Breakfast With "T"

At the end of CBS 2 News This Morning, Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill quickly talked about a new segment in the morning. Starting tomorrow, "Breakfast With 'T'" will be with The Fresh Grocer, Tony Tantillo. He appears three times a week on CBS 2 First News at 4:00, and he'll now appear in the morning. He will show viewers how to prepare healthy breakfasts. "Eat Fresh And Stay Healthy."

CROSSING OVER WITH JOHN EDWARD Debut a Ratings Success

A CBS 2 Press Release:

CROSSING OVER WITH JOHN EDWARD, featuring renowned physic medium John Edward, debuted on CBS 2 on Monday, Aug. 27 (3:00-4:00 PM, ET) with a 2.0/5 average household rating/share, a marked increase of 186% over what the time period averaged for the prior four weeks (7/30-8/24).

The success of CROSSING OVER WITH JOHN EDWARD propelled CBS 2’s FIRST NEWS @ 4 to its highest ratings, a 2.7/6 household rating/share, since July 6. This 2.7 is also 93% higher than the average for the prior four weeks (7/30-8/24). In addition, CBS 2’s News at 5PM (3.3/7) and 6PM (2.7/5) also saw household ratings increases, 57% and 35%, respectively, compared to their averages for the prior four weeks (7/30-8/24).

Edward, a Long Island native, is one of the country’s foremost psychic mediums and author of the critically acclaimed New York Times bestsellers One Last Time and What if God Were the Sun. Since its debut on the SCI FI channel in July 2000, his talk show has become a breakout hit and a national fascination. Edward uses his unique abilities to connect people with loved ones who have passed on. Deeply fascinating, often startling and frequently humorous, Edward’s down-to-earth approach to psychic phenomena has made the show appointment viewing for even the staunchest of skeptics.

CROSSING OVER WITH JOHN EDWARD, broadcast Monday-Friday (3:00-4:00 PM, ET) on WCBS-TV, is produced by SCI FI. Paul Shavelson and John Edward serve as executive producers. Shirley Abraham is co-executive producer and Dana Calderwood directs.

(Thanks to Kevin and David for sending this press release to me!)

Chopper 2 Tour

Kevin and David tell me that CBSNEWYORK.com has added a slideshow of Chopper 2! It includes pictures of Jim Smith and Joe Biermann, and Chopper 2 covering some big news stories. To see this virtual tour, including video of a Chopper 2 landing, click here.

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.

The New York Post On Studio 43

Michael Starr of The New York Post has this in today's paper:

CH. 2 has moved the last of its newscasts out of the fancy new studio near the Plaza Hotel - and back to its old studio on West 57th Street. Ch. 2 unveiled its spanking-new studios yesterday at the CBS Broadcast Center (between 10th and 11th). With the move back to its traditional home studio, Ch. 2 staffers no longer have to board a shuttle bus and schlepp across town to "The Early Show" studios on 5th and 59th - as they'd been doing since 1999.

This allows us to be here for every show, where we couldn't do that under the previous setup," said Ch. 2 GM Tony Petitti. "In the old configuration, a lot of people started [their day] here and went to [the 55th St. studio] during the day," Petitti said. "But most anchors went straight to 55th Street." Earlier this summer, Ch. 2 moved its early-morning and noon newscasts back to the Broadcast Center - and it was expected that the 4, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts would follow suit when the new facility was completed.

Petitti said that, contrary to rumors, Ch. 2 will not be dropping its "CBS2 Information Network" tag nor its 4 p.m. newscast, which now follows "Crossing Over with John Edward." "We have no plans to change that format," he said. "We bought a lot of syndicated programming . . . and we're going to see what works and how it configures." In addition to "Crossing Over," Ch. 2 will be airing syndicated version of "Weakest Link" (beginning in January) and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" next fall. It's also purchased "Dr. Phil," also scheduled to kick off next fall.

