Random WMAQ Thread

[NBC 5 Chicago 215]

Now this is total speculation however Evrod Cassimy posted this on his facebook. Obviously we know they're moving their newsroom and getting a new studio. By this post though it seems like they're saying goodbye today so I'm wondering if today at either 11am or 4pm will be the launch with the morning team being in the new studio tomorrow. The newsroom looks like it has already moved upstairs. Regardless the debut is imminent. 

 

 

[Jase 1164]

On 1/15/2026 at 9:46 AM, NBC 5 Chicago said:

Now this is total speculation however Evrod Cassimy posted this on his facebook. Obviously we know they're moving their newsroom and getting a new studio. By this post though it seems like they're saying goodbye today so I'm wondering if today at either 11am or 4pm will be the launch with the morning team being in the new studio tomorrow. The newsroom looks like it has already moved upstairs. Regardless the debut is imminent. 

 

 

 

I figured they would have moved out by now given the 1st fl. space was originally listed being 'available for lease' on 1/1.  Nevertheless, a Sunday reveal is possible given they will have the Bears game as a lead-in. It would be too good of an opportunity to pass up.

[24994J 5888]

11 minutes ago, Jase said:

I figured they would have moved out by now given the 1st fl. space was originally listed being 'available for lease' on 1/1.  Nevertheless, a Sunday reveal is possible given they will have the Bears game as a lead-in. It would be too good of an opportunity to pass up.

 

Marion Brooks posted that it'll debut on Saturday with a soft launch.

[LinCruzChicagoNYLA 33]

1 hour ago, 24994J said:

 

Marion Brooks posted that it'll debut on Saturday with a soft launch.

https://www.instagram.com/marion.brooks/reel/DTlTOtcjFt5/

[GraphicsMan 345]

Jorge DeSantiago from the Telemundo side say they will debut something tomorrow.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZXKJJc8kJ/

[TheNewsTV 342]

And then came the new NBC5 studio.

 

 

Edited January 17 by TheNewsTV

[Jase 1164]

Quite the impressive setup. I like the Chicago Flag design on the floor and the peacock feather desk. Great job overall.

Edited April 6 by Jase

[24994J 5888]

That dude's uploads are always a little sloppy and lacking commentary, so I'm still posting my copy of the open here. 
 

 

[Spring Rubber 733]

I'm surprised that they rolled out a new open to commemorate the new studio and newsroom. I wonder how long they'll use this one.

[Jase 1164]

5 hours ago, Spring Rubber said:

I'm surprised that they rolled out a new open to commemorate the new studio and newsroom. I wonder how long they'll use this one.

Yeah… it’s a mouthful. I would guess they replace it with a standard version at some point.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

The studio is as barren is WNBC's, but that desk is . Very creative.  I've always wanted NBC to utilize the peacock feather in their desk design. It reminds me of their late 2000s L3 feather graphic. 

Edited January 18 by MediaZone4K

[Jase 1164]

5 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

The studio is as barren is WNBC's, but that desk is . Very creative.  I've always wanted NBC to utilize the peacock feather in their desk design. It reminds me of their late 2000s L3 feather graphic. 

 

The studio is what I expected. They really don't do in-studio interviews, cooking segments and the like often enough to justify having a ton of set pieces. etc... A desk and chairs is all they need.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

14 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

The studio is as barren is WNBC's, but that desk is . Very creative.  I've always wanted NBC to utilize the peacock feather in their desk design. It reminds me of their late 2000s L3 feather graphic. 

 

Off topic, but that was a bad time in WTVJ's history, yet still good enough to pull third in the ratings at the time (and beat WFOR).

[Jase 1164]

Longtime Fox 32 Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis close to deal with NBC 5

 

'Canellis likely hosted his last Bears postgame show for Fox 32 on Sunday night. The longtime sportscaster is nearing a deal with NBC 5 that could be announced this week, the Sun-Times has learned.'

[NBC 5 Chicago 215]

Here's the Sun-Times article. 

[FiveNews 481]

Great drone view of the new NBC5/Telemundo Chicago studios and newsroom.

 

 

[24994J 5888]

Not only is Lou Canellis in, but Mike Berman is out, and supposedly the moves aren't related.

 

Sure. Right.

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2026/01/21/nbc-5-chicago-fires-sports-anchor-mike-berman-lou-canellis-expected-to-start-next-week-leila-rahimi-jeff-blanzy-stacy-standohar

[Jase 1164]

17 hours ago, 24994J said:

Not only is Lou Canellis in, but Mike Berman is out, and supposedly the moves aren't related.

 

Sure. Right.

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2026/01/21/nbc-5-chicago-fires-sports-anchor-mike-berman-lou-canellis-expected-to-start-next-week-leila-rahimi-jeff-blanzy-stacy-standohar

Yeah… the moves are definitely related. Not surprised by Canellis’ move to NBC 5. It’s a lighter workload and allows him opportunity to spend more time with his family. Berman wasn’t particularly good, so no loss there. 

