More On The New CBS 2 Promos

As we reported earlier, CBS 2 began airing new promos last night. They include what looks like a virtual or computer-generated Information Center. Here are what some of these sound like:

1. "Breaking news. Live coverage. CBS 2 News brings you the big story. Across the street, or around the globe. Count on the CBS 2 Information Center.

2. "Your town. Your neighborhood. Your street. All the local news that matter to you. Count on the CBS 2 Information Center."

3. Ernie Anastos: "Your life revolves around the weather. When to travel. What to wear. How to plan ahead, and avoid surprises. Now, CBS 2 Weather Central makes your life a little easier." David Rogers: "With exclusive Future Cast technology that's more accurate than ever." Janine D'Adamo: "Storm Tracker coverage showing you where and when storms will strike." Craig Allen: "And now log on anytime to get a forecast personalized for your zip code." Ernie Anastos: "CBS 2 Weather Central, where weather coverage revolves around you."

4. "Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and consumer health news with the CBS 2 Health Watch team. Join Doctor Mike Rosen and Reporter Paul Moniz from the CBS 2 Information Center."

Victoria Mondesire Joins CBS 2 News

This evening on CBS 2 News at 5:00, Victoria Mondesire had an exclusive interview. Victoria joins CBS 2 News from News 12 The Bronx, where she was an anchor. She joined News 12 four years ago when the all-cable cable station debuted. At the end of her report this evening, she joined anchors Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos in the studio, who welcomed her to the station. Victoria said, "It's great to be a part of the CBS 2 family." She is a New York native, graduated college with a 4.00 grade point average, and has won numerous awards.

New Kind Of CBS 2 News Promos

Last night, CBS 2 premiered a new set of promos. The five-second Nightcast teases used slightly different graphics, including monitors on those graphics. A promo for the Information Center and Nightcast (information thanks to Kevin) also use this new kind of style. We expect to have more information, and even pictures, later this evening.

Storm Tracker Premieres On CBS 2 News

This afternoon and evening on CBS 2 News, Meteorologists Janine D'Adamo and David Rogers showed off the station's newest weather tool: Storm Tracker. This appears to be a new mapping system which allows meteorologists to zoom in and out. This gives them a closer look at the radar and the type of precipitation falling in specific regions in the tri-state area. Both David and Janine said that we'll be seeing a lot of Storm Tracker in the coming days as winter weather invades the viewing area once again.

CBSNEWYORK.com Gets An Update

Yesterday, cbsnewyork.com was slightly updated with darker shades of blue for the headline bars, and more top stories were included on the main page. This evening, the website went a bit further with more changes, including a new banner on top and a more informative weather section. The banner now has a much larger CBS 2 Information Network logo on the top-left, and an image of Studio 43 and the CBS 2 Information Center. "CBS 2 Weather Central" is the title of the updated weather page, complete with new graphics and logos. A banner promotes "Storm Tracker", "Neighborhood Forecast", and "Future Cast". Visitors can now visit the website and find the forecast for their own neigborhoods. This is the latest as CBS 2 News continues its expanded weather coverage. No word yet if the Weather Central will make its way on-air.

Press Release: CBS 2 Establishes Middle East Bureau In Jerusalem

Beginning next month, CBS 2 will set up a new bureau in Jerusalem, Israel. This comes after reporter Lou Young and former reporter Michael O'Looney have reported on the crisis from the Middle East. CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier will report daily for CBS 2 News as the bureau chief.

CBS 2 News Director Joel Cheatwood says:

The events taking place in the Middle East have an enormous impact on the tri-state area and the people who live here. Many people in our area have family and friends who live in or around the Mideast, while others reside there part-time. Needless-to-say, there is a keen interest in the issues and events impacting the region. It is truly local news to the tri-state area. We are thrilled to have a reporter the caliber of Kimberly Dozier to lead our Middle East bureau. Over the years, she has reported from many of the world’s hot spots, and has been a featured contributor to some of the world’s top news organizations, risking her own safety to keep viewers informed.

To read the press release, click here.

