obxwatcher

Seems like whoever takes the CBS Evening News anchor spot is on a losing mission from day one. How many people had the chair since Katie Couric? Tony takes the anchor spot and then two year later, he’s working the 4am anchor spot on CNN. Just be happy where you are and know it’s as good as it gets. Tony comes across a good morning person who can mix hard news and fun segments.

Annie McCormick is leaving Channel 6. I thought she was a solid reporter there. This station hasn’t been the same since Jim retired in 2022.

If I recall, MS NOW said the new location was a “summer camp” until they found a permanent space. Stupid idea: Why doesn’t Versant think of moving in ABC’s old place in Times Square. I have to think Disney left all the electronics in there. Then again, the odds probably favor the World’s largest Shake Shack coming into that spot.

I never understood local news slogans. Years ago, I believe the Orlando CBS affiliate was “Where the news comes first”. Why wouldn’t it? The only one that ever made sense was “Give us 22 minutes, we’ll give you the world”. KYW 1060

I have noticed Joe and Mika have been doing MJ from NYC a lot this year (even though they use a DC illustration backdrop); probably the most since the pandemic. I wonder if Versant told them the Florida remote shows had to decrease after the ratings drop when they met Trump. Then again, the show is nowhere near as good like it was in the beginning. I’m sure they will still get the FL tax break like Hannity does and I am sure Brett Baier pretty soon.

25 Years After The Switch This was from five years ago. WCAU was happy because they were going from a third place network to instant number one.

When Sam left for TWC, it was professional and very respectful. Josh called Disney’s bluff and got the Bankers Box to NBC. Funny how Comcast bought them only to keep them on ice for a few years. I’m sure that was the plan. Sam’s place is perfect where he is and should just get GMA3 full-time. That 2012-4 GMA team was their best lineup. I feel bad for Josh since he seemed to have a good thing at CBSN only for office politics to screw him. He looked very humbled when he came back to GMA for that 40th reunion.

It looks like Fox Weather stopped the Chill stream a few days ago. It was kind of fun to watch again for a few minutes with the whole relaxing vibe but I imagine with the graphics and data it’s probably a ton of work to keep it updated. Nice try again though Fox Weather.

Kind of has that 1990s Today Show wooden vibe before they moved to 1A. Hopefully this gets the competition going with some refreshes. I imagine Today show won’t do anything significant until the 2026 Olympics to 1A. Someone mentioned with MSNBC soon leaving there will be a giant studio vacancy at 30 Rock. I wonder if Today is considering leaving 1A for bigger room if the ”window to world” concept has run its course.

I think this will be the fad for the next decade. At least big desktop screens never caught on like the Fox News Deck.

What is Disney planning on doing with Times Square? Was it a lease or do they own the building? Watching the flashback video on GMA this morning was interesting, the place was such a unique design and fun layout but it looks like they just gave up after the pandemic. The set is so dark and depressing. Hoping for a bright refresh next week.

With (Not) Live with Kelly and Mark taping several episodes a day now so there are extended weeks off, why is ABC still compelled to make 9am a priority? I am assuming this summer being a refresh for GMA leaving Times Square and some anchor changes, ABC should start pushing GMA3 to be 9am. I think Kelly wouldn't throw a temper tantrum this time. However, this probably would not happen until September 2026 at the earliest with syndie contracts.

It must be a Comcast thing. Look at WNBC, KNBC and WMAQ. All their sets are giant screens with little personality and nothing unique. You can even say that for the Today Show. A view of 30 Rock plaza on one side of the studio and the other is one large curved screen. I'll give them credit for not fully blocking out the street windows yet like GMA, CBS Mornings and FNC did.

What confuses me in the last few years is more ABC affiliates (especially the O&Os) dropping World News Now in favor of daytime reruns. There is an alternative to ABC News Live but at some point is it just better financially to rerun WNT and local news 11pm re-broadcast or does WNN still get good numbers streaming? They have solid likable anchors right now but some years WNN has anchors who have no chemistry and just do it for the network experience.

Is there a reason why Good Day does not use the street side studio anymore? It looks like the background is just a video monitor.