Edited January 22 by Jase

[Georgie56 3661]

It’ll be funny if WFLD ends up poaching Berman to take Canellis’ old spot there (although it’ll likely be Cassie Carlson replacing the latter over there).

Edited January 22 by Georgie56

[Jase 1164]

3 hours ago, Georgie56 said:

It’ll be funny if WFLD ends up poaching Berman to take Canellis’ old spot there (although it’ll likely be Cassie Carlson replacing the latter over there).

 

WFLD can do better than Berman. While Carlson may seem like the logical choice, I could see them looking for someone more seasoned (outside the market). Plus, Carlson appears to enjoy her current role and may be eyeing a different path (at Fox Sports, ESPN, etc..) down the line.

[24994J 5888]

Keeping a sports analogy, Berman is a great back-up quarterback. He'll get the job done in the absence of a starter, better than other teams in comparable situations, but there are likely better options out there to lead in the long-term.

 

That said, players like that often move to worse teams for their chance at the #1 position. Berman would absolutely be an upgrade over Carlson. However, I feel like WFLD has favored Tina Nguyen more, in recent months.

[Jase 1164]

18 hours ago, 24994J said:

Keeping a sports analogy, Berman is a great back-up quarterback. He'll get the job done in the absence of a starter, better than other teams in comparable situations, but there are likely better options out there to lead in the long-term.

 

That said, players like that often move to worse teams for their chance at the #1 position. Berman would absolutely be an upgrade over Carlson. However, I feel like WFLD has favored Tina Nguyen more, in recent months.

Nguyen was only recently given more to do (I.e… ‘After The Whistle’, which towards the end of its run, Lou took over). Overall, Carlson is much better, imo. Nguyen is a little too green still.

 

Nevertheless, solid pickup by NBC 5. Would be surprised if Berman ends up somewhere in market as there doesn’t appear to be many (any) opportunities available. Maybe a sports radio/podcast job is in his future somewhere.

[Encore 323 79]

As we all know, 2026 will be a big year for NBC due to the Olympics, Super Bowl 60, NBA, MLB, NFL, other sports, plus the busy political cycle with President Trump and the midterms so I get why NBC 5 has been making these moves. Last year, NBC 5 lured away Chuck Goudie from ABC 7 to strengthen the investigative team and now this year with Lou Canellis from FOX 32 to strengthen the sports coverage, and as the station becomes highly sampled, they obviously want that momentum from these events to continue beyond these periods, which goes into why they made the investment into new digital proof-state of the art studios, integration with Telemundo Chicago for extended resources, better reporting, and investigative content, as well as being more present in the communities across the Chicagoland region.
 

The other stations in town better watch out because NBC 5 will be highly sampled this year and may slowly take a half or more of the ratings cake away from channel 7. They have done it before during parts of the 1990s, 2010s, and they might do it again. The NBC O&O stations are in a state of momentum right now due to the stations prioritizing stability and substance, and it is paying off in the ratings, so we will see what happens in Chicago.

Edited January 25 by Encore 323

[Jase 1164]

On 1/25/2026 at 12:58 PM, Encore 323 said:

As we all know, 2026 will be a big year for NBC due to the Olympics, Super Bowl 60, NBA, MLB, NFL, other sports, plus the busy political cycle with President Trump and the midterms so I get why NBC 5 has been making these moves. Last year, NBC 5 lured away Chuck Goudie from ABC 7 to strengthen the investigative team and now this year with Lou Canellis from FOX 32 to strengthen the sports coverage, and as the station becomes highly sampled, they obviously want that momentum from these events to continue beyond these periods, which goes into why they made the investment into new digital proof-state of the art studios, integration with Telemundo Chicago for extended resources, better reporting, and investigative content, as well as being more present in the communities across the Chicagoland region.
 

The other stations in town better watch out because NBC 5 will be highly sampled this year and may slowly take a half or more of the ratings cake away from channel 7. They have done it before during parts of the 1990s, 2010s, and they might do it again. The NBC O&O stations are in a state of momentum right now due to the stations prioritizing stability and substance, and it is paying off in the ratings, so we will see what happens in Chicago.

 

I agree. WMAQ has stepped up their game recently. They have also hired a new 'Food Guy', Kevin Pang and brought back Chris Hush too. Lou made his on-air debut on Monday and is setting in very well with the team. 

[NBC 5 Chicago 215]

WMAQ did a 1 hour special 9pm election coverage yesterday on YouTube and their streaming channel. It was done solely in the new newsroom. They had a desk put in as well which I thought was nice. It truly was a great way to show off their new space with the different camera angles and monitors throughout. Here's the whole episode on YouTube.