#04: The Delaware Valley over the past year.
There have been quite some changes happening here over the past year, including one that's still forthcoming.
There have been quite a lot of changes happening here over the past year in the Delaware Valley and I’ll tell you all about it.
First, at some point over the past year, WTXF canceled their weekend morning news. Good Day Philadelphia on weekends first ran from 7:00-9:00 a.m., and then eventually cut down to just one hour from 8:00-9:00 a.m., but at some point, WTXF has gone and canceled it. All they have left is the flagship weekday edition that’s still running from 4:00-10:00 a.m. In terms of competition, Allentown-based WFMZ is the ONLY one on at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays while KYW is the ONLY one on at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays.
Next, speaking of KYW, back on Tuesday, September 5th (not on Friday, September 1st like other sister stations with this effort), KYW debuted an hour-long weeknight newscast in true primetime at 8:00 p.m. on its newly-established Independent station WPSG, which has gone back to its roots and is calling themselves Philly 57 once again. All they did was move the 10:00 p.m. newscast, which had the previous News NOW format, and moved it two hours earlier to 8:00 p.m. CBS News Philadelphia at 8:00 on Philly 57 would be the ONLY true primetime newscast on in the market, but there’s another competitor that’ll debut their own next week. Details forthcoming.
Also worth mentioning is that KYW has also added an extra hour of its weekday morning newscast over on WPSG at 7:00 a.m. CBS News Philadelphia at 7:00 a.m. on Philly 57 now runs from 7:00-8:00 a.m. and competes against WPHL (CW/MNT), WTXF, and WFMZ in that hour.
Also, for the record, KYW is another one of those CBS O&Os that rebranded generally, and for newscasts… now its CBS Philadelphia and CBS News Philadelphia, respectively. When it happened, the Eyewitness News name (in which KYW originated back in 1965) went away yet again on KYW, this time after a 25-year run that started back in 1998.
Next, we move to the most dominant station in the market: WPVI. There, they added an hour-long weekday morning newscast at 10:00 a.m. back last week on Monday, September 11th. Channel 6 Action News Mornings at 10:00 a.m. is the ONLY newscast at that time in the market and is helmed by an all-female team: Alicia Vitarelli, Alyana Gomez, Nydia Han and Channel 6 AccuWeather Meteorologist Karen Rogers. With the exception of Gomez, all are longtime veterans of the station. Even though its only been on the air since last week, its bound to be #1 in the ratings quickly, just like all of their other local newscasts. Its one of three ABC O&Os (WTVD and a yet-to-be-named one that’s coming in a future edition) to add an hour at this time of the day.
Finally, the Allentown-based WFMZ where they’re planning to add a half-hour (unlike KYW’s news on WPSG) weeknight newscast in true primetime at 8:00 p.m. 69 News - LIVE at 8:00 will debut next week on Monday, September 25th. No word as to who’ll anchor the news or deliver the weather yet, but it will be followed by Inside Edition which is now airing on WFMZ at 8:30 p.m. In case you’re wondering, KYW airs the syndicated newsmagazine for “Center City” Philadelphia at 7:00 p.m.
WFMZ’s President and General Manager, Barry Fisher:
“We are excited to introduce the 8 PM newscast to our audience. In today's fast-paced world, people want access to news when it suits them best. With this new addition, we aim to meet the needs of our viewers and provide them with the information they need to stay informed.”
WFMZ’s Assistant G.M. and News Director, Brad Rinehart:
“The goal of this prime-time newscast is to highlight the best work of our staff of veteran reporters and photojournalists each weeknight. Viewers will get a comprehensive overview of the most compelling stories of the day.”
I’m stopping here for today but will be back at it tomorrow. Stay tuned! The finale is tomorrow with the Top 3 markets… Chicagoland, L.A. and the Southland, and of course, New York City and the Tri-State.