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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

"Travel With 2" Recap

Throughout the week, CBS 2 used the Information Center for "Travel With 2," a segment for viewers to call in with their travel questions. Questions were also accepted via e-mail at www.cbsnewyork.com. Robert Sinclair, Jr. and other representatives from The Automobile Club of New York (the local AAA chapter) joined J.R. Whalen and the rest of the Info Center team.

More Information On "Travel With 2"

J.R. Whalen, Manager of the CBS 2 Information Center, tells us the following

All this week, CBS2 viewers can learn more about the best ways to travel this holiday season and learn where to expect delays caused by increased traffic and security precautions. Along with members of the CBS2 Information Center, Representatives from AAA (the Automobile Association of America) will be on hand in the CBS2 Information Center to answer questions and alleviate viewers' uncertainties. Viewers have responded very positively to the CBS2 Information Center and have encouraged us to broaden the scope of topics to cover.

These AAA Representatives will be in the Information Center all week long during CBS 2 News This Morning, Monday through Wednesday on the 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 newscasts, and at Noon on Wednesday.

"Travel With 2" This Holiday Week

The CBS 2 Information Center will again be at work this week, but for much longer than in the past. It appears that CBS 2 will be taking calls and e-mails throughout the week answering travel questions. The segment will be called "Travel With 2," and will also operate in the mornings. The Info Center has taken viewers' phone calls and e-mails seven times in the past: six times with doctors and other experts answering questions about Antrax, and this past Wednesday they had employment answers for people looking for a new job (many of the callers had been displaced and laid-off due to the recent tragedies in New York). Send your e-mails to the Info Center via the "Instant Access" webpage located here or by calling 1-866-INFO-TWO. More information on this segment later this week.

Doctors Taking Your Questions Again

This evening on CBS 2 News, doctors were once again on hand to take viewers' questions via the phones, and also questions from cbsnewyork.com. Dr. Eric Braverman (PATH Medican), Dr. Jordan Glaser (Staten Island University Hospital), and Dr. Robert Labinson (St. Clare's Hospital) joined anchors Ernie Anastos and Angela Rae in the CBS 2 Information Center. The phone line, 1-866-INFO-TWO, was open until 6:30pm.

Ask The Doctors on CBS 2

CBS 2 once again invited doctors into the Information Center in Studio 43 to take phone calls from viewers. At 4:00, Cindy Hsu asked the team of doctors (Dr. Eric Braverman from PATH Medical and Dr. Robert Crupi from Flushing Hospital) about what kinds of questions they were getting. Todd McDermott talked with the two doctors on CBS 2 News at 5:00. As always, the number to call was 1-866-INFO-TWO, and the phone lines were open until 6:30pm.

Anthrax Answers From The Doctors At CBS 2

The CBS 2 Information Center had another round of "Ask The Doctors" this evening on its 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 newscasts. This is the third time CBS 2 has had a team of four professionals to take viewers' questions. The panel today included Dr. Tucker Woods (Long Island College Hospital), Dr. Erika Schwartz (Internal Medicine; she was in the Info Center on October 19th), Professor Thomas Johnson (Long Island University), and Dr. Darrell Looney (Brookdale Hospital). The hotline to call was 1-866-INFO-TWO, or 1-866-4636-896. Kirstin Cole talked to the doctors about what viewers were asking them, and what their responses were. The phone lines closed at 6:30pm.

"Ask The Doctors" About Anthrax

As we reported earlier this afternoon, CBS 2 brought doctors back into the Information Center to take calls from viewers. The four doctors were: Dr. Robert Crupi (Flushing Hospital Medical Center), Dr. Seymour Thomas (St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center), Dr. Steven Miller (New York Presbyterian; he was in the Info Center last Friday), and CBS 2's own Dr. Michael Rosen. Kirstin Cole debriefed the doctors on the 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 newscasts. The response was again said to be great, which often caused the lines to be busy. The phone line, 1-866-INFO-TWO, was open until 6:30pm.

More on the CBS 2 Information Center

As you may recall, last Friday CBS 2 used the Information Center for the first time during the late afternoon newscasts. J.R. Whalen, Manager of the CBS 2 Information Center, tells me, "Viewers were more than willing to pose questions to our medical experts. We were very pleased with the response; the CBS2 Information Center is designed to enhance our viewers' CBS2 experience and we believe it did just that. Look for more call-in segments in the near future." He also tells me that there will be more doctors today taking viewers' phone calls and questions.