A few incorrect comments in the article: There is/was no CBS 2 studio on 55th Street. Most newscasts moved to the 59th Street studio on January 17, 2000 (News 2 at Noon moved a month earlier). And all the newscasts moved to the new studio yesterday; CBS 2 News This Morning and At Noon did not move earlier.
(Thanks to Brian for sending me this article!)

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 Names New Managing Editor and Executive Producer

A CBS 2 Press Release:

Richard Bamberger and Kristin Quillinan have been named Managing Editor and Executive Producer, WCBS-TV New York, respectively, it was announced today by Joel Cheatwood, Executive Vice President for News, Viacom Television Stations and WCBS-TV News Director. The appointment is effective Sept. 10, 2001.

“Rich and Kristin are both dynamic news managers whose track record speaks for itself,” said Cheatwood. “They are aggressive, innovative journalists who bring great passion to their work. We look forward to their arrivals.”

Bamberger, a native of New York City, most recently served as managing editor for WJBK-TV Detroit since 1997. He was responsible for managing the daily operations of the station’s newsroom with more than 110 employees and 6½ hours of news broadcasts per day. He and Kristen both were part of a team that transformed Fox 2 News into a top rated, award-winning news station.

Prior to his arrival at WJBK-TV, Bamberger was assignment manager for WFOR-TV Miami (1996-97) with responsibilities for the daily operations of the CBS owned station’s reporters and photographers.

Bamberger attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1992.

Quillinan joins WCBS-TV from WJBK-TV Detroit where she served as executive producer since 1997. In that role she oversaw the production of the station’s newscasts, setting new standards for quality in the Detroit market, which were emulated at other Fox owned television stations around the country. Quillinan was executive producer, WFOR-TV Miami (1996-97) prior to joining WJBK-TV.

Award-winning producer Quillinan began her career at WRGB-TV Albany in 1990. She served as an intern, assignment editor, associate producer and producer in her five years with the station.

Quillinan is a 1992 graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. with a bachelor’s degree in English. She is the recipient of Emmy and Associated Press Awards for Best Newscast (1998, 1999) and Best Business and Finance Report (1997). In addition, she was cited for her work by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (Best Station of the Year, 1999 and 2000; and Best Newscast, 1998, 1999 and 2000).

The couple was married in October 2000 and will be relocating to the New York City area.

Ernie Anastos Goes One-On-One with New York City Mayoral Candidates

A CBS 2 Press Release:

With the New York City Primary Election less than three weeks away, CBS 2 intensifies its coverage of the mayoral race with live interviews of candidates Herman Badillo, Mike Bloomberg, Terry Gray, Mark Green, Alan Hevesi, George Spitz and Peter Vallone on FIRST NEWS @ 4 beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 28 (4:00-5:00 PM, ET). Anchor Ernie Anastos hosts “Conversations with the Candidates” featuring the city’s top contenders in the hotly contested mayor’s race as they begin their final steps towards the end of the campaign trail.

Tuesday (28), Anastos talks to Conservative Party candidate Gray followed by Public Advocate Green on Wednesday, Aug. 29, Republican candidate Bloomberg on Thursday, Aug. 30 and Democrat Spitz on Friday, Aug. 31. The series continues on Tuesday, Sept. 4 featuring former Deputy Mayor Badillo and on Wednesday, Sept. 5 with City Council Speaker Vallone. Anastos’ interview with New York City Comptroller Hevesi concludes the series on Thursday, Sept. 6. FIRST NEWS @ 4 will not be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 3 and Friday, Sept. 7 due to U.S. Open Tennis Championships coverage.

“Conversations with the Candidates” will offer the participants equal time to discuss the issues most important to their campaigns and the five boroughs of New York. In addition, viewers will be able to submit questions for the candidates via the CBS 2 website.

FIRST NEWS @ 4 is broadcast weekdays (4:00-5:00 PM, ET) on WCBS-TV New York. Anastos and Dana Tyler anchor the station’s broadcast from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Lucian Chalfen is CBS 2’s Assignment Manager of Planning and Investigations.

(Thanks to Brian for sending these press releases to me!)

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!