2008 Predictions

[Gulf_Broadcasting 0]

 

I've also heard the "all NBC O&Os in HD by the end of the year" line as well, except when I heard it, the year in question was 2007. I

 

well from what i know, only 2 NBC O&Os are in HD, KXAS & WNBC! Mind you, KXAS's HD is HORRIBLE :-[ all they did was get an HD set and added HD to their logos! KTVT & KTXA did a much better job in their conversion to HD

[WCAUTVNBC10 413]

 

Yeah, I can confirm both stations in my first prediction as well. I guess it was more of an assertion, yes?

 

Yeah CAU just bought a sexy new master control unit. I still haven't gotten any word yet whether they are going to lose the 7 1/2 year old set and music. Their set is not HD compliant and even if it was, I wouldn't dare hold it over. The music needs to go as it should have been changed in '05 when they got their current graphics package.

 

AFA FMZ is concerned, they are pretty much set in that department. All they really need to do is flip a switch to convert to HD.

 

As for KYW-TV: ABC has more to lose with the WGA strike than CBS, meaning Action News will inevitable have a weaker lead in. I think it's going to be less CBS improving their prime time line up and more ABC losing some standing with theirs.

 

agreed

 

Re: Bolaris/Guarino: I say flop relatively. That's more along the lines of what you're thinking -- he won't do as much as they think he will. Guarino's hinted strongly at leaving the market altogether, so I'm not sure a move to WCAU is that evident.

 

time will only tell

 

Speaking to ATAM: I really do think they'll drop the show. They'll never beat Oprah, and KYW-TV is getting what numbers you'll get for news at 4. They'd be much better served focusing resources on their 5:00 program, especially with how tight money is at 10 Monument nowadays.

 

See I don't see 10 letting 3 punking them out the timeslot they pioneered 10 years ago. I do see a return of NBC 10 News at 4PM with elements of ATAM remaining (like the interactivity) but with a bigger focus on news than there is now. I think with that kinda format, the show would do better.

[WCAUTVNBC10 413]

 

I've also heard the "all NBC O&Os in HD by the end of the year" line as well, except when I heard it, the year in question was 2007. I

 

well from what i know, only 2 NBC O&Os are in HD, KXAS & WNBC! Mind you, KXAS's HD is HORRIBLE :-[ all they did was get an HD set and added HD to their logos! KTVT & KTXA did a much better job in their conversion to HD

 

Well the NBC O&Os in HD was referenced for 2008. WCAU and KNBC are confirmed to relaunch as of right now. You have to keep in mind NBC has the budget of a $2 hooker and pretty much shops at the Walmarts of TV networks.

[who?cares 254]

• WRTV will get WLS's old set since they think "borrowing" from ABC O&Os will fix their situation.

 

The GM at WRTV said they won't get a new set until their HD launch.

 

Thanks for the compliment on the graphics package. Re: a new set. Our plans for that tie into a conversion to local news in HD.~http://www.rtv6blogs.com/gm/?p=200#comments

[Gulf_Broadcasting 0]

 

I've also heard the "all NBC O&Os in HD by the end of the year" line as well, except when I heard it, the year in question was 2007. I

 

well from what i know, only 2 NBC O&Os are in HD, KXAS & WNBC! Mind you, KXAS's HD is HORRIBLE :-[ all they did was get an HD set and added HD to their logos! KTVT & KTXA did a much better job in their conversion to HD

 

Well the NBC O&Os in HD was referenced for 2008. WCAU and KNBC are confirmed to relaunch as of right now. You have to keep in mind NBC has the budget of a $2 hooker and pretty much shops at the Walmarts of TV networks.

 

i know. still, though that's why I DON'T watch kxas. i usually watch 4, 8 or 11.

