WCBS - CBS2 News

[HanSolo 209]

We’re number one!*
 

 

 

 

 

*….in the left-handed lumberjacks demo

[Nynewsguy7 15]

On 3/27/2025 at 10:33 PM, MediaZone4K said:

The last time I recall that happening was 2011 under Maurice and Kristine. Can't speak to today. I would love to see the latest NYC numbers.

 

Stations and talent often claim to be number one all the time, but it could just mean in a specific demographic, time period or slot. Prime example, I've heard people at WSB calling it the "number one station in the country", but last time I checked that was WABC.

More than likely it was a specific Saturday or Sunday night at 11pm when WABC was late because of sports. It’s a very “creative” way to be number 1, when the competition doesn’t exist. 
 

as for WSB in Atlanta. Their claim actually isn’t wrong. By percentage, they do have more watchers. It’s again, a technicality.  obviously the NY DMA is larger and therefore WABC has more total viewers, but in Atlanta DMA, the percentage of total available viewers is higher for WSB. 

[Geoffrey 877]

Deborah Norville announced today that she's leaving Inside Edition after 30 years when this season ends: https://www.tvinsider.com/1184654/deborah-norville-leaving-inside-edition-final-episode-date/

 

Mary Calvi anchors the weekend edition and fills in for Norville during the week. I wonder if she's in line to take over, and if that would affect her duties anchoring the morning news.

[TheNewsTV 277]

Another "problem" for WCBS management to solve. The rotation of meteorologists at night, Maurice's replacement at 5pm and a possible departure of Mary Calvi from the morning shift.

 

Although, I think Cindy Hsu will likely take over the morning news.

[Geoffrey 877]

Now that it's mid-April and winter weather seems to be in our rear view mirror, CBS 2 CBS News New York has rebranded the Mobile Weather Lab, which launched in March 2012 (I took some of these photos) and was redone in August 2016, as the First Alert Weather Tracker. John Elliott says it has "so many cameras," including a "slush cam" down below, though they only showed a roof camera today.

 

Interestingly, the CBS 2 logo square appears on its own, instead of next to the "CBS News New York" portion of the logo. The truck also uses the "CBS New York" (not "News") version of the logo.

 

 

[Geoffrey 877]

Lonnie Quinn returned to WCBS and CBS this evening. He announced March 14th that he was taking several weeks off to recover from a concussion that was later determined to be a traumatic brain injury.

 

He returned to the newsroom to applause, hugs, balloons and cake today:

 

 

[MorningNews 1545]

Geez Lonnie has been there for 18 years? Time has flown. Very glad to see him back and healthy!

[TheRolyPoly 2670]

Jeez... 18 years?! I remember when he was my morning man at TVJ! Ironically, it was his last spot before landing at WCBS.

[NY_Viewer 6]

There was a piece of me who really appreciates seeing Craig Allen on CBS 2, and I was surprisingly getting used to Rob Marciano.

[NYNewsCoverage 310]

As of this week, Lonnie is back for the 5pm and Evening news, but it seems Vanessa is covering the 6pm/11pm. It could be to ease back into work, and we'll see if Lonnie returns to the 11pm at any point, but I could see this change being permanent. Craig Allen it seems will fill in Vanessa's weekend slots (also glad he has a somewhat regular television gig now!)

 

[Georgie56 3351]

Former KTVT chief meteorologist Scott Padgett is joining WCBS.

[NYAZSporty 150]

2 hours ago, Georgie56 said:

Former KTVT chief meteorologist Scott Padgett is joining WCBS.

Wouldn't surprise me if Scott becomes the chief at CBS New York & let Lonnie focus on CBS Evening News. 

[NYNewsCoverage 310]

On 5/6/2025 at 11:29 PM, NYNewsCoverage said:

As of this week, Lonnie is back for the 5pm and Evening news, but it seems Vanessa is covering the 6pm/11pm. It could be to ease back into work, and we'll see if Lonnie returns to the 11pm at any point, but I could see this change being permanent. Craig Allen it seems will fill in Vanessa's weekend slots (also glad he has a somewhat regular television gig now!)

 

I wanted to update this, as Kristine welcomed Lonnie back to the 11pm this week, so it appears the change was only to ease him back into work (and I think Vanessa was still doing the 6pm/8pm). So now with Scott added, they have Lonnie, John, Vanessa, Tony, and Scott. And not to mention Craig Allen and Rob Marciano.

 

[Jase 1095]

51 minutes ago, NYAZSporty said:

Wouldn't surprise me if Scott becomes the chief at CBS New York & let Lonnie focus on CBS Evening News. 

With the leadership being in flux at CBS News, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lonnie’s role is greatly diminished (or eliminated) somewhere down the line. Plus, I don’t get the impression he wants to solely focus on CBS Evening News.

[NY_Viewer 6]

Lonnie's absence from the  CBS 2 11:00 PM newscast,  as well as the national news is starting to feel a tiny bit suspicious.  He came back like two weeks ago, then came back again this week.

 

It will also be interesting to see Craig Allen on the CBS national news this weekend.