Different Open For Nightcast

Earlier this week, Nightcast began using a new open, which had been used as a rejoin for about eleven months. Nightcast previews the newscast during the credits of the previous CBS primetime program, and then say "Nightcast, in thirty seconds" (as they always have). Then after the short break, they preview one of the upcoming stories, and the "CBS 2 Nightcast" logo flies in from the right. Then the old rejoin is used as the open: "You're watching Nightcast, part of the CBS 2 Information Network."
(Thanks to "Bob" and Teddy for alerting me to this!)

New 5:00 Talent Open

First came the 6:00 talent open, now here's one for the 5:00 newscast. This evening while going into the second commercial break at 5:20, CBS 2 played the newest talent open, which was very similar to the 6:00 version. It sounds like there is a new female announcer, who said, "You're watching CBS 2 News at Five, with Ernie Anastos, Dana Tyler, Brett Haber's sports, and weather with David Rogers and Janine D'Adamo." The 6:00 talent open has not aired since it premiered Monday, and to my knowledge no other newscast has received a new open with the anchors.

Double Team Weather on Nightcast

It's now official. A promo stating that David Rogers and Janine D'Adamo will do "double team weather" began airing this evening. Ira Joe Fisher now does the weather for the morning and noon broadcasts, Janine solos at 4:30, and teams up with David at 5, 6, and 11 (David Rogers does the "No Nonsense Weather" in the 5:30 half hour). Just last week the weather lineup was changed to include the team weather, and it has been changed once again just nine days later.

Ira Joe Fisher At Noon

There have been rumors circulating in the past few days that Ira Joe Fisher would once again join CBS 2 News at Noon. The rumors also indicate that Janine D'Adamo would "double team" with David Rogers on Nightcast (she would keep her positions at 4:30, 5:00, and 6:00). Ira Joe Fisher did the weather today at noon, with no mention of "filling-in" for Janine. So far there is no confirmation that a change has taken place on CBS 2's highest rated newscast, but it appears that it may have started today. One last note: Just before 12:30 today, a short double team weather promo aired, and it only said 5:00 and 6:00 on it. Stay tuned!

Lou Young Travels To Israel Again

A gunman opened fire today in Jerusalem injuring dozens before he was shot and killed by police. This continues sixteen months of violence and bloodshed between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It was announced today at noon that Lou Young is headed to Israel once again, and he will begin live reports from the area once he lands. This will be Lou Young's third assignment to the Middle East in as many months.

CBS 2 Fulfills Dr. King's Dream

Today, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is the national observance of the late civil rights activist's birthday. And as CBS 2 has done for so many years, "Fulfilling The Dream" has kicked off. In this television campaign, WCBS-TV honors people, individuals and organizations, that give back to their communities. This will air through February, and CBS 2 will end the series with a program which will greater introduce the viewers to the special people (last year's show aired on Friday, March 2nd at 7pm).

New 6:00 Talent Open

To reflect the recent addition of Double Team Weather coverage, CBS 2 News at 6:00 aired a new talent open at 6:14 today. The open, which aired after the second commercial break, begins and ends with the CBS 2 Information Network logo, and shows various pictures of the anchors. It's very similar to the talent opens which aired for a few months last year beginning in April. The announcer's voice over was this: "You're watching CBS 2 News at Six, with Ernie Anastos, Dana Tyler, Warner Wolf's sports, and weather with David Rogers and Janine D'Adamo." The video clips of the anchors was the same as the former open, except Janine, who was shown talking to the anchors at the desk. It's very likely that the other newscasts will begin sporting these new opens in the near future.

Outdated Morning Promo Still On The Air

The CBS 2 weather team lineup was altered last week, with Ira Joe Fisher moving to the morning newscast. A promo for CBS 2 News This Morning, which includes Janine D'Adamo, aired a few times today. It would probably be best for CBS 2 if it was slightly updated to replace Janine with Ira. (When this promo first premiered in late September, the title of the newscast was originally stated as "The CBS 2 Morning News", but a few days after we reported that the name was inaccurate, the promo was updated and called it "CBS 2 News This Morning".)