CBS 2 Information Center with Anthrax Answers

CBS 2 made its first major use of the Information Center today on its newscasts at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00. At 4:08, Kirstin Cole was in the "Info Center" (behind the news desk in Studio 43) explaining that a team of doctors would be there to take viewers' questions. The phone number is 1-866-INFO-TWO, or 1-866-4636-896. At 4:42, Kirstin began asking the doctors some questions. She said that the phones "have gone wild" and the response was "amazing." The team of four doctors were Dr. Steven Miller (New York Presbyterian Hospital), Dr. Erika Schwartz (Trauma Specialist), Dr. Ian Tang (St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers), and Dr. Sheldon Landesman (Brookdale Hospital). The phone lines are open until 7:00pm.

The CBS 2 Information Center

J.R. Whalen, manager of the CBS 2 Information Center, tells me some interesting information. Most of the people in the CBS 2 Information Center are not volunteers, rather they are a diverse mix of researchers. I was also told, "On the first day, Michael Pomeranz tried to 'stump the Info Center' twice during commercial breaks, asking us trivia questions such as the square footage of work space inside the Pentagon (3.7 million sq. ft.) and the name given to the pads seen on the underside of a dog's foot (they're called pads.) The Info Center research staff had answers for each question for him within 60 seconds. You may see instances like this on the air in the future." I expect that we will see more of the Information Center soon.

Nightcast in Studio 43

"Nightcast" began last night as usual: with a preview during the previous show's credits, then a 30-second commercial break. The open, which now has the new CBS 2 Information Network graphic, is now worded like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network. Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is Nightcast." The open had called it "CBS 2 Nightcast" since late April. It now appears as if they've changed the title back to "Nightcast". This open is now different than the other new opens that premiered yesterday because it does not show the anchors in the second half (they kept the animation for the open).

Then Ernie Anastos and Angela Rae were at the plasma screens with the top story. Back at the news desk, they added an HDTV plasma screen on the right next to Ernie (possibly from Studio 59A or 59B). David Rogers previewed the weather standing by the large video wall (which shows nighttime scenes of the city). And after a story about PowerBall winners, Angela Rae said, "Well, we have hit the jackpot ourselves here at the CBS 2 Information Network. Look at us! We're in new digs!" Angela, Ernie, and David talked about the Information Center behind them, and welcomed viewers to their new home. Angela added, "And there's just more to come!"

Studio 43's First Day

All of the newscasts this evening at 4:00, 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 used the new type of opening with the new CBS 2 Information Network animation and the anchors at the desk. At 4:08, a new CBS 2 First News at 4:00 anchor open was used: "You're watching CBS 2 First News at Four, with Dana Tyler, Ernie Anastos, Cindy Hsu, and Ira Joe Fisher's forecast." At 4:13 and 4:43, Cindy Hsu was standing by the plasma screens with the Information Network update. At 4:21, Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos talked about the new studio, technology, and the people working in the Information Center behind them. Ira Joe Fisher added that they "have the best crew." At 4:38, Tony Tantillo had the "Top Four at 4" on the left side of the studio near the plasma screens (he used the table from The Saturday Early Show's temporary studio).

At 4:57, Angela Rae and Todd McDermott were at the plasma screens right after the top story and the open for CBS 2 News at 5:00. At 5:21, Todd, Angela, and David Rogers introduced the new studio and said that we're going to meet some of the Information Center volunteers later this week. And Angela added, "We're going to keep some of it [the changes] under the hat." Then at 5:22, the 5:00 anchor opening played but was modified so that the new CBS 2 Information Network graphic was in the beginning and the end.

At 5:58, CBS 2 News at 6:00 opened with the top story, the open, and the anchors at the desk (same as what happened today at Noon). Alexis Christoforous was in the Information Center with the CBS.MarketWatch.com report. Nightcast is coming up tonight at 11:00, and we'll have details on that tomorrow morning.

