Monthly Archive for October, 2008

DeMarco Morgan Leaving WTVJ; Tom Llamas Unconfirmed

Author Alex on 10/30/2008 in Local Media and WTVJ Sale.

WTVJ anchor DeMarco Morgan was just hired at WNBC. What a small fish for such a big pool. Come December, DeMarco will work weekends anchoring the 6 & 11 P.M. news. A few weeks ago we reported that DeMarco Morgan and Tom Llamas were up in NY interviewing at WNBC. No word on if he was (or will be) hired as well. DeMarco denied that he was hired, even to fellow co-workers up to just a few days ago. This may be a smart move for both stations. With DeMarco gone, that leaves a spot open for the unused star at WTVJ – Joel Connable. According to rumors, Joel is supposed to be in a full time anchor spot by the end of this year. Now that would be a nice thing to see. Some real talent in the anchor seat. So now, it’s just a wait and see situation.

Update: According to management insiders at WTVJ, Joel Connable will be the new 7P.M. anchor, and possibly the new 6P.M. anchor.

28 Comments Tags: demarco morgan, joel connable, nbc6, Tom Llamas, wnbc, WTVJ.

Get Out While You Still Can…

Author Alex on 10/30/2008 in Local Media and departures.

That seems to be the trend at WTVJ. With the uncertainty of the economy, and the fate of WTVJ, lots of employees and even on air talent are looking to get out of NBC6. The list (that seems to add new names weekly) is as follows:

Liz Roldan, Managing Editor – Gone
Carrie Hernandez – Executive Producer – Leaving after Election Day for CNN
Mike Zimmer- Chief Photographer – Gone
Tom Llamas - Reporter – Although he denies it, we still have sources saying he’s joining Demarco at WNBC
Demarco Morgan – Anchor – Hired at WNBC
Chris Pena – Executive Producer – Left a few months ago

Is this a smart move? It’s still hard to say. Lets not forget, the sale still may not go through…

5 Comments Tags: carrie hernandez, chris pena, demarco morgan, mike zimmer, nbc6, Tom Llamas, WTVJ.

Danielle Knox Joins Atlanta CBS Affiliate

Author admin on 10/29/2008 in Local Media.

In mid 2007 Danielle Knox left WFOR on maternity leave never to return. Some insist she left on her own, others say she got bounced from the morning slot.

Knox recently joined WGCL CBS46, the CBS affiliate in Atlanta, GA as weekend evening anchor.

Danielle will continue to co-host ‘The Balancing Act’ on Lifetime every weekday. And we presume continue to run her own company Play Pretty Beauty, “a natural-based organic bath and body care company.”

10 Comments Tags: danielle knox, WFOR, wgcl.

A Tribute To Anne Pressly

Author Alex on 10/27/2008 in Media Headlines.

On the 5:00 p.m. KATV newscast Sunday, KATV President and General Manager Dale Nicholson paid tribute to Anne Pressly. May she rest in peace.

0 Comments Tags: Anne Pressly, Tribute, video.

MSNBC in HD: Spring 2009

Author Alex on 10/27/2008 in HD Transition and hdtv.

Thanks to The Futon Critic for this story:

” MSNBC will begin telecasting in 1080i High Definition in the spring of 2009. The announcement was made by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. This move comes as MSNBC marks the one-year anniversary of re-locating to NBC News world headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. As Election Day approaches, MSNBC is more competitive than it has ever been before. In the third quarter of 2008, MSNBC was the fastest growing channel in all of cable. MSNBC is delivering its largest primetime audience ever and the largest audience in total day (6a-6a) since the start of the War Iraq (25-54, Oct. 08 to date).

“As viewers are making the transition to HD more and more every day, we’re looking forward to delivering what they want: a full high definition experience on MSNBC,” said Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. “In addition to our live news programs, over 80% of our new documentaries will be presented in HD.”

Building on the NBC News HD infrastructure already in place, MSNBC launches 1080i High Definition utilizing two full HD capable control rooms, integrated HD graphics, and new HD commercial integration master control and distribution systems. Since October of 2007, MSNBC has been telecasting from two HD-ready studios. ”

Well.. About time!

3 Comments Tags: hd, msnbc.

Mike Who?

Author Alex on 10/23/2008 in Bloopers and Site News and Comments.

Mike.. Who? Kelly Ripa on her live show somehow can’t say the name Schmidt, and drops the S-bomb on air.

Well, Schmidt Happens!

1 Comment Tags: Kelly Ripa, Schmidt, Shit.

KATV Anchor Assaulted Dies From Injuries

Author Alex on 10/23/2008 in Media Headlines.

Anne Pressly, a news anchor for KATV (ABC 7 News) who anchored Channel 7’s Daybreak show, was assaulted in her home a few days ago and suffered serious wounds. A police spokesman initially said Pressly was “beaten and stabbed” and that her injuries were “life-threatening,” though later developments from an “inside source” hint that she was not stabbed, and that most injuries were caused by “blunt force trauma.”

“The initial police report said Pressly was unconscious when they arrived and that there were signs of broken bones, severe lacerations and possible internal injury. The officer who responded observed bleeding from her head. Further report indicates severe facial and head wounds. There’s speculation that she could have been asleep when attacked and unable to run or defend herself.”

WTVJ’s Carlos Vergara Joins RCN News in English

Author admin on 10/21/2008 in Local Media and departures.

Carlos Vergara has left WTVJ and is now part of the RCN News in English team as a reporter, or contributor as Brian Andrews referred to him.

RCN News Oct 21 am
by RCNNEWS

And here is his demo reel he posted on YouTube:

9 Comments Tags: brian andrews, carlos vergara, rcn news english, WTVJ.

Group Against WTVJ Sale Responds to Herald TV Critic Comments

Author admin on 10/21/2008 in Local Media and WTVJ Sale.

The Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which is trying to stop the WTVJ merger, has responded to what Herald TV Critic Glenn Garvin had to say about WTVJ merging with WPLG.

Garvin called those opposing the sale “a ragtag collection of WTVJ employees worried about layoffs, addled anti-corporate activists and cynical political opportunists”.

In the letter the coalition points to something interesting. When NBC was buying Telemundo in 2003 they argued to the FCC that the takeover should be approved because Telemundo competes in a separate market.

You can read the whole letter here

2 Comments Tags: WTVJ, WTVJ Sale.

WFOR Lets 3 Go; WBFS 33 Cuts; 10 to 20 11 Laid Off

Author admin on 10/17/2008 in Local Media.

Update 2: Ok, by most recent info 11 people were laid off. talent, director, truck op, promotions producer.

Update: there is a bit of a discrepancy but I’m told as many as 20 people have been pink slipped. In addition to the already mentioned laid off a photog and sales dept.

WFOR bosses have slashed both Jim & Jade in The Morning and My 33 News Weekend with Ileana Varela.

Jade Alexander, Ileana Varela and Dr. Sean Kenniff have been let go. A director, editor and a producer also.

Ileana Varela has been with WFOR since 1989 when the station was WCIX. Before that she was a reporter at WPLG.

Jade Alexander joined WFOR in 1999 as an entertainment reporter while working at the same time for Y-100’s morning show. Two years later she left the radio station and joined WFOR full time.

Dr Sean Kenniff became WFOR’s health specialist in 2001 after a stint on Survivor 2 1 gave him prominence. He also has weekly Miami Herald column.

85 Comments Tags: Ileana Varela, my33, sean keniff, wbfs, WFOR.