bostonmediaguy 123 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 In perhaps a sign of wider things to come, WBZ/Boston is (yet again) launching a 10pm newscast airing on sister-station WSBK/Boston on July 18. It will be titled "CBS News Boston Now on TV38." I've included a screenshot from the station's TitanTV program schedule. Could this be a sign of a full rebrand from WBZ News? While it could certainly be part of the "hybrid, local-to-national multiplatform newscasts for several of the company’s CW, independent and MyNetwork TV-affiliated stations" that CBS Stations is launching, the branding is odd. If it's just going to air on TV38, why include the station's brand in the title? 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
nycnewsjunkie 1443 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 This isn’t a sign of anything until we see evidence of WBZ itself rebranding (the website doesn’t count.) CBS stations using the “CBS News (Insert City)” brand for newscasts isn’t anything new. KTVT does it at midday to promote their streaming service, and WLNY did it for a while at 9pm. The “Now on TV38” portion of the title could just be part of the cable guide’s listing, but we’ll have to see what it looks like at launch. What we do know, per NewscastStudio, is that CBS is working on new graphics that are expected to launch in the fall. I have personally seen no evidence in publications that suggests CBS intends to get rid of local branding on their main local newscasts based on the new website designs (nor have I even heard rumors backed up by sources.) Because of this lack of verifiable info, until we see/hear more of the specific changes that are to come in terms of rebranding, I would treat any suggestions of a full brand overhaul as pure speculation, and nothing more. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmediaguy 123 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 I agree that this is not indicative of a rebrand of the station, but potentially, a rebrand of its newscasts. You could, however, be correct in that this is simply a new, 10pm newscast that will simulcast on the OTT CBS News Boston and OTA on WSBK. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274899 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddaniels20 68 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) I just checked the listings for CW Philly (WPSG) for that day, and similarly, its 10PM newscast is being rebranded as CBS Philadelphia News Now. It's listed as a full hour, but I suspect it'll still be a half-hour and just replay it again at 10:30. Edited July 7, 2022 by ddaniels20 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFTV 527 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 Interesting move. Makes me wonder if KBCW will ramp up a 10 pm newscast again or heck even a morning show *shrug* 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274904 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddaniels20 68 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 Upon further research, it appears that the majority of 10PM newscasts running on CBS duolopies are being rebranded as CBS (City Name) News Now, or something similar. KBCW, KSTW (both resurrecting evening newscasts), WKBD, WPSG, WTOG, WUPA, WBFS (9PM instead) and WSBK's newscasts are all being rebranded under the Now branding. As of now, there does not appear to be any changes for WLNY, WPCW, or KCAL. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274905 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLNewsExpert 455 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 What a mouthful of a newscast title though! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274906 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3307 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) KTXA is getting this too. I’m pretty sure these new newscasts must be coming from the news lab CBS installed at KTVT/KTXA. Edited July 7, 2022 by Georgie56 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitTVNews 66 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 These "News Now" titles must be interim titles, but yeah I wouldn't be surprised if these will be produced at KTVT. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4378 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) On 7/7/2022 at 9:03 AM, nycnewsjunkie said: This isn’t a sign of anything until we see evidence of WBZ itself rebranding (the website doesn’t count.) CBS stations using the “CBS News (Insert City)” brand for newscasts isn’t anything new. KTVT does it at midday to promote their streaming service, and WLNY did it for a while at 9pm. The “Now on TV38” portion of the title could just be part of the cable guide’s listing, but we’ll have to see what it looks like at launch. What we do know, per NewscastStudio, is that CBS is working on new graphics that are expected to launch in the fall. I have personally seen no evidence in publications that suggests CBS intends to get rid of local branding on their main local newscasts based on the new website designs (nor have I even heard rumors backed up by sources.) Because of this lack of verifiable info, until we see/hear more of the specific changes that are to come in terms of rebranding, I would treat any suggestions of a full brand overhaul as pure speculation, and nothing more. Everything is pointing to CBS using these DFW-hub produced newscasts as what will subsume all the existing brands. (NewscastStudio isn’t exactly a reliable source, tbh, I could barely read what Michael Hill wrote.) Outside of WCCO, KCNC, WJZ and KDKA, the CBS O&Os are laggards. WFOR, KYW-TV and WBBM have nothing to lose by becoming CBS News Miami, CBS News Philadelphia and CBS News Chicago, respectively. Ditch the current number