CBS 2 News At Noon in Studio 43

Today CBS 2 News at Noon began with the top stories at 11:58, but the anchors weren't standing on the left of the desk this time. Then they had the open, with the CBS 2 Information Network logo and a sweeping shot of Michael Pomeranz and Cindy Hsu at the desk ("Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 News at Noon"). Lou Young, standing by the plasma screens on the left, reported on a developing story in Iraq. At 12:08, there was a new CBS HealthWatch animation, and Cindy was standing by the screens. A minute later, Alexis Christoforous joined her and did the CBS.MarketWatch.com report from inside the studio (she usually reports from the CBS.MarketWatch.com Newsroom at noon). Then at 12:17, Dana Tyler had a preview of CBS 2 First News at 4:00 "live in the Information Center". Then they went to Todd McDermott in the CBS 2 Newsroom who previewed CBS 2 News at 5:00, including Marcia Kramer's exclusive interview with Senator Hillary Clinton. More snapshots coming later this week!

CBS 2 News This Morning in Studio 43

Today's the big day! CBS 2 News This Morning started in Studio 43 this morning at 5:00. Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill previewed the newscast on the left of the news desk near four monitors with the "CBS 2 Information Network" and the "CBS 2 News This Morning" logos. They also welcomed viewers to their new studio at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan. The open of the show was changed, with a new Information Network animation. Then they showed Michael and Lisa walking over to the desk with the "CBS 2 News This Morning" logo on the bottom. The open went like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network... Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 News This Morning." Here's a look at other changes that were made this morning:

Studio 43
This new studio, which we have been waiting for since May, finally came! It's a great studio with a news desk, an "Information Center" newsroom behind it, and an interview area. There are monitors and CBS 2 logos everywhere. Some monitors have views of New York City (nighttime scenes in the 5:00 hour, daytime views in the 6:00 hour). And the lighting creates "CBS 2 Information Network" and "CBS 2 Info Center" logos on the floor. Sweeping camera angles of the studio were shown often right before commercial breaks. And Janine D'Adamo mentioned that they now use a green chroma-key screen, instead of blue, so "I can wear blue now!"

CBS 2 Info Bar
Michael and Lisa introduced the "Info Bar" at 5:21. It's a black bar at the bottom of the screen (similar to the Sports Scoreboard) with news, weather, stocks, and sports. It's also where the current temperature is located (the "2" logo now has only the time above it). They said that it's an improvement of the CBS 2 Info Box, which used to appear on the bottom-left of the screen. It popped-up saying "INFOBOX: THIS SPACE FOR RENT".

Pet Pix and Wake-Up Call
After her weather report at 5:14, Janine D'Adamo introduced a new segment on CBS 2 News This Morning, "Pet Pix". As Brian reported earlier, CBS 2 will show viewers' digital pictures of their pets in the morning. This morning it was just some producers' pets used. And at 6:45, Janine did the "Wake-Up Call". CBS 2 News at Noon anchor Cindy Hsu was the person who was called this morning! Janine quizzed her to see how well she knew her co-anchors: Which anchor, Michael or Lisa, was a photographer before they anchored? Cindy correctly answered that it was Lisa. Janine also said that they may have contests and giveaways in the future.

Other important notes are that Susan McGinnis did the CBS MarketWatch report only once, at 5:44. This is probably because she had to go to Fifth Avenue to The Early Show's studio for her 7:20 report. The "Inside The Daily News" animation was changed to use the new Information Network graphic. There is also a new full screen for the morning newscast. The "Traffic And Weather on the 2's" animation was changed. And "Rock N Roll History", which was added to the newscast two months ago, has disappeared. Here are some snapshots, courtesy of Kevin:

More Info on Information Center Volunteer Positions

CBSNEWYORK.com's Jobs Section has more information on the volunteer positions available at the new CBS 2 Information Center, which is located in CBS 2's upcoming Studio 43. Anyone interested can e-mail CBS 2 with "CBS 2 Information Center" in the subject line (Be sure to include your name, number, and qualifications in the e-mail).

- Position: Information Center Volunteers Wanted (posted 8/9/01)
CBS 2 is seeking volunteers for several positions as researchers in a new interactive component of the CBS 2 Information Network.
- Responsibilities: You'll be a part of a new and exciting way for viewers to interact with our news department through phone, Internet and e-mail communication. This will be a hands-on role in providing a voice for our viewers who contact the station with questions about issues and current events. Be in the thick of the action during a live newscast and do something great for the community. Plus, it's a great way to learn the business of television news and grow with the CBS 2 family.
- Preferred skills: Experience with the Internet, familiarity with CBS 2 news programming and knowledge of current events. We work in a fast-paced environment and are looking for people who are ready for the challenge.

-Brian