[jdcnow 14]

 

I've also heard the "all NBC O&Os in HD by the end of the year" line as well, except when I heard it, the year in question was 2007. I

 

well from what i know, only 2 NBC O&Os are in HD, KXAS & WNBC! Mind you, KXAS's HD is HORRIBLE :-[ all they did was get an HD set and added HD to their logos! KTVT & KTXA did a much better job in their conversion to HD

 

Well the NBC O&Os in HD was referenced for 2008. WCAU and KNBC are confirmed to relaunch as of right now. You have to keep in mind NBC has the budget of a $2 hooker and pretty much shops at the Walmarts of TV networks.

 

i know. still, though that's why I DON'T watch kxas. i usually watch 4, 8 or 11.

 

I'm laughing hysterically right now, only because the phrase "$2 Hooker" seems to fit KXAS to a tee.

Two thumbs up!

(Nostalgia: Oh for the good ole' days of complete LIN ownership and Texas News 5, again -- see avatar) Sigh...

[KSAT 12 Fan 0]

My predictions

WOAI

-They will go for a more traditional newscast

-They will drop San Antonio Living, move the 11am and noon airings of "The Today Show" to 10am and 11am respectively, and add a midday newscast.

 

KENS

-They will go HD, they already have an HD switcher in the control room

-They will produce a 9pm newscast for KCWX, it might beat KABB's news.

 

KSAT

-They will dump the talentless meterologist John Honore.

-They will get a REAL news set, dumping the virtual one in use since 2004.

-They will produce news in HD.

-They will get rid of Rachael Ray at 9am and hire Tanji Patton and produce a lifestyle show at that timeslot.

-They will stop airing SO MUCH paid programs on the weekends if there's no sports airing, air movies or sitcoms.

- Add a weekend morning newscast

 

KABB

-They will stop sucking and get sold to another owner.

[jdcnow 14]

(A) KSAT

-They will dump the talentless meterologist John Honore.

 

( KABB

-They will stop sucking and get sold to another owner.

 

(A) So that's where John Honore' went to. I remember his days pulling weekends at KTVT, back in the mid to late 90s. One year during the spring, we never had severe weather outbreaks during the week -- they would always wait until the weekend -- EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND one month.

 

(B) Fantasizes: Texas could always use another Fox O&O.

[mbhcity 3]

for DMA#2 Los Angeles

 

KNBC's Channel 4 News will definitely go Hi-Def, joining sisters T52 and Canal 22. Channel 4 will still battle for #1 in news in 2008. Bob Long must stick around. He's the saving grace of TV News in LA and is the reason why KNBC is doing far better in quality and newsworthiness than the rest. Sure we'll still have to put up with the badass Paul Moyer, but boy he can kick tail. I also enjoy Elita Loresca, despite the Playboy shots, she's very fun to watch. And Jennifer Bjorklund, talk about brains and beauty.

 

KTLA will continue to see a KCOP-ization of its newscasts. By that I mean, replacing more distinguished people with younger, less experienced, more attractive people who are payed less, forced to comply with managment, and are only there because of how they look. Tribune is already is a financial mess and therefore expect very few changes to happen, unless of course the change comes from downsizing and further job cuts.

 

I don't expect much change for the BIG BAD CHANNEL 7!!!!! I expect to see Bill Rattner getting paid big to do those "#1 In SoCal" promos. They have rolled out a new logo and might roll out some new graphics and an open pretty dang soon, maybe an update to Gari's EWN package. Maybe they'll follow WABC's suit, that's if WABC even does anything. If I ran the station, I would basically do what KGO or WLS has been doing. Those stations have better graphics, better opens, and better news presentations.

 

Don't expect any changes from the two duopolies...2 and 9 will continue to falter in the ratings, while KTTV will remain #1 in news, though this is because KTLA is faltering in the ratings. I'm sorry, but Chuck Amezcua is just not a good replacement for John Beard. Also I don't expect to see KTTV change anything soon, they probably will not go HD even after the switch off, nor has most FOX OnO's.

[lazynetjunkie 34]

Chicago

 

WBBM

-Gets new graphics, (they are getting a new set/building one block away from WLS.)