CBS 2 "Storm Watch" Coverage

CBS 2 Weekend News had special storm coverage last night, beginning at 6:06 (delayed a few minutes by NCAA Basketball). Vince DeMentri and Alexis Christoforous (who was filling in for Kirstin Cole) anchored. Meteorologist Craig Allen was in the studio with the forecast, and Chief Meteorologist David Rogers was outside on the roof on the CBS Broadcast Center. Whitney Casey reported on driving safety from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Scott Rapoport was in Chelsea following the city's preparedness. Craig Allen also appeared on the CBS Evening News, talking about the area's first major snowstorm of the season. Coverage continued this morning with a special hour of news at 7:00, and then again with a half-hour edition of CBS 2 News at 11:30, with Michael Pomeranz and Cindy Hsu. Aimee Nuzzo was in New Jersey, Paul Fleuranges was on Long Island, and Marcella Palmer was in the City. Ira Joe Fisher was in the studio with the forecast, and Meteorologist Janine D'Adamo was on their West Side roof reporting on the melting snow. Debbie DuHaine had the CBS 2 Road Watch report. More CBS 2 News coverage tonight at 6:30.

CBS 2 Storm Watch

Winter weather could again hit the tri-state area this weekend, with over six inches of accumulation expected for parts of the region. The double team of meteorologists, David Rogers and Janine D'Adamo, were on hand with the forecast on CBS 2 News at 5:00 and at 6:00. David said "team weather [is] in effect for the next forty-eight hours." Judging from the latest promo, this team of meteorologists will consist of David Rogers and Craig Allen. The storm is expected to begin in the early afternoon tomorrow and last thoughout the night. For updated reports, visit Craig Allen's column and stay with the CBS 2 Information Network.

CBS 2 Coverage Of The Winter Weather

As winter weather threatened the tri-state area for the second time this season, CBS 2 News This Morning provided extensive coverage. Ira Joe Fisher handled the forecast, Scott Sumner was in the Weather Center with local information, and Rachel Lutzker updated the viewers on the traffic situation. Once again, a ticker kept viewers informed with school delays and cancellations. J.R. Whalen and the CBS 2 Information Center also reported on these delays. Viewers were able to reach the Information Center by calling 1-866-INFO-TWO. Whenever winter weather and icy roads can affect your day, stay with the CBS 2 Information Network and the CBS 2 Information Center.

CBS 2 Press Release: Penny Crone To Join CBS 2

It's official: award winning reporter Penny Crone will join CBS 2 News on March 1st. For the past thirteen years, Crone has been a reporter for WNYW-TV/FOX 5, and is known for her coverage of the FDNY and NYPD. News Director Joel Cheatwood says, "Penny is a New York icon. She is an outstanding journalist and has had a storied career here in New York. Her bold personality and unique style will be a strong asset for the station. We are thrilled to welcome Penny to WCBS." For more information, read the CBS 2 Press Release.
(Thanks to Keisean for sending me this press release!)

Former CBS 2 News Reporter Helps End Hostage Situation

A detective was held at gunpoint overnight for over three hours at the 19th Precinct House. The man then demanded to speak with a reporter. That's when Michael O'Looney, who is now the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information for the Police Department, became involved. O'Looney, who served as a general assignment reporter for CBS 2 News from 1995 until the end of 2001, says, "He just wanted to tell me his story. He thought if he was able to tell somebody his whole story that some of his problems would go away." The standoff ended at around 3:30 in the morning with no one seriously injured.

CBS 2 "Double Team Weather"

Today marked the beginning of the changes in the weather lineup and coverage on CBS 2 News. Ira Joe Fisher is the new weatherman for CBS 2 News This Morning, trading positions with Janine D'Adamo, who is now the meteorologist for CBS 2 News at Noon and First News @ 4:30.

At 5:10, during the teases before the break, David Rogers mentioned, "We'll have your team weather..." Then seven minutes later, Dana Tyler explained that CBS 2 now has a "double team of meteorologists," which consists of David Rogers at the chroma key wall and Janine D'Adamo in the Weather Center. After about a minute, David tossed it over to Janine, who had the forecast temperatures and conditions for three areas: Northwest Jersey, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. Then Janine sent it back to David with the more general forecast for tonight, tomorrow, and the next five days. The weather report was about three minutes long, and a similar procedure was followed at 6:17. The 5:48 report was "No Nonsense Weather", the same way it has been for over a year. Janine D'Adamo's role in the 5:00 and 6:00 newscasts was similar to the "Zone Weather", which was briefly used last Monday during the snow storm. It is also similar to the way the forecast was done in May, 1997, when "SkyTrak2" first debuted.