[RealNews18 228]

Will they ever announce a replacement for Maurice? Schedule since he moved to network seems to be Jessica Monday thru Wednesday and then Allan/Dick/Alice on Thursday and Friday. I would hope something more permanent would go into place? 

[Geoffrey 877]

Definitely weird for them not to have picked a replacement as it's been about five months. Such a long gap makes it seem like they're hiring from outside, otherwise it should be easy to promote someone from within.

 

I wonder if all the uncertainty around CBS/Paramount and the new CBS Evening News has them keeping a seat warm for Maurice just in case. 

[bc485 92]

32 minutes ago, Geoffrey said:

Definitely weird for them not to have picked a replacement as it's been about five months. Such a long gap makes it seem like they're hiring from outside, otherwise it should be easy to promote someone from within.

 

I wonder if all the uncertainty around CBS/Paramount and the new CBS Evening News has them keeping a seat warm for Maurice just in case. 

Agreed, and it was announced in August 2024 that Maurice was moving to the Evening News. Meaning they’ve had 10 months or more to make a decision. Very odd. 

[NYNewsCoverage 310]

I definitely think if the intention was to promote someone to the 5pm permanently, it would have been done already, as mentioned, there's no point in delaying that. I think with Paramount trying to cut costs, keeping only 1 permanent anchor on the shows (Kristine) might be a way to save money (?), at the expense of viewers having to see a different anchor next to her at 5pm depending on the day. Kristine seems to be permanent at 6pm/11pm, and it was mentioned they are moving towards solo anchors. Originally she used to, but I don't think Kristine does the 8pm anymore (it seems to be Allen Devlin or Dick Brennan most nights).

I think the theory of keeping the seat open for Maurice is interesting and I could see a situation where the Evening News removes 1 of its co-anchors, also to cut costs.

 

On the weather front, Lonnie has now re-added the 6pm to his schedule, so he seems to do everything again weekdays, except for the 8pm; which has been Vanessa or Craig Allen. I do wonder how they will add Scott Padget into the mix.

[NY_Viewer 6]

8 hours ago, Geoffrey said:

wonder if all the uncertainty around CBS/Paramount and the new CBS Evening News has them keeping a seat warm for Maurice just in case. 

That is what it feels like to me, they are keeping the seat warm for now just in case CBS decides the current Evening News format isn't working. Shall we start a betting pool for when Maurice will be back at CBS 2?

[NYNewsCoverage 310]

Scott Padget debuted today at 5pm. Probably reading too much into it, but when I saw at 5:45 they did not say he was "in for Lonnie". Should be interesting to see if/how this shifts their weather lineup

[KShow2 5]

52 minutes ago, NYNewsCoverage said:

Scott Padget debuted today at 5pm. Probably reading too much into it, but when I saw at 5:45 they did not say he was "in for Lonnie". Should be interesting to see if/how this shifts their weather lineup

 

Neither Dick nor Jessica mentioned they were filling in for Kristine. 

[NYNewsCoverage 310]

23 hours ago, NYNewsCoverage said:

Scott Padget debuted today at 5pm. Probably reading too much into it, but when I saw at 5:45 they did not say he was "in for Lonnie". Should be interesting to see if/how this shifts their weather lineup

Today he is "in for Lonnie". Also strange, but Jessica and Dick once again made no mention of being in for Kristine. I also noticed Mary joined Cindy on the noon today, but breaking news can't be the excuse there...

[Jase 1095]

38 minutes ago, NYNewsCoverage said:

I also noticed Mary joined Cindy on the noon today, but breaking news can't be the excuse there...

 

Are you talking about Mary Calvi? If so, according to her bio, co-anchoring at Noon is part of her responsibilities.

[MediaZone4K 2323]

On 6/9/2025 at 5:57 PM, Geoffrey said:

Definitely weird for them not to have picked a replacement as it's been about five months. Such a long gap makes it seem like they're hiring from outside, otherwise it should be easy to promote someone from within.

 

I wonder if all the uncertainty around CBS/Paramount and the new CBS Evening News has them keeping a seat warm for Maurice just in case. 

 

On 6/10/2025 at 2:23 AM, NY_Viewer said:

That is what it feels like to me, they are keeping the seat warm for now just in case CBS decides the current Evening News format isn't working. Shall we start a betting pool for when Maurice will be back at CBS 2?

As I said months ago....it's very iffy for Maurice to relinquish his WCBS seat for the unstable CBS Evening News.

 

We initially thought Maurice would stay on at 11 PM, but when they changed him not on CBS 2 at all it was understandable based on the assumption he'd be busy with national duties.

 

But John Dickerson anchors Evening News +, most special coverage, and is typically to one of the pair to anchor special reports. All Maurice really does is the 30 minute evening news and I'm not sure if he takes an editorial role in the broadcast.

 

Maurice & CBS probably have their reasons but perhaps he could have maintained his dual national and local roles.

8 minutes ago, Jase said:

 

Are you talking about Mary Calvi? If so, according to her bio, co-anchoring at Noon is part of her responsibilities.

I'm guessing her bio isn't updated because as I recall Cindy Hsu took over 12pm after her 9am newscast was cancelled.