 

WLS

-Puts up concrete structures infront of the windows

 

WMAQ

-Goes HD

-Switches to the WNBC Pyburn Graphics

-Gets a new newsroom set, and a new desk for Studio 5

 

WFLD

-Goes HD

-Extends Good Day Chicago from 5-9 (it is currently 7-9)

 

 

For WLS, there may be 1 additional flower planter put in front of the window at the side of the interview set just like at the other portion in front of the anchor desk. Nothing ugly will be going up.

 

Umm... You must not watch Good Day Chicago. Good Day Chicago already runs from 5 to 9. There is even a graphic showing that on the Good Day portion of FoxChicago.com. It has been since they switched from the name FOX News in the Morning. The only reason why promos show Good Day Chicago being from 7-9 for a while is because that's the portion of the newscast anchored by Mike Barz and Jan Jeffcoat that has all the "features" that they are trying to promote. Otherwise, it's Good Day Chicago from 5AM until 9AM.

[lazynetjunkie 34]

I believe WLS's old set was donated to a college. I read that either here a while back, or it was on WLS's website.

 

 

That was WLS's old 1993-2001 set that was donated to Columbia College a few years ago. It was on the school's website and on WLS's website at the time. All it needed was a fresh coat of paint and a new Chicago skyline backdrop and it looks great.

 

I believe WLS's more current old 2001-2006 set is still sitting in the studio upstairs. I know it was left untouched for a while but I think some of the studio equipment was removed for uses elsewhere.

[TennTV1983 804]

My predictions for 2008:

 

Nashville, TN:

WKRN: They will get a new set. No HD news, unfortunately.

WSMV: They will finally go HD with their news.

WTVF: No changes, but will work harder to stay number one in the market.

WZTV: No changes, but then again, what is there to expect from a Sincrap station?

 

Memphis, TN:

WREG: They will sweep every newscast in 2008, for one sweeps period at the least. They might redo the entire set and go HD before WMC does, but that seems to be a long shot. Then again, since Tribune is going to be co-managing the station along with Local TV, that might not be such a long shot.

WMC: They will take new strides to improve their news product to better compete with WREG. There's no ruling out about the possibility of them going HD with their news next year, considering WOIO was the first Raycom station to do so, with others likely to follow.

WHBQ: They will get some decent new owners, that is, if News Corp doesn't change its mind about the station. They might consider starting a 10:00 newscast.

WPTY/WLMT: They will finally get rid of the Palmer News Package and get some better music.

[kjohnson 17]

St. Louis:

 

KTVI (FOX): has lost O&O status, so I would expect some talent shuffling, as reporters have to adjust to LocalTV's retirement and benefits packages; HD news at KTVI may happen by 2009;

 

KMOV (CBS): might flip the switch to HD, and learn a few things from KSDK who still has teething issues from their HD setup;

 

KSDK (NBC): (speculative) hopefully will continue to improve despite changes in policy at higher ups at Gannett, including the backpack journalist concept;

 

KPLR (CW): (speculative) might have the plug pulled on it's newscast, which is more likely with the LocalTV purchase of KTVI; News sharing might occur between KTVI and KPLR, but I wouldn't expect any major changes anytime soon;

 

KDNL (ABC): I don't forsee any major changes at 1215 Cole, although the station has a considerable head start on 2, 4, 5, & 11 in HD passthrough readiness; of note, the amount of paid programming on KDNL has slowly (read very slowly) decreased the past few months; here's hoping that trend continues.

[mbhfromthecity 0]

Well, since I'm extremely bored right now, I'll bite. 2008 is shaping up to be a very interesting year in Bay Area television.