Motivating Yourself 2 Fitness with J.R. Whalen

J.R. Whalen of the CBS 2 Information Center writes to tell us of a new series of segments on CBS 2 News This Morning, which premiered this morning.

For the next 6 Fridays, CBS 2 will be following me on a rigorous fitness and workout program. It will be tied in with a company called Exude, based in NY City, that is fitness center. Viewers will learn what the most common mistakes are when people go to the gym and/or work with a trainer, and the easiest ways to correct those mistakes.

For more information, visit www.cbsnewyork.com.

"Weak" Ratings at 4pm; First News @ 4:30 to be Canceled?

The Daily News reports that airing the syndicated version of "The Weakest Link" at 4:00pm had negative results on the ratings. It loses 21% of "Crossing Over"'s viewership, and has a 42% less audience than "First News @ 4:00" had in November. The newspaper also reports that the syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" will air back-to-back with Weakest Link this fall, which appears to mean that "First News @ 4:30" is next on the line to be canceled.

Penny Crone To Join CBS 2 News

According to Broadcasting & Cable, Penny Crone is expected to join CBS 2 News by March. She is currently a reporter at WNYW/FOX5 here in New York, and will depart later this week. More news on this developing story as it becomes available.
(Thanks to Brian for sending this story to me!)

New "CBS 2 Investigates" Promo

CBS 2 began airing an updated version of the "CBS 2 Investigates" promo. Among the changes are new colors, new stories, and a different logo, which is now on a slant. Also added in the 30-second version is another reporter: John Slattery. He now joins investigative reporters Marcia Kramer, Vince DeMentri, and Lou Young. However, Slattery is not included in the 15-second version. "If it's happening out there, we'll uncover it here."

The New Newscasts

Today as CBS 2 aired "The Weakest Link" at 4:00, the debut of "CBS 2 First News @ 4:30" followed. Angela Rae and Todd McDermott anchored this shortened version of the old "First News @ 4:00". Top stories in the beginning, as always, followed by more news, and Robyn Carter's entertainment report at 4:53. Then Angela and Todd ended the newscast, and went to Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos with a preview of CBS 2 News at 5:00. Brett Haber had the sports report at 5:14, and David Rogers had the forecast at 5:17. Dana Tyler previewed CBS 2 News at 6:00 at 5:19. Tony Tantillo came on at 5:22 with his "Top 5 @ 5:00" (originally "Top 4 at 4:00" since April, and "Top 5 at 5:00" previous to that). This newscast ended at 5:24, with Todd and Angela previewing the next half hour of the news. After a two-and-a-half-minute break, CBS 2 News at 5:30 opened. "No Nonsense Weather" with David Rogers came on shortly after the half-way point, as it has for over a year now. And CBS 2 News at 6:00 stayed relatively unchanged.

"Storm Watch" Coverage

As the first major snow storm of the season hit the tri-state area, CBS 2 News had special team coverage throughout the day. Cindy Hsu (filling-in for Michael Pomeranz) and Lisa Hill anchored this morning, with Meteorologist Janine D'Adamo tracking the storm. Chris Silveri, normally an off-camera meteorologist, was in the CBS 2 Weather Center updating the snowfall accumulation totals. Don Piccin (in for Rachel Lutzker) had the latest on the traffic. Marcella Palmer was live in Denville, and Rose Walia reported from Westchester. Manager J.R. Whalen explains what the Information Center did:

This morning, the CBS 2 Information Center reported on school closings and delayed openings in the viewing area throughout "CBS 2 News This Morning." Viewers and callers quickly realized that the Information Center, an exclusive service of CBS 2, was the best source of up to date information about the status of their local school district. Additionally, we fielded several calls from New York City residents who had trouble with heat and hot water service. They were advised of city regulations and were advised of hotline phone numbers to call to report problems with service.

