Random WFLD thread

[K77 10]

10 hours ago, Jase said:

I figured this (a seamless background) was a possibility. I do wonder if the alcove (see pic) will be redone as well. Such an underutilized area that, if done properly, could provide another opportunity for standups and whatnot.

 

 

ND and/or EP (I forgot who) doesn't like that area of the set. I'm sure it's going to get ripped out if it hasn't already yet. They ditched it a while back (it was mainly used during the morning weather) for the weather to just be done directly from the weather center attached to the newsroom.

 

I heard the main studio is getting the seamless background monitor upgrade and other upgrades/changes to the set. I don't know if it's going to be a full overhaul. Might be a WMAQ type set upgrade. I know they just changed the weather graphics to the blue and gold graphic set (from the morning graphic set that WFLD doesn't use for their morning show).

 

I don't remember when the morning meteorologists were last in the actual studio or had any actual shots at the anchor desk.. They do all their weather directly from the weather center now or from the windowed studio on rare occasions.

[R.R. 90]

1 hour ago, K77 said:

They do all their weather directly from the weather center now or from the windowed studio on rare occasions.

And it took dang near more than 6 years after the set made its debut for them to have a weather center. The weather cave was on the other side of the Chroma wall.

[Jase 1047]

They are back at the desk. The seamless video background is nice.

 

 

[Jase 1047]

18 hours ago, K77 said:

 

ND and/or EP (I forgot who) doesn't like that area of the set. I'm sure it's going to get ripped out if it hasn't already yet. They ditched it a while back (it was mainly used during the morning weather) for the weather to just be done directly from the weather center attached to the newsroom.

 

I heard the main studio is getting the seamless background monitor upgrade and other upgrades/changes to the set. I don't know if it's going to be a full overhaul. Might be a WMAQ type set upgrade. I know they just changed the weather graphics to the blue and gold graphic set (from the morning graphic set that WFLD doesn't use for their morning show).

 

I don't remember when the morning meteorologists were last in the actual studio or had any actual shots at the anchor desk.. They do all their weather directly from the weather center now or from the windowed studio on rare occasions.

 

17 hours ago, R.R. said:

And it took dang near more than 6 years after the set made its debut for them to have a weather center. The weather cave was on the other side of the Chroma wall.

The weather center has been around since July 2022 and was a part of a larger renovation project WFLD undertook over a 2-3 year period.

 

They ditched the ‘Storm Force’  weather graphic elements (which I liked) for ‘Weather Authority’ a couple of weeks back. 

Edited June 12, 2024 by Jase

[K77 10]

6 hours ago, Jase said:

 

The weather center has been around since July 2022 and was a part of a larger renovation project WFLD undertook over a 2-3 year period.

 

I believe that renovation actually involved work that needed to be done with the building infrastructure itself as to why it took so long. I know the place had some larger plumbing issues that needed to be dealt with that involved walls/ceilings and concrete needing to be ripped out in some of those areas.

[Jase 1047]

3 hours ago, K77 said:

I believe that renovation actually involved work that needed to be done with the building infrastructure itself as to why it took so long. I know the place had some larger plumbing issues that needed to be dealt with that involved walls/ceilings and concrete needing to be ripped out in some of those areas.

 

You may be referring to work to renovate the plazas that surround the Illinois Center complex. WFLD modernized/renovated the space (offices, newsroom, etc...) that they occupy within the building as part of signing a new long-term lease. That work and work on the plazas happened around the same time.

 

The weather center is in an area that was once was a conference room/open space within the newsroom, which wouldn't require any of the major work you're suggesting nor would be the responsibility of WFLD. 

[R.R. 90]

Well, the good thing is, the set has not been destroyed. It still looks good!

[K77 10]

On 6/13/2024 at 1:33 AM, Jase said:

 

You may be referring to work to renovate the plazas that surround the Illinois Center complex. WFLD modernized/renovated the space (offices, newsroom, etc...) that they occupy within the building as part of signing a new long-term lease. That work and work on the plazas happened around the same time.

 

The weather center is in an area that was once was a conference room/open space within the newsroom, which wouldn't require any of the major work you're suggesting nor would be the responsibility of WFLD. 

No. There were pipes in the wall off the newsroom or near the newsroom that needed replacing having to do with the building's plumbing infrastructure. That's the plumbing work I'm talking about. I can pull up work permits for it if needed.

[R.R. 90]

Kaitlin Cody is back from maternity leave. Sylvia mentioned her return in the toss to weather during the news at noon.

[Jase 1047]

FYI.... Something is going on in Studio 32. They have moved everything out (anchor desk, big video monitor, etc...) and one wall is covered in plastic. They have been using this secondary studio less and less as of late; but hopefully whatever is going on, they're not abandoning the space.

[24994J 5575]

Honestly, I don't know why the noon isn't anchored from Studio 32. A nice change of pace for what is (probably?) one of their better-rated newscasts, and it the bustling intersection at the peak of the workday as a backdrop adds a nice energy.

