Technically A Director

When the generals in question are disgraced and pledge loyalty to Trump and not the people nor the constitution, they lost any right they had to be heard or respected. It's been proven time and time again that these claims are false and dangerous because their goal is to undermine democracy, not reinforce it. Hopefully time shows you just how clouded your vision has become. That's the last thing I'll say on that. Wish you nothing but the best after January 20.

This... I... maybe it's my exhaustion, but this post and that link are just bait, right? I mean, everything you just said and linked are... nevermind.

Man, where did this guy get this recording from? That Breaking News open definitely running at a crispy 60fps, and I love it. Is WKRN airing in 60fps? I'd assume they may be switching at 60 but transmitting at 29.97, unless I'm missing something? Either way, I think this package is an excellent fit. Also, mad props to the talent for just rolling with the punches off the top. I've seen an anchor or two absolutely crash and burn when stuff goes wrong, so good on them.

It looks like CBS is quickly rolling out their new look across their Network Promos, Show Promos, and Social Media. The core sports package package is unchanged, but I noticed that their fullscreen promos for upcoming games, tonight's shows, etc were the "new look." I also caught a liner in the second CBS game (I can't for the life of me remember which game we carried) that mentioned big changes coming in November, but I was only half listening so I'm not exactly sure of the full context. Perhaps an updated look for The Masters? I can't imagine they'd change their election night look this late in the game.

A bit vague, and I think any changes are a year or so down the line. But it's about time CBS overhauled their O&O look. Compared to their network counterparts, they are quite lackluster. Personally, I hope the CBS Sports package survives the updates. I enjoy it. Everything else? Let's give it a once (or twice) over.

I've never considered Gray to be especially heinous when taking over stations, so hopefully those who don't get re-hired get preference and assistance should they choose to go to other Gray properties. Either way, I hate it for their newsroom. They had such a solid operation, and it sucks to see it get picked apart like this.

I was pondering that very thing today. I haven't seen Norah on the evening news in over a week, and she's nowhere to be found on the social media side. An interesting twist, but I can't imagine they're going to make wholesale changes again...

Glor getting shoved out will always leave a bad taste in my mouth. No Anchor is going to have immediate clout, and I felt like Glor and the show were finally in a good rhythm when they pulled the plug. The rapid fire switch from Glor to O'Donnell seemed rushed and ill informed. The move to DC, while it had good intentions, was a waste of money IMO. I like O'Donnell, and always enjoyed her on CBS This Morning, but her reads on the Evening News always feel forced and not genuine. And for GODS SAKE, every newscast does not need to start with "Breaking News." The industry needs to have a serious discussion about that crap, because something that happened 14 hours ago, or has been happening since march, is not "Breaking."

I'm actually nauseous. I've heard the anecdotes, but to see it put on paper like this is... unholy.

So... they sold their CBS affiliation to Gray, but nothing else? How does that work? And, is the affiliate swap already complete with no advance warning? That seems like a small brain move at best. I've had a soft spot for KTVA since the earthquake a few years ago. I haven't checked up on them since, but I recall them having a rather destroyed newsroom and still produced what I thought was award winning coverage.

WTHR will carry the Indianapolis 500 LIVE in the Indianapolis DMA for only the 4th time in the history of the race. https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/indianapolis-500-to-air-live-indy-wthr-channel-13-2020/531-1a6779cb-1ce3-478a-b942-743434c2d1ae The race is usually blacked out in Indianapolis to ensure fan presence, only airing live if the race is sold out, but with the event capped at roughly 25% capacity, this seems like a no-brainer for IndyCar, and may end up being a boon for WTHR.