Later this afternoon and evening, Chief Meteorologist David Rogers had the forecast for the entire area, and Scott Sumner (who is also usually an off-camera meteorologist) was in the Weather Center with storm totals. He also debuted "Zone Weather", temperatures and conditions for specific areas in the tri-state (including the Interior and Northwest regions). Morry Alter was in Denville, and Whitney Casey was in Mt. Kisco.

Weather Changes

It now appears that despite new promos, Janine D'Adamo will not start on "CBS 2 First News @ 4:30" until next Monday. And according to The New York Daily News (Thanks Michael!) and The New York Post, Janine will not do the weather with David Rogers from 5:00-6:30pm, but rather she will do "weather stories" (possibly either reporting from outside or from the Weather Center, similar to today).

First News at 4:30 Promo, More Questions Than Answers

According to Michael, a regular contributor to this website, a commercial for "CBS 2 First News @ 4:30" premiered last night during Nightcast.

It's similar to the old CBS 2 News This Morning promo with Lisa, Mike, and Janine. It begins describing the 4:30 newscast, a shot of Angela delivering breaking news, later a shot of Janine (new 4:30 meterologist) at the weather maps, and later a shot of Todd delivering a story about the war.

This seems to create more questions once again, as the new weather changes aren't supposed to take effect until January 14th. And last night in the 4:00 hour, a CBS 2 News This Morning promo ran, which includes Janine D'Adamo. While it would seem to be easier to make both changes at once, it is currently unknown as to if this will happen based on the press release and this new promo.

Weather Changes Pushed Back Another Week

An updated Press Release now says the new weather anchor lineups will start Monday, January 14th. That's a week later than it had previously stated this afternoon. It appears that CBS 2 News likes to do these types of changes in phases, as it has done for the past few years. No other information was added to this Press Release, leaving the sub-headline "David Rogers and Janine D’Adamo Co-Anchor Afternoon Weather Reports" ambiguous in meaning. Also, "Increased Weather Coverage" has not yet been explained, leaving us to wonder what CBS 2 is ready to do. As always, stay tuned!

CBS 2 Announces More Lineup Changes

According to a CBS 2 Press Release, there will be some changes to the lineups starting Monday. The changes that we've been reporting for a few weeks have been confirmed by the station: Angela Rae and Todd McDermott at 4:30 and 5:30, and Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos at 5:00 and 6:00. But additional changes are also coming in the weather department. Janine D'Adamo and Ira Joe Fisher will "swap" positions, once again placing Ira in the mornings. The information does not make it clear as to who exactly will do the 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 weather reports. The release also promised "increased weather coverage", with News Director Joel Cheatwood quoted as saying, "Accurate and timely weather information plays a vital role in our everyday lives. These changes will afford WCBS’s talented weather team the opportunity to deliver the most extensive and complete coverage."

As for the change to "First News @ 4:30", the website has changed most mentions of "First News @ 4:00" to the new title, including an updated image here.
(Thanks to Brian for informing me of the press release!)

Scott Rapoport Joins The CBS 2 News Team

A new face reported on CBS 2 News this evening. His name is Scott Rapoport. Information is currently very limited, but we'll have more on the latest addition to the CBS 2 News team of reporters as soon as possible.

CBS 2 New Year's Eve and Inauguration of Mayor Bloomberg Coverage

Last night's Nightcast, the final CBS 2 newscast of 2001, provided CBS 2 viewers of full coverage of the incoming year, 2002, and the inauguration of New York City's 108th mayor, Michael Bloomberg. Vince DeMentri and Hazel Sanchez were live in Times Square with reports and an interview with former NYC mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Lou Young was live at the mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion. Also, Todd McDermott was in-studio with more coverage of the new year and new mayor. Nightcast ended at its regular time, after showing highlights of New Year's festivities all around the world. At 11:55, Ernie Anastos and Angela Rae re-welcomed viewers to CBS 2 News coverage. They provided live coverage from Times Square as 2001 ended and 2002 began. One minute after midnight, CBS 2 News showed the inauguartion of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also in Times Square. The live Times Square coverage was followed by brief commentaries from Ernie and Angela reflecting on the past year and the new mayor. CBS 2 News coverage ended after a final report from Lou Young at approximately 12:10.

-Michael