there’s a live bug when it’s all automated. 

10 minutes ago, PhillyWatch said:

I wonder if a rebranded version of this will be used to fill weekend hours. 

I was thinking the same thing. They’ll probably call it “America’s Weekend Weather” or something, hopefully with some frequent live updates. 

Keep in mind that the New York Post is a tabloid, and the whole story is based on anonymous sources. Try not to get ahead of yourselves. Also, even if she does end up leaving, her contract is up in the spring, so it'll be a while before anything happens.

I don’t want NewsNation to fail either. In fact, a year ago I pointed out that people were calling for NN to shut down, but nobody was calling for Newsy to shudder even though their cable numbers were lower. Just because I make a joke about their crummy set doesn’t mean I’m bashing them. I actually think the idea behind Abrams’ show is great: a host that respects people with other opinions, instead of calling them stupid.

The problem is that isn’t NewsNation’s original mission: to bring a straight news program on cable. Instead it’s now the same type of content people already get elsewhere, just less rabid. 

Another problem is that their primary medium is cable TV. My parents cancelled their cable, and I'm not paying $60/month for Youtube TV or Hulu Live, just for the channel to get pulled during an inevitable Nexstar retrans fight. Cable TV is a declining business. Why do you think Newsy is prioritizing streaming and over-the-air? It's good they post a bunch of their stuff on Youtube to make it more accessible, but unfortunately their cable channel is coming first, which isn't great for growth.

As for their website, SimilarWeb, a website analytics company, says NewsNation's site gets over 1 million total visits a month. Some of Nexstar's stronger stations, like KHON, WHNT, and WREG, get around 2 million. However, those stations have been around for decades, and NN is only one year old, so that million is nothing to scoff at. 

53 minutes ago, jase said:

Abrams show is filmed in the same building (Daily News Building) as WPIX. Where exactly is unclear.

As I said above, my guess is their broom closet. However, NewscastStudio says the final setup is still to come. Hopefully they can add more brightness or texture to the dark areas so it can look less desolate. 
 

Also, Dan Abrams’ own website Mediaite has posted yesterday’s ratings. Morning in America averaged 12k viewers and Dan Abrams Live got 43k viewers. 

Looks like they’re taping the show in WPIX’s broom closet 

1 hour ago, GodfreyGR said:

Anyone have access to Ratings for the last couple weeks? NBC v. CBS v. ABC?

Here’s the averages from last week, which was the first week of the relaunch. Down 9% from the week before, and down 8% from last year. 
 

https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/week-of-sept-6-morning-show-ratings-today-repeats-as-most-watched-morning-show-a-rare-feat-outside-of-olympics-weeks/488690/

Yeah, it’s just the ticker. The over sensational graphics are still in place. Then again, Gray stations that get a new graphics package get the ticker first so

I wonder if they'll move or at least simulcast Morning Express w/ Robin Meade on it. I don't know why it's still on what is now a true crime channel. If they move it to CNN+, it'll fill a few of the 8-12 hours of live programming they promise, and HLN can finally become the full-time murder porn channel they desperately want to be. 

For some reason, I'm getting low-rent WSVN vibes. The overly edited headline tease, the gaudy 3D animations, the presenters introducing themselves before the main title sequence, the guy pointing at the camera (that's how you know he's serious), and even the "news station" branding and circle logo. I may just be overthinking it though.

From the Daily Beast:

Quote

In an interview with The Daily Beast on Tuesday afternoon, the 32-year-old reporter claimed she’d been terminated via text message and declared that she would never work in corporate media again—not even for Fox News, where she claimed “they wanted to bring me up.”

 

“I have been longing to part ways with this strange, slightly unhinged corporation since last August when I realized what they were,” Hecker said. “The piece with Project Veritas doesn’t touch what they did. Fox 26 knows I’m fearless.” she added: “I have zero interest in working for another corporation. They all toe the same line.”

So yeah, she know exactly what she was doing. I guess she wanted a head start on her Newsmax/OAN audition, unless she considers them to be corporate media.

9 hours ago, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

Scripps is launching a statewide news network using the resources of all of its Florida stations.

Someone posted the open for FL24 this weekend. I had no idea what it was but it appears to be their answer to CBSN local but statewide. Graphics are standard Scripps apart from the open, and it sounds like they got Stephen to make a custom theme.  

I liked the current logo, it’s a shame they’re getting rid of it. The gradients flowed nicely and it wasn’t irritatingly flashy. The smaller letters in the new one make it look cramped and uninviting. If they wanted to make it plain for digital, I would have preferred the original 1962 one. 

2 hours ago, iron_lion said:

What is up with this flat trend?? It's like news graphic design is getting cheaper and unimaginative as time goes on. Sports networks like ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and FS1 are really exceeding news outlets at set and graphical design

The reason why flat design is everywhere is because young people, like myself, prefer it. Since companies are desperate to appeal to us, they feel the need to make their branding and graphics as flat as possible. 
 

I never understood the need for news to rely on gaudy 3D effects and lens flares. The story should be front and center, the graphics should only supplement it. When I watch or read the news, I want to be informed, not distracted by unnecessary clutter.
 

Sports are for entertainment, so they make the graphics entertaining to watch. News is meant to inform about serious topics, so I prefer flatter and subdued graphics. I’m not saying it’s bad for news graphics to be creative, but it shouldn’t take away from the main subject. 

This what you're talking about?

Other Scripps stations use that open for their 4pm shows. Here's WFTS from late 2019:

Many of the stations that use this open, like WFTS, use production music. Appears WTMJ stuck with the standard music. 

22 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

I honestly had no idea he was viral but his dancing seems pretty legit (much better than the average TikToker). Seems like he was ousted unexpectedly, so this is sad. FOX 46 needs to get over its growing pains soon, because there's been too much switcharoo recently.

As someone who uses TikTok on a regular basis, I can confirm he was very viral. Recently he was doing a series that got millions of views and likes where he would sneak in modern slang into his weather reports, like bussin, sheeeesh, and "that's kinda sus." I hardly know what those words mean and I'm in that generation, but the videos were quite entertaining nevertheless. I checked this morning and he deleted all of them. Not sure if that had anything to do with his departure, but such is life.

41 minutes ago, CircleSeven said:

Ain't nothing custom about it. They're using Guardian.

Humph, I feel cheated. I guess they wanted to feel special by calling it custom. Oh well. 
 

As for the new graphics, it’s Gray’s least ugly package IMO. Hope they pass it along to other stations soon enough. 

Something I noticed at the end of the WTVY article:

Quote

The new custom soundtrack was composed by Stephen Arnold Music.

Interesting that a station in market 172 commissioned a custom soundtrack, unless they're talking about a few updates to an existing package. I guess we'll see Thursday.