 

At KTVU, there are rumblings of a few high-profile transitions. Former weekend and fill-in anchor Sara Sidner is leaving in a few days to join CNN as their New Delhi-based correspondent. Gasia Mikaelian, who took over Sidner's weekend anchor chair over the summer, was recently promoted to co-anchor the 5:00 p.m. newscast with Frank Somerville. Mikaelian will also solo-anchor the new 7:00 p.m. weeknight newscast on KICU. The "TV36 Bay Area News at 7:00" will debut sometime in the second half of January. There are also a few other high-profile rumors floating around the Bay Area media community surrounding some of KTVU's other leading talent. We'll probably see announcements of those coming out either just before or after February sweeps.

 

I have been hearing for some time that Dennis Richmond might retire soon. He is starting to show his age.

[NickMa 0]

AFA FMZ is concerned, they are pretty much set in that department. All they really need to do is flip a switch to convert to HD.

 

Speaking of which, WFMZ's HD conversation could happen within a few months. They have started to run promos for HD news coming in 2008 (no exact date yet). I guess they will convert before 10 (not that I'm surprised).

[scranton 23]

In accordance with the Trade Secrets policy, I can say that something may or may not be happening at WFMZ.

[PelicanGuy 117]

New Orleans

 

* WVUE will finally be freed from the evil grasps of the faltering Emmis Communications as they are sold to a new owner.

* WDSU shall broadcast in full power as their tower is fixed.

* WWL shall get a new set with more new graphics...and probably NOT get a new facility.

* A possible shake-up at WGNO.

[Sam Horn 78]

Speaking of which, WFMZ's HD conversation could happen within a few months. They have started to run promos for HD news coming in 2008 (no exact date yet). I guess they will convert before 10 (not that I'm surprised).

 

I thi[CENSORED DUE TO TRADE SECRETS POLICY, BUT POSTER WAS NODDING VIOLENTLY WHILE HE WROTE IT. WE JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW.]ut yeah, definitely.

[nbc9houston 22]

I predict that KPRC would discontinue using 2 in its branding. This is because after the digital switchovers, KPRC’s digital signal will remain on DT 35. With the exception for KUHT (TV-8/DT-9), the other Houston VHF television stations (KHOU-DT 31 and KTRK-DT 32) will move their digital signals back to thier respective VHF positions. I could see KPRC branding itself as "KPRC Local 12" (KPRC is on Comcast cable 12), "KPRC-DT: The Local Station" (modeled after WJXT's current slogan) or "Local 35".

 

BTW, KPRC isn't in HD yet.

[Ntropolis 596]

I predict that KPRC would discontinue using 2 in its branding. This is because after the digital switchovers, KPRC’s digital signal will remain on DT 35. With the exception for KUHT (TV-8/DT-9), the other Houston VHF television stations (KHOU-DT 31 and KTRK-DT 32) will move their digital signals back to thier respective VHF positions. I could see KPRC branding itself as "KPRC Local 12" (KPRC is on Comcast cable 12), "KPRC-DT: The Local Station" (modeled after WJXT's current slogan) or "Local 35".

 

BTW, KPRC isn't in HD yet.

 

It'll stay as 2.1, 2.2, etc. on digital TVs.

 

I'm sure KPRC has HD programming, HD news has nothing to do with that.

[Guest agmfox8]

4WWL Should have been in there new Building by now if Hurricane Katrina nevery came this way

[News24/7 3]

My thoughts? KRON to Completly redo themselfs into somthing we could never imagin, KNTV Goes HD with the HD O&O look, KPIX Goes HD/w slight gfx tweak since they are most likley HD ready, One Hellofalot of promos for "DTV" towards December+

[WXmanTim 88]

That's just dumb. As Nathan said...stations use PSIP to map the DT channels to their analog channels. I remember some WABC fanboys were worried that the station might rebrand to "ABC 45".

 

What's more, the government is requiring stations to maintain their current analog "position" after the change-over to DTV so that the change-over will be as smooth and seamless as possible. So even stations that are getting an "upgrade" (Say, an analog channel 42 with the DT on channel 12) must still brand as "channel 42" (if they use "channel 42" in their branding) and map the PSIP back to channel 42 after the change-over.