[Jase 1047]

54 minutes ago, 24994J said:

Honestly, I don't know why the noon isn't anchored from Studio 32. A nice change of pace for what is (probably?) one of their better-rated newscasts, and it the bustling intersection at the peak of the workday as a backdrop adds a nice energy.

 

The space is definitely underutilized. Given one wall is covered in plastic (to protect several monitors); my guess is maybe they're painting, doing something to the floor, etc... Nevertheless, it's a space no one else has (street side studios aside), so hopefully it will be back up and running at some point.  

[R.R. 90]

2 hours ago, 24994J said:

Honestly, I don't know why the noon isn't anchored from Studio 32. A nice change of pace for what is (probably?) one of their better-rated newscasts, and it the bustling intersection at the peak of the workday as a backdrop adds a nice energy

Well they were anchoring from Upstairs in Studio 32 during COVID amid social distancing. Sylvia even anchored the noon in that area during and post-covid until they reassigned the noon to Roseanne, placing back to the main set.

[Chicago2008 20]

Is it just me or is Roseanne doing mostly  feature stories?

[Jase 1047]

47 minutes ago, Chicago2008 said:

Is it just me or is Roseanne doing mostly  feature stories?

That’s her role currently (in addition to being a fill-in anchor). They would have been better off pairing Roseanne with Anita and Anthony with Natalie because the new guy (Brian Jackson) is pretty bad.

[Chicago2008 20]

21 minutes ago, Jase said:

That’s her role currently (in addition to being a fill-in anchor). They would have been better off pairing Roseanne with Anita and Anthony with Natalie because the new guy (Brian Jackson) is pretty bad.

At one point she anchored the 4:30-7:00 AM block, and was in the field the 7:00-10:00 am block? Do I have that right?

[R.R. 90]

1 hour ago, Chicago2008 said:

4:30-7:00 AM

Initially 4:30-7a yes with Kristen Nichole and Anthony Ponce before she was reassigned in 2019 when Rafer and Roseanne took on the role.

[Jase 1047]

On 8/12/2024 at 3:44 PM, 24994J said:

Honestly, I don't know why the noon isn't anchored from Studio 32. A nice change of pace for what is (probably?) one of their better-rated newscasts, and it the bustling intersection at the peak of the workday as a backdrop adds a nice energy.

 

I happened by the Illinois Center today and noticed they were working inside of Studio 32. While i couldn't make out everything they were doing (because of the glare of the sun), let's just say the upgrades they're making to the studio are nothing short of significant. No doubt once work is done, they will be using the studio more than they ever did.

[Chicago2008 20]

What is studio 32? And this summer they had several morning shows anchored out on the plaza 

Edited September 4, 2024 by Chicago2008

[R.R. 90]

3 hours ago, Chicago2008 said:

What is studio 32?

Studio 32 is or was the studio upstairs at the WFLD offices & studios that faces towards Michigan Ave & Lake Street. Became the title during Covid.

[Jase 1047]

WFLD names Glen Dacy VP of News Content and Streaming

 

It's a return to WFLD for Dacy who once served as senior producer for Good Day Chicago.

Edited September 9, 2024 by Jase

[Jase 1047]

WFLD’s Sunday Night Sports program has a new name…. Chicago Sports Tonight (which replaces Sports Zone). Also worth noting is that Bears Game Day Live is now 90 minutes and there are no longer two separate Bears pregame shows (Fox Kickoff Live & Bears GDL). 
 

[Georgie56 3303]

53 minutes ago, Jase said:

WFLD’s Sunday Night Sports program has a new name…. Chicago Sports Tonight (which replaces Sports Zone). Also worth noting is that Bears Game Day Live is now 90 minutes and there are no longer two separate Bears pregame shows (Fox Kickoff Live & Bears GDL). 
 

Why not go back to the longest-running name, Final Word? Also, with a name like that, it should be a nightly program instead of just on Sundays.

[24994J 5575]

50 minutes ago, Georgie56 said:

Why not go back to the longest-running name, Final Word? Also, with a name like that, it should be a nightly program instead of just on Sundays.

 

They had a job listing for a long time for a sports producer role that implied the possible creation of a nightly program, so this could be a first step, like the reverse process of what WGN did.

[Jase 1047]

19 hours ago, Georgie56 said:

Why not go back to the longest-running name, Final Word? Also, with a name like that, it should be a nightly program instead of just on Sundays.

 

I always like Sports Edge (which preceded the Final Word). 

 

18 hours ago, 24994J said:

 

They had a job listing for a long time for a sports producer role that implied the possible creation of a nightly program, so this could be a first step, like the reverse process of what WGN did.

 

They've had a lot of listings for sports producers (including executive sports producer) over the past several months. It's my understanding that they want to create/produce more shows (particularly sports-centric ones) for both the linear side and streaming (Fox Local).

 

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if CST becomes a nightly show. Nguyen already has a special sports series... 'Chicago Built' that airs on Fox Local. 

Edited September 9, 2024 by Jase