and call letter brands and Enforcer, too. Besides, it’s all but confirmed that WWJ-TV will be rebranding as CBS Detroit/CBS News Detroit when their news operation launches. Edited July 9, 2022 by Myron Falwell 5 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson R. 569 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 6:00 AM, bostonmediaguy said: In perhaps a sign of wider things to come, WBZ/Boston is (yet again) launching a 10pm newscast airing on sister-station WSBK/Boston on July 18. It will be titled "CBS News Boston Now on TV38." I've included a screenshot from the station's TitanTV program schedule. Could this be a sign of a full rebrand from WBZ News? While it could certainly be part of the "hybrid, local-to-national multiplatform newscasts for several of the company’s CW, independent and MyNetwork TV-affiliated stations" that CBS Stations is launching, the branding is odd. If it's just going to air on TV38, why include the station's brand in the title? WSBK is keeping their 8pm news and moving the 10pm portion of their MyNet schedule to 1am. I think it would’ve been easier for them to have the news at 9 and 10 and MyNet from 11pm-1am. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274951 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4378 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Nelson R. said: WSBK is keeping their 8pm news and moving the 10pm portion of their MyNet schedule to 1am. I think it would’ve been easier for them to have the news at 9 and 10 and MyNet from 11pm-1am. WSBK doesn’t have to compete against anyone at 8pm. The 10pm hour is up against WHDH and (in theory) WFXT. Why not experiment at 10pm and eventually merge the two newscasts as a 8–11pm primetime news block? Edited July 9, 2022 by Myron Falwell Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2446 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 20 minutes ago, Nelson R. said: WSBK is keeping their 8pm news and moving the 10pm portion of their MyNet schedule to 1am. I think it would’ve been easier for them to have the news at 9 and 10 and MyNet from 11pm-1am. No because... competition. WHDH is on at both 9 and 10pm. Why not keep WBZ's traditional news on WSBK at 8pm and have the experiment on at 10pm. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274953 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nycnewsjunkie 1443 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Myron Falwell said: Everything is pointing to CBS using these DFW-hub produced newscasts as what will subsume all the existing brands. (NewscastStudio isn’t exactly a reliable source, tbh, I could barely read what Michael Hill wrote.) Outside of WCCO, KCNC, WJZ and KDKA, the CBS O&Os are laggards. WFOR, KYW-TV and WBBM have nothing to lose by becoming CBS News Miami, CBS News Philadelphia and CBS News Chicago, respectively. Ditch the current number and call letter brands and Enforcer, too. Besides, it’s all but confirmed that WWJ-TV will be rebranding as CBS Detroit/CBS News Detroit when their news operation launches. I suppose only 4/15 consistently good stations isn’t exactly a great track record for the station group, so you definitely have a point there. And it certainly makes sense to ditch Enforcer (if that’s in the works.) IMHO, that music had its day, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the back of it in favor of something new. That said, I still don’t understand how going the CTV route with local branding would increase ratings at the dead weight stations. WFOR, KYW, WBBM, etc. may not have anything to lose by ditching their local titles, but what would they have to gain that would make them stand out from WSVN, WPVI, or WGN? Considering that they might also ditch the local brands of the more successful stations, they’d be gambling away successful and proven names for the remote possibility that they improve in other markets. It sounds like cutting off one’s nose to spite their face in their competitive markets (one could include WBZ as being competitive for CBS too, given WHDH’s loss of NBC.) You’re right that WWJ will be branding as CBS News Detroit, but you could say that’s because WWJ (TV) never carved out any distinct identity whatsoever. This kind of branding actually works for their case, as it puts the power of a big network brand (even if their national news is incredibly weak) behind a station that has little to no news reputation to speak of. It’s entirely possible that you’re right, and they go the CTV route. I suppose there’s also a non-zero chance they go generic for their struggling stations while keeping local brands intact on their more successful ones. There’s also a chance that the local brands don’t go away at all, even with the new “CBS News” brand on certain newscasts and online (see posts from @Geoffrey in the WCBS thread for potential evidence of that.) The whole thing still seems like a bit of a crapshoot to me, and I know we’re just making very early guesses, but it’ll definitely be interesting to see what happens in the fall. Edited July 9, 2022 by nycnewsjunkie Clarity, grammar, spelling 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274958 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyHarry 727 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 6:00 AM, bostonmediaguy said: "CBS News Boston Now on TV38." Simple, catchy, it really rolls off the tongue. Whoever came up with that is a genius! I love it! /s 5 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 396 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) I see two possibilities for KCNC Denver: CBS News Denver Now OR CBS News Colorado Now. But either way, sounds like a mouthful to say. Edited July 9, 2022 by newsteam13 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274975 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DENDude 217 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 2 hours ago, newsteam13 said: I see two possibilities for KCNC Denver: CBS News Denver Now OR CBS News Colorado Now. But either way, sounds like a mouthful to say. It will be CBS News Colorado, they are already headed in that direction with the streaming service. I'm thinking sometime in the fall they will rebrand the newscasts to CBS News Colorado. