WMAQ Shake UP

[B2r4a6n 103]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-nbc-chicago-stefan-holt-returns-20200819-eyozln45dvcobbn4rjit7rmura-story.html

[NBC 5 Chicago 196]

Here's Feders post as well.

 

I'm actually quite shocked at this. I'm wondering why they're breaking up Rob and Allison at 10pm? They were the longest news team in the market. Still not getting a co-anchor for the morning news just seems bizarre to me too.

 

Definitely one of the most major changes at WMAQ in quite a long time. They've always made small changes here and there or they've taken their sweet time promoting people but this his a huge sweep of changes. 

[B2r4a6n 103]

I agree, this is shocking, especially how it seems to come out of nowhere. Wonder if this was partly Rob's decision? Also, you're right, how have they not hired a co-anchor for mornings yet? 

[NBC 5 Chicago 196]

Just now, B2r4a6n said:

I agree, this is shocking, especially how it seems to come out of nowhere. Wonder if this was partly Rob's decision? Also, you're right, how have they not hired a co-anchor for mornings yet? 

 

In Feders post it said that Rob was joining the investigating unit. Hes been part of it for awhile now. Granted there haven't been a lot of reports filed under it by him. Maybe it was a personal decision to move over to more of an investigator role. He worked at Dateline for quite awhile before coming to Chicago. I'd really hate it if they pushed him out in favor of Holt. Although I really like Stefan. He was great with Zoraida in the mornings. 

[R.R. 98]

I was stunned to see that it was a true deal. But what about Fazio? He's been on the 4PM for the last two years

[24994J 5664]

Moving Fazio to 11am and afternoon reporting shows the confidence, or lack thereof, they have in him.

[Spring Rubber 718]

4 hours ago, 24994J said:

Moving Fazio to 11am and afternoon reporting shows the confidence, or lack thereof, they have in him.

Especially when making him morning and 11am anchor would be the obvious move, yet they're not doing that.

[MorningNews 1540]

Pretty insane especially since some were here calling for a major shakeup at WMAQ a few months ago. They are still a solid #2 right? 

[24994J 5664]

6 minutes ago, MorningNews said:

Pretty insane especially since some were here calling for a major shakeup at WMAQ a few months ago. They are still a solid #2 right? 

 

Ehhhhh, kind of a 2.5 or 3, honestly. They're #2 across evenings (behind ABC 7), #3 in the morning (behind WGN and 7), and don't lead any weekday (and likely weekend) slot.

[Newscenter5WCVB 29]

Aren't they a strong #2? There were a few ratings periods where 5 was practically stepping on 7s heels. 

[24994J 5664]

That was awhile ago. They still do alright in the demo, but their 10pm numbers have fallen hard in the last year or so, while 7's have stayed steady. Stafford & Adamle's health absences came at the time when ABC 7 doubled down on promoting the Krashesky/Brock pairing and Cheryl Scott's ascension.

 

Holt is an instant upgrade at 4pm (where I believe NBC runs 3rd behind Chicago's #1 News & Chicago's Very Own), and a fresh, yet familiar face on a broadcast that should be thriving in this era of success for NBC primetime.