WDIV Announces Plans to open Coffee Shop, TV Studio

[ns8401 995]

WDIV is opening a coffee shop in the western Detroit suburb of Plymouth with the oh so clever name “Fourgrounds”. 
 

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/06/24/local-4-to-open-coffee-shop-community-space-in-downtown-plymouth/

[WhoCares2 22]

First of all, this is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

Secondly, are things so profitable with Sean McLaughlin at Graham that they can afford to do this?

[Georgie56 3661]

I think it's a good idea. Local TV news needs all the help it can get, and this is a very innovative way of doing it. This'll help viewers have a more personal connection with WDIV.

 

Also, the article mentions that WDIV is moving production of their daily lifestyle show there.

Edited June 25, 2025 by Georgie56

[KShow2 14]

1 hour ago, WhoCares2 said:

First of all, this is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

Secondly, are things so profitable with Sean McLaughlin at Graham that they can afford to do this?

 

I agree. With all the cuts in television, this is what they decide to spend their money on? I don’t see this lasting a year. It won’t attract viewers, if that’s what they’re hoping for. 

[MidwestTV 1358]

What do you got to lose? Better to try something unique to spark energy and fail, than try nothing new and fail anyway.

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Interesting concept.  Seems like it's an idea they should have tried decades ago as lifestyle programming ...cough cough "pay for play" and online interactivity was beginning to take off.

 

[Dave Lampstein 287]

Kind of an interesting idea. I really didn't care for the entirely AI-written article about their own endeavor though... it has hallmarks of ChatGPT throughout which feels really lazy.

[appleachian 138]

WRAL has a store in the Raleigh-Durham airport.  It’s just a market with supplies for travelers.  I assume its real purpose is just like any other form of advertising.  It exposes newcomers and visitors to the WRAL brand. 
 

https://www.rdu.com/wral-travel-store/

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

1 hour ago, appleachian said:

WRAL has a store in the Raleigh-Durham airport.  It’s just a market with supplies for travelers.  I assume its real purpose is just like any other form of advertising.  It exposes newcomers and visitors to the WRAL brand. 
 

https://www.rdu.com/wral-travel-store/

 

If you click on the picture, you can see a bit inside the store, but unfortunately, there's no WRAL merchandise. Its just a marketing purpose with no real merch for us fanatics of WRAL-TV, which kinda stinks because I'd wish they did have some so I can buy some whenever I'm in the Raleigh market.

[Megatron81 343]

WFLA has a store in Tampa's airport just branding no merch just to get snacks, drinks, books, & mags. Maybe be a few that like WDIV will show up for the morning show and the lifestyle program and get a cup of coffee I don't know if this will work thou.

[MarkAnimates 40]

This is interesting....

[SFTV 567]

 

On 6/25/2025 at 9:51 PM, TheRolyPoly said:

 

If you click on the picture, you can see a bit inside the store, but unfortunately, there's no WRAL merchandise. Its just a marketing purpose with no real merch for us fanatics of WRAL-TV, which kinda stinks because I'd wish they did have some so I can buy some whenever I'm in the Raleigh market.

Same with KUSI…. 
https://www.san.org/Shop-Dine-Relax/Detail?Id=54

[mre29 1967]

CNBC has shops in multiple airports, though they're also just news/convenience stores with branding. I remember seeing one in Charlotte back in 2007.

 

[atlnews2 631]

On 6/25/2025 at 11:00 PM, appleachian said:

WRAL has a store in the Raleigh-Durham airport.  It’s just a market with supplies for travelers.  I assume its real purpose is just like any other form of advertising.  It exposes newcomers and visitors to the WRAL brand. 
 

https://www.rdu.com/wral-travel-store/

WXIA had (has?? Not sure if still there) the same thing at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta…it was funny that they continued to use the 90s era 11Alive logo and never updated the signage to the current red logo 

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

1 hour ago, atlnews2 said:

WXIA had (has?? Not sure if still there) the same thing at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta…it was funny that they continued to use the 90s era 11Alive logo and never updated the signage to the current red logo 

 

This is common enough that I'm sure it's just a licensing deal.

[SDHIll1980 150]

2 hours ago, atlnews2 said:

WXIA had (has?? Not sure if still there) the same thing at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta…it was funny that they continued to use the 90s era 11Alive logo and never updated the signage to the current red logo 

Sister KPNX in Phoenix has a store at Sky Harbor Airport, although the airport website erroneously labeled the shop as "CNBC 12 News".

https://www.skyharbor.com/at-the-airport/shops/cnbc-12-news-680/

[WhoCares2 22]

2 hours ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

This is common enough that I'm sure it's just a licensing deal.

I'm guessing since a majority of the airport stores are NBC affiliates they're connected to CNBC deal with Paradies Lagardère. 

 

WRAL confirms that's who operates the store using their brand. 

https://capitolbroadcasting.com/2018/06/13/wral-opens-new-travel-store-at-rdu/

[Samantha 2923]

Just going to flag that this shouldn't be a list. Airport newsstands and what WDIV is doing are very different ventures.

Edited July 1, 2025 by Samantha

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

40 minutes ago, Samantha said:

Just going to flag that this shouldn't be a list. Airport newsstands and what WDIV is doing are very different ventures.

 

Yes. Back to WDIV... it is an interesting concept. I'm excited to see how it comes through and how its implemented. At least its something original because you don't see anyone else doing this.

[l_miro 245]

“We want to be a local news brand that builds community,” said Ellis. “By creating a space like this where everyone is welcome, we will be more local than ever before, and we believe that means something special.”

 

Audibly laughted at 2:04am in the dark. They've no clue what to do to get eyeballs

 

 

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

1 hour ago, l_miro said:

“We want to be a local news brand that builds community,” said Ellis. “By creating a space like this where everyone is welcome, we will be more local than ever before, and we believe that means something special.”

 

Audibly laughted at 2:04am in the dark. They've no clue what to do to get eyeballs

 

All they can do is think with the sale department.

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Just imagine if Karen gets a bad cup of coffee and wants to "speak with the manager"

 

Not to mention all of the other crackpots who want to worm their way onto TV....

[HanSolo 468]

The idea is interesting. Maybe it works maybe not. Trying new things with partners who handle their areas of expertise is fine. Live and learn. 
 

Years ago, like all the way back in the last century, WPVI Philly ran a store at the King of Prussia mall. Had a small space for reporters to do live reports though I can’t say I remember that part being used much. No coffee, but it had an assortment of station and ABC-show branded merchandise. Travel mugs, hats, pens, shirts…all that kind of stuff. Lasted a few years and quietly closed down. But it got them some branding in a high-traffic location for a while. 
 

It’s easy to find all the potential negatives and things to pick apart, but in a rapidly changing landscape, taking a calculated swing now and then can be worth the shot. 

[Georgie56 3661]

KCRA at one point had a studio at Arden Fair Mall, The KCRA 3 Experience, where they produced their noon newscast.

 

 

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

12 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Just imagine if Karen gets a bad cup of coffee and wants to "speak with the manager"

 

Not to mention all of the other crackpots who want to worm their way onto TV....

 

*The News Director comes out from the back*