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFTV 527 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 11:11 AM, SFTV said: Interesting move. Makes me wonder if KBCW will ramp up a 10 pm newscast again or heck even a morning show *shrug* Spoke too soon Starting this Monday. KPIX will be launching an hour long 7am online newscast on CBS NEWS BAY AREA. one of the anchors IG story mentions that there will be more fun…we’ll see if they loosen up their sleeves like KGO does because ABC7 @ 7 literally screams KTLA. Especially with the lower thirds when they go to break. https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2022/7/6/someone-is-cranky 1 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274985 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Kissel 283 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) I'm praying we don't see "CBS News Pittsburgh" branded newscasts because the KDKA name is still very valuable in Pittsburgh. Unless CBS wants to give it up completely to Entercom/Audacy (KDKA-AM [100.1/1020 Newsradio] and KDKA-FM [93.7 The Fan]) but I'm probably wrong. I would love to see a refresh of the black and gold graphics from 2020 though with the new look. I do believe if the CBS Owned CW stations get sold to Nexstar/Mission (as I mentioned in The CW being sold to Nexstar board) , The newscasts on the CW stations will move online only for good and Nexstar will replace them with a National NewsNation segment (similar to The National Desk). Edited July 10, 2022 by Kenneth Kissel Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3307 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 14 minutes ago, Kenneth Kissel said: I'm praying we don't see "CBS News Pittsburgh" branded newscasts because the KDKA name is still very valuable in Pittsburgh. Unless CBS wants to give it up completely to Entercom/Audacy (KDKA-AM [100.1/1020 Newsradio] and KDKA-FM [93.7 The Fan]) but I'm probably wrong. I would love to see a refresh of the black and gold graphics from 2020 though with the new look. I do believe if the CBS Owned CW stations get sold to Nexstar/Mission (as I mentioned in The CW being sold to Nexstar board) , The newscasts on the CW stations will move online only for good and Nexstar will replace them with a National NewsNation segment (similar to The National Desk). The new graphics the CBS O&Os debut this fall will be uniform across the group. That means say goodbye to the Steelers/Pens/Pirates colors. 3 1 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274994 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Kissel 283 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Just now, Georgie56 said: The new graphics the CBS O&Os debut this fall will be uniform across the group. That means say goodbye to the Steelers/Pens/Pirates colors. I will disagree on this for now and believe KDKA-TV will modify it to match the current package when it launches. I don't see them getting rid of the Steelers/Pens/Pirates colors yet. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274995 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganNewsGraphicsJunkie 917 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 I wonder if they'll incorporate the little 5 note ditty that WBZ and WCCO are using for their weather 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274996 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodfreyGR 652 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 2 hours ago, MichiganNewsGraphicsJunkie said: I wonder if they'll incorporate the little 5 note ditty that WBZ and WCCO are using for their weather Probably. I wish CCO hadn't ditched the "weather watcher whistle" for the CBS 5-note tone. On 7/8/2022 at 8:18 PM, Myron Falwell said: Outside of WCCO, KCNC, WJZ and KDKA, the CBS O&Os are laggards. I still argue the "If it isn't broken..." argument. WCCO desperately needs a graphics refresh like all the CBS O&O's; but they have done a good job going with what they know works in the market- a set that has aged shockingly well for being 10-years old (minor updates, of course), iconic branding, and recognizable air staff. On the other side of town, KARE11 used to be #1 with that same formula, and now they're just happy to be in the Top 5 (as of Nov 2021). 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3307 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 3 hours ago, MichiganNewsGraphicsJunkie said: I wonder if they'll incorporate the little 5 note ditty that WBZ and WCCO are using for their weather KCNC and WFOR are also using the mnemonic for their 7-day forecast as well. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-274999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGSJenkins 435 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 4 hours ago, Kenneth Kissel said: I will disagree on this for now and believe KDKA-TV will modify it to match the current package when it launches. I don't see them getting rid of the Steelers/Pens/Pirates colors yet. Especially after the paint on their vehicles, black and yellow nor KDKA ain't going nowhere any time soon. 3 2 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19050-wbzboston-and-other-cbs-oos-to-rebrand-newscasts/#findComment-275000 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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