Monday, December 31, 2001

NY Post Article Confirms Anchor Switch Effective on January 7th, 2002

In today's NY Post, an article confirmed the new afternoon/evening anchor lineup since the day-time version of Weakest Link premieres a week from today reducing the amount of airtime for First News. The article reads:
In other local TV news, Ch. 2 is making some timeslot changes with its anchor teams, since it's slicing its 4 p.m. newscast in half to accommodate the 4 p.m. syndicated, half-hour version of "Weakest Link" hosted by George Gray.

Beginning Jan. 7, Angela Rae and Todd McDermott will now anchor from 4:30 to 5 p.m., with Ernie Anastos and Dana Tyler moving from 5 to 5:30 p.m. It will be Rae and McDermott again from 5:30 to 6 p.m., with Anastos and Tyler remaining at 6 p.m.
(Thanks to David for sending me this article!)

-Michael

Sunday, December 30, 2001

CBS 2 News Reporter to Recieve Post Under Bloomerberg Administration

Sunday, 12/30/01, 12:20pm CBS 2 News Reporter to Recieve Post Under Bloomerberg Administration
According to today's New York Daily News, CBS 2 News reporter Michael O'Looney will be New York City's new deputy police commissioner for public information. O'Looney's post will be closely connected with New York City's new mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and police commissioner, Raymond Kelly.

The article reads:
WCBS-TV/Channel 2 reporter Michael O'Looney will become the next deputy police commissioner for public information, sources said yesterday.

O'Looney will be the second prominent media face in recent years to work as the city police commissioner's chief spokesman. In the early years of the Guiliani administration, WNBC reporter John Miller, now a correspondent for ABC News, held the post under Commissioner Bill Bratton.

O'Looney has worked at WCBS since 1995, and reported for NY1 for three years before that.

O'Looney was tapped for the post by incoming Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, sources said, and will be Kelly's chief liaison with reporters.

Kelly and O'Looney have known each other for a decade, and Kelly attended O'Looney's 1996 wedding to TV reporter Annika Pergament, now a NY1 business anchorwoman.
Congratulations and Good Luck to Michael O'Looney on receiving this very important position!

-Michael

Thursday, December 27, 2001

WCBS-AM 880: New Radio Home of the New York Yankees

Deals were finalized this afternoon allowing WCBS-AM 880 to air New York Yankees games during the 2002 season. In early November, WCBS-TV became the new local television station to be home of the New York Yankees. Now, WCBS-AM has also received this programming for the radio. The contract between WCBS-AM and the New York Yankees lasts for the next five baseball seasons. Prior to WCBS-AM 880, the New York Yankees had a 21-year history on New York radio with WABC-AM 770. Congratulations to WCBS-AM 880 and the New York Yankees!

-Michael

CBS 2 News's Coverage of Mayor Giuliani's Farewell Speech

Today, CBS 2 News at Noon began half an hour earlier, interrupting the Price is Right, for a "CBS 2 News Special Report." Cindy Hsu and Michael Pomeranz gave a brief introduction and explanation of Mayor Giuliani's farewell speech today and then went live to St. Paul's Church just blocks from Ground Zero for the speech. After airing the 53-minute speech in its entirety, Marcia Kramer, CBS 2 News political correspondant, provided highlights of a one-on-one interview with the mayor's friend, Judith Nathan. CBS 2 News at Noon then ended at 12:30 after a check of the top stories with Mike and Cindy and the weather forecast.

-Michael

Wednesday, December 26, 2001

New CBS 2 Individual Anchor Promo: Janine D'Adamo

Last night on CBS 2 Nightcast, a new promo premiered about CBS 2 News This Morning meterologist Janine D'Adamo. The new promo is similar to the recent promos for CBS 2 News This Morning which promise, "A reliable return to business every morning," which also show Lisa Hill and Michael Pomeranz. However, this 30-second promo focuses on Janine and her morning forecast which "New York can rely on." Throughout the promo, Janine is at the weather maps and at the desk with Lisa and Michael. Also, at one point in the promo a graphic is displayed showing Janine and her name as would be used for an anchor intro. CBS 2 has not had anchor intros at the beginning of all of their newscasts in the past several months. However, this promo may be a sign of possible anchor intros to come after the possible changes scheduled to begin on January 7th.

-Michael

Sunday, December 23, 2001

CBSNEWYORK.com Design Spreads To LA

The KCBS-TV website explains a new look and location coming January 1st:
As of January 1, 2002, Channel2000.com will be taking on a new face and a new name as it officially becomes CBS2.com. For uninterrupted news coverage at your fingertips, please be sure to change your bookmarks to cbs2.com.
According to Kevin, the new design will be based on that of cbsnewyork.com. The KCBS website will have a large banner that will change depending on the page being viewed (for example: the main page's banner has the news team on it). To get your sneak peek of the new design, click here.

