The holidays are here, and all has been quiet lately on the TV gossip front. But things are about to get interesting in the new year...
KATU - Just announced: After three decades of airing at 6:00pm, KATU will slide ABC World News with Charlie Gibson to 5:30pm beginning January 2nd. This means that KATU's new evening news line-up will feature an hour of news at 6:00pm, mirroring KGW's line-up. The question remains: Will the new 6:00pm newscast be a full hour with one anchor team (like sister station KOMO in Seattle)? Or will the hour be split into two 30-minute newscasts with an anchor switch at 6:30 (like KGW)? Steve Dunn is a lock to anchor regardless, but who sits next to him? Does 5:00pm anchor Natali Marmion, who loses 30 minutes of air-time when the 5:00pm show gets cut in half, stay later to anchor the 6:00pm show? Or does 6:30pm anchor Debora Knapp get the full 6:00pm hour? KATU insiders: do tell!
KOIN - Not much gossip to report from the bunker lately, which is strange given the recent ownership change. We all know how much chatter the last ownership change created, but little has been said this time around. And there have been no noticeable changes to the product or to personnel. How are the new owners? How is the new company's benefit package? Is it better than Montecito's? And how about the new GM? Let's hear it.
KGW - As previously discussed, the big project coming soon from KGW will be the launch of HD newscasts... at least in part. Sort-of. Or not really, depending on who you talk to. Lots of technobabble has been spewed, and it's hard to figure out exactly what kind of HD product KGW will be offering in a month. Anyone care to clarify in "real people" terms?
KPTV - More rumblings of another news expansion coming... this time, into the early-evening time period. Yes, we've heard this rumor for years, but it might actually be true this time. I've heard that the new show COULD be a 5pm or 6pm newscast that would compete against the other three. However, the recent hot gossip is that KPTV might stay away from those crowded hours and launch a traditional newscast early or late (4pm or 7pm) instead. Another rumor is that KPTV might go in a different direction completely and launch a unique evening lifestyle show that focuses on Portland activities, nightlife, dining and entertainment. (Anyone remember PM Magazine?) Come on, FOXers... what will it be? And when?
Does KGW have a new set? It looks different.