I've always assumed networks have a certain threshold for special coverage depending on the situation, and time of day. I distinctly remember the news of John McCain's death coming down during a Saturday College Football game. I'm unsure about other networks, but CBS ran what might have been a pre-taped Special Report during a 1st half commercial to announce his death, and then a long-form Special Report during halftime where they went into his life, legacy, etc. Otherwise, I think networks do everything they can to avoid blowing out any portion of Primetime programming. During Trump's Impeachment Trial, CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox all aired short and sweet wrap-up Special Reports at the very bottom of the hour before local programming on the East Coast. The only time I recall primetime programming getting trampled on is when Obama made his late evening announcement on the death of Bin-Laden, and the debacle that was network coverage after the Boston Marathon Bombings. I'll never forget every major network taking air to announce arrests had been made, only to find out minutes later that the rumor was untrue. ------ Also, a small bit of history: I'm a huge NASCAR fan, and one of my first racing memories is a post-9/11 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR was minutes away from starting a race when Operation Enduring Freedom started/was announced. In the immediate chaos, the race was put in a hold, NBC's track team tossed to the network, and it took about 30 minutes for the race to get back on air on TNT and pre-race ceremonies to begin. NBC came back to the race with about 20 laps to go, marking the first (and only time that I know of) a race had been simulcast on two separate networks at the same time. I'd be curious to know if any other sports had the same issue. I assume NFL Sunday's was as big in 2001 as it is now, so how did CBS, FOX, etc handle it all?

I assume Nexstar is slowly and methodically sparing no expense at WGN. They use Ross wherever possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was a CG system switch for now, possibly a full swap to Ross Xpression/Tessera and OverDrive? Related slightly, they have an opening for a Tessera operator, but it doesn't specify if it's for WGN or News Nation. EDIT: "We are currently searching for a Ross XPression Tessera Operator for live nightly national newscasts." - So it is for News Nation.

I felt physical pain looking at these sites. Wowza. I'm not familiar with anything in the realm of Alaska TV. Does the Juneau market even bother with local newscasts, or is it just simulcasts of Anchorage/Fairbanks newscasts with local news sprinkled in as necessary? I can't imagine trying to build out what amounts to a new operation in the current climate, unless it's something that the locals would 100% buy into. Buy now, build later?

I thought the same thing. Honest to god, I'd love to see some ice cream consumption data for this DMA in two or three years. Might be a bit of a rush on Mint because, ya'know, subliminal messaging.

I know the world has been flipped on it's head, but I'm surprised WTHR & WBNS still haven't been pushed to the TEGNA web layout. I wonder if they're running into logistics issues getting the sites & content transferred?

It wasn't funny when it was a fake on YouTube, and it's not funny now. Reporters are trying to do their jobs, and creeps like this make it that much harder for them. Hopefully he's found and charged seven different ways to Sunday. Do these people not realize they're on tape?!

It seemed, from our control room, to happen pretty quick. I always watch for the countdown on CBS Net as we roll copyright, but they were still in black. About 5 seconds to network, they started the promo loop. We received the "technical difficulties" wire from CBS around 5:32 central time, so I'm assuming they were caught off guard by the situation. In their defense, you can have 100 backup plans, but if you don't have the time to institute them, then you (and your entire network) are SOL. The only saving grace was CBSN, but the fact that it wasn't live becomes a separate issue.

Rumor is there will be a west coast feed. I wonder if D.C. is back up or someone else is going to front it? At any rate, that's the entire East Coast feed blown out.

CBSN didn't appear to be live. It seemed more like they were piecing together already aired pieces to fill time. One interview even restarted briefly at one point before it cut to a bump and promo reel.

Someone remind me, has an issue quite this catastrophic hit a network before? I can't think of anything in the 2000s that has knocked a national nightly news off-air. edit: A quick google, and it looks like there's some power outages in and around Washington D.C.

Can confirm, CBS is having major issues. We joined at the normal time and they were in a crash loop of promos. They cut to CBSN after about 5 minutes and are in a CBSN commercial now. Update: CBS Newspath reports the Washington control room is experiencing technical difficulties. Yowza.

Who got a raise? I sure didn't.

I have to say, I was surprised to see WTTV hosting today. Indianapolis never struck me as a station that CBS would want (or was capable) of hosting. Good on them!

Bravo, I say. Anyone who puts the public interest ahead of personal or corporate gain gets an A+ in my book. Also, like the article says, I'd be interested to know how TEGNA characterizes this "breach" of furlough, since he was acting as an independent meteorologist. Just scrubbing through the stream, he doesn't appear to use any TEGNA graphics, but I'm not going to sit and watch all 2 1/2 hours just to see how diligent he is to not mention WCNC. At any rate, I think we can all agree that when multiple tornado warnings are happening in and around the main city in your market, you have to pull out all the stops. I'm sure the other meteorologists did a fantastic job, but you need your Chief in an outbreak, big or small, to really drive the coverage.