Friday, December 21, 2001

More Changes Coming To CBS 2 News?

David has informed me of new information that there may be an anchor change on January 7th. Rumors are circulating that Todd McDermott and Angela Rae will anchor the 4:30 and 5:30 newscasts, while Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos will anchor at 5:00 and 6:00. This is the first time in nearly four years that a different team will anchor the 5:30pm newscast.

Thursday, December 20, 2001

First News @ 4:30

Brian notified me that CBS 2 has updated their "Weakest Link" press release:
Immediately following, CBS 2 broadcasts FIRST NEWS @ 4:30 PM. Featuring a look at the day’s breaking news and headlines from the tri-state area and around the world, First News @ 4:30 PM remains the only local newscast broadcast in the time period.
It now seems as if the 4:00 newscast will be reduced to a half-hour and will begin at 4:30, on January 7th.

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

BREAKING NEWS: First News @ 4:00 To Be Canceled

The promo for "The Weakest Link" has been updated. It now says it will premiere at 4:00pm on January 7th, as opposed to 3:00pm as it had said earlier. This means that CBS 2 First News @ 4:00 will be canceled. Crossing Over will air at 3:00pm, just as it is right now. More on this story as soon as possible.

Thursday, December 13, 2001

Michael O'Looney To Report From Israel

Last week, CBS 2 News reporter Lou Young traveled to Israel and reported on the latest developments in the region, including the terrorist suicide bombings and the Israeli retaliation. The reports are titled "Assignment: Israel". CBS 2 continues their committment to the ongoing situation in the Middle East when CBS 2 News reporter Michael O'Looney will report from the area, starting tomorrow. Last month, O'Looney traveled through Europe for a series of special reports called "On The Terror Trail".

Wednesday, December 12, 2001

"Weakest Link" Coming To CBS 2

CBS 2 began airing promos today for "The Weakest Link", which will debut next month. The syndicated version of the popular NBC television game show will premiere Monday, January 7th at 3:00pm. The new daily version will be hosted by George Gray. And according to the commercial, "CBS 2 First News @ 4:00" will follow the program. This appears to disprove the rumors that the nearly-two-year-old 4:00 newscast will be canceled early next year. "Crossing Over with John Edward" currently airs in the 3:00pm slot, and could replace "Martha Stewart Living" at 9:00am. It has been reported that the syndicated version of ABC's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" game show will premiere on CBS 2 in September, along with Dr. Phil McGraw's upcoming syndicated talk show. No word yet on exactly what the new program schedule will look like.

Give What Matters 2 You

J.R. Whalen, Manager of the CBS 2 Information Center in Studio 43, tells me that the Info Center "has been very busy this week." They are helping viewers by giving suggestions for places to volunteer this holiday season. The "Give What Matters 2 You" campaign was launched by CBS 2 last week on its website and on-air. For a list of organizations looking for volunteers in the tri-state area, go to cbsnewyork.com. And tomorrow night on CBS 2 News at 5:00, more volunteering suggestions from the CBS 2 Information Center.

Friday, December 7, 2001

Give What Matters 2 You

Yesterday on their website, CBS 2 began a new holiday season campaign called "Give What Matters 2 You". The on-air commercials premiered today. "With their time, expertise, and compassion, New Yorkers are giving what matters most this holiday season and all year long. Check out the tri-state volunteer opportunities listed below and discover 'What Matters 2 You'. Brought to you by the The CBS 2 Information Center working in conjunction with the Mayor's Voluntary Action Center. Established in 1967, the Mayor's Voluntary Action Center provides leadership in mobilizing individuals and organizations - public, private and not-for-profit - to participate in volunteer activities that strengthen communities throughout New York City." The television ads feature CBS 2 News's full team of anchors. This is the first time in three years that CBS 2 has had some kind of holiday campaign. For more information, click on cbsnewyork.com.

Tuesday, December 4, 2001

Lou Young Reports From Tel Aviv

CBS 2 News reporter Lou Young has just arrived in Israel for his latest series of reports, "Assignment: Israel". Today at noon, he reported live on the phone from Tel Aviv, and he talked about the latest Israeli attacks against the Palestinians. He will report live once again on CBS 2 News at 5:00, and later in the evening on Nightcast at 11:00. For more information on "Assignment: Israel", log on to cbsnewyork.com.

Monday, December 3, 2001

Lou Young Travels To Israel Again

This past weekend, over two dozen Israelis were murdered in multiple suicide attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa. To cover the highest tensions in the Middle East in over a year, CBS 2 is sending reporter Lou Young to cover it. Young just returned from the area, including Jerusalem, where his month-long series, "Assignment: Mideast", took him. He will now once again provide live reports and the latest developments from the region beginning tomorrow afternoon. His latest series is called "Assignment: Israel".