What could possibly happen if you interview drunkies on South Beach five minutes before midnight on December 31st? Fox News reporter found that out when he asked a woman to say something to the nation. She did:
/hat tip @DSS828/
WPLG is taking Dr Oz out of the 4pm slot, and replacing the show with a newscast to directly compete with WSVN. On-air promos are already airing telling viewers Local 10 News at 4pm is set to begin airing January 13th.
And Channel 10 will have to work for their ratings. For one, WSVN has aired news at 4pm since September 2006 and seems to do well against Judge Judy even though its lead-ins aren’t A-list. Channel 10 also hasn’t done well historically at 5pm – that’s why a few years ago they replaced that newscast with Dr Phil, and decided to focus more on the 6pm show which always gained viewers and placed at or near the top in the ratings pretty regularly.
But that is not all.
The mandate “be more like 7” from PN bosslady Barr, and having a boss at the helm who cut his teeth at WSVN is bound to cause similarities between the two stations to crop up. And this one will be the most apparent one yet. The new news set.
We’ve always thought WPLG dropped the ball not taking advantage of the huge space where the current is. The one they have now is an off the shelf, pre-made design by FX Group (one of several) for clients who want to save money. And with a big, beautiful new facility it always felt like it was an afterthought. Or more like they ran out of money once the building was done.
SFLTV has learned that set designer FX Design Group is allegedly involved with the project scheduled to début soon-ish. We haven’t been able to pin down exact details, info is kind of all over the place but we’re pretty sure there would be a 2-story open newsroom view behind the anchors. Some tipsters characterized it as being “inspired” and a “copy” of the WSVN newsplex circa year 2000 (What? No neon lights?). While others say it would be closer to the set of Palm Beach ABC affiliate WPBF – created by FX Design Group.
Several sources tell SFLTV that last week Sunbeam Realty, the real estate company owned by WSVN owner Ed Ansin, lost the foreclosure lawsuit it filed against property developer Scott Greenwald, and his company Isle of Dreams LLC Sunbeam has been attempting to foreclose on the property right next door to WSVN studios since August of 2013 when it acquired the note from the bank.
We’re told immediately after the verdict the property owners moved to block any WSVN employees from parking on their property. Since the entrance to WSVN sits on their parcel they have also evicted the guard, and the guard-house is scheduled to be demolished.
WSVN is now left with about 90 parking spots altogether for its news trucks, and for employees. We’re told station management sent a memo out saying on-air talent can park on premises while an untold number of others will have to park at a parking lot across 79th street. No word on how many employees are affected by parking situation.
If Sunbeam has no legal moves left the property owner can pretty much do as he wants, and build whatever he wishes, within legal limits of course. Unless they make him an offer to buy the parcel but he just won the pissing match for a second time in a row so Sunbeam might have to pay a premium or do nothing and face whatever is going to go up next door.
Here’s something for those who like to speculate. When WTVJ was supposed to be sold to WPLG, TVJ insiders told SFLTV on at least two occasions they saw WSVN owner Ed Ansin at WTVJ studios in Miramar “taking a look at the facility”, as a couple of them put it. By that time Ansin had already filed a lawsuit against Scott Greenwald and Isle of Dreams LLC when the original plan for the site called for two high-rise condos to go up right next door to WSVN.
After an exhaustive three-month search WFOR/CBS have finally settled on a replacement for Josh Benson.
The station announced just a few minutes ago they hired Walter Makaula as the new CBS4 News This Morning co-anchor. He comes from San Diego’s Tribune-owned FOX 5 (KSWB) where he currently anchors weekend evenings. And if you thought his last name might seem interesting that’s because Makaula is a native of Hawaii. Prior to KSWB he anchored weekdays evenings at KHNL NBC, and before that reported for KGMB the CBS station in Honolulu.
“Walter is a multi-talented broadcaster who is equally skilled as a breaking news anchor and as a storyteller who reports on captivating human interest stories. We’re thrilled to have him join our team,” CBS4 Vice President/General Manager Adam Levy said.
Look for Walter Makaula on CBS4 News This Morning January 13, 2014
