Charlotte Reporter Leaves TV to Tell "Positive News" Stories

Sarah Batista is leaving TV news and the bad news stories behind.  

The Hispanic Reporter is starting her own business and dedicate herself to telling “positive stories.”

The Latin American Herald Tribune says that after seven years as a reporter and program host on WBTV, an affiliate of CBS in Charlotte, Sarah Batista dropped the crime beat to produce a series of documentaries called “Stories to Inspire.”

Batista, 33, told Efe that reporting bad news had become a routine, and she had little chance to work on stories that would inspire her audience.

“In 2012 I started researching what I had to do to start my own business, and I chose the not-for-profit field because that is where people can make a difference,” she said.

“The goal is to help non-profit organizations garner donations and clients, to motivate their staff and volunteers to show the power of the institution,” Batista said.

Batista worked for two TV stations in Charlottesville, Virginia, before joining WBTV in 2006.

“My start with WBTV wasn’t easy,” Batista said. “I had to work really hard, I was the only Hispanic reporter and they didn’t know what to do with me, but I tried hard and my work was appreciated. I’m leaving the channel at the top of my game.”

West Virginia Anchor Heads to Nashville

After nearly a decade behind the anchor desk, Jessica Ralston is leaving WSAZ, an NBC affiliate for the Huntington-Charleston market.

"I wanted to go to a place that was inviting and had friendly people just like Charleston. I kept going back to Nashville. The people there are hospitable, and the people at WTVF Nashville are really invested in their station. I knew it would be a perfect fit so I accepted the job," Ralston told the Charleston Daily Mail. 

She will be the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. anchor for WTVF Nashville. She is moving into a much larger market and will have the opportunity to host programs on WTVF's sister network, News Channel 5 Plus.

After Ralston accepted the Nashville job, she contacted her general manager who sent out a mass email noting her departure.

WSAZ General Manager Matt Jaquint said he is going to miss her.

"She's been here nearly 10 years and she's been great for Charleston, great for the Kanawha Valley and great for WSAZ," Jaquint said. "We want all our employees to get out in the community and get to know some of our viewers. Jessica is a great example because of her involvement and her commitment to serve the community."

Jaquint said a search is currently ongoing and he hopes to find Ralston's replacement soon. 

Ralston was featured in FTVLive's Talent Spotlight and tells us that it really helped her in landing a new gig.  

Doesn't TV Already Have Those?

USA Today's Rem Rieder writes a piece Today asking in TV news should follow the ESPN's Tony Kornheiser?

Kornheiser issued the challenge to his more serious TV colleagues during a segment of CNN's Reliable Sources Sunday showcasing his show Pardon the Interruption. 

Kornheiser's show has it's own on air fact check that calls out on their mistakes, on air and in real time.

He thinks TV news should do the same. 

Here's what FTVLive thinks.

First of all if Kornheiser and his crew are making that many mistakes, maybe they should dump them and find some people that know what they are talking about. It would also save ESPN from having to hire a fact checker.  

As for TV station's hiring their own fact checkers?

Last time I looked, stations already had those....they call them Reporters and Producers. And if they get the facts wrong, dump them and fine someone to do the job better. 

End of story.  

Aereo Expands to 4 More Cities

Aereo continues to expand their reach. Today the company announced that they will soon be available in 4 more cities. 

The 4 are Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana and San Antonio, Texas.

These four metropolitan areas represent a total population of nearly eight million people. Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and San Antonio join Aereo’s list of 22 expansion cities announced earlier this year.

To date, Aereo has launched its technology in New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Miami, Houston and Dallas, with plans to continue launching the remaining identified expansion cities throughout 2013 and 2014.

Houston Station Takes Wraps off New Set

KPRC debuted their new news set last night during the late news. The set has a clean look but has a bit too much blue in it for our taste.  

They are also using a large monitor wall in many of their shots. 

Here are some pics: 

H/T Mike McGuff

It's Cute...But....

I'm not sure it really does much for your news image. 

KCTV in Kansas City has having a new news set built. The station put out this promo promoting that fact: 

KCTV 5

So? What Happened?

Remember back on August 2nd, FTVLive told you that KTSM (El Paso) News Anchor Adrienne Alvarez was arrested after after an incident at her home?

Police arrested Alvarez on domestic violence charges after they say she instigated a violent fight with her husband Hazael Dominguez.

KTSM never mentioned the incident and Alvarez was not seen on after after her arrest. 

She went silent on Twitter for exactly one month.  

On August 26 she posted this on her Facebook page: 

Vacation?! So that's what were calling getting arrested now? 

Now, Alvarez is back on the air, back on Twitter and Facebook and everything seems to be back to the way it was before her arrest.  

FTVLive searched the web trying to find out what happened to her case? We can't find any info what-so-ever. 

It's almost like her arrest for domestic violence never happened and the rest of the media fraternity never followed up.

So what happened? Anyone? Bueller? 

This Will Make you Smile

Down here in Florida it is an ugly rainy day and it's only Tuesday. Somewhat depressing. 

If you're having a day like me, watch this video! I promise it will bring a smile to your face and show you what pure joy looks like. 

All thanks to a dog named Butch. 

Happy Fall everyone: 

Hoda and Kathie Lee Join NY News

FTVLive favorites Hoda and Kathie Lee are joining the world of the dying newspaper. 

But they aren't giving up their day jobs. 

The NY Daily News writes that  “Today” show stars Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are joining the New York Daily News as columnists.

The dynamic duo, best known as the anchors of the fourth hour of “Today,” will offer their unique take on food, fashion, pop culture and fun, starting Thursday.

Gifford, a television icon, has been a morning show staple since her pioneering days on “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee,” while Kotb has been a “Dateline” correspondent since 1998 and Giffords’ on-air partner-in-crime since 2008.

What If your Newsroom had these Rules?

The dying Newsweek has ordered their employees to shape up and dress up when it comes to the workplace.  

Newsweek has started a very strict dress code that some feel might border on the ridiculous. 

Here's a portion of the new dress code rules: 

"Midriffs are to be covered. Denim jeans, sweat suits, low-rise pants, sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, halter tops, camisoles, baseball caps, sweat suits, T-shirts, tank tops, micro mini-skirts, shorts or anything else that is deemed unprofessional or excessively distracting are inappropriate business attire and should not be worn to work. Hair should be clean, combed and neatly trimmed or arranged.

Shaggy, messy, and neglected hair is not permissible regardless of length. Also, well-groomed, business style hair of natural color is required. Open-toe sandals are not permitted. Body piercing (other than earrings) should not be visible. Inappropriately dressed employees will be asked to return home to change into suitable clothing. Tattoos and body piercings (other than earrings) must be covered."

Can you imagine if these rules would apply to your newsroom?

There won't be a Photographer on staff. And requiring you hair to be natural color rule would wipe out the Anchor and Reporters. 

The pircings and tattoo rule kill off the art department. Clean hair would wipe out engineering.

The only person left would be the Sales Manager and he's a asshole to begin with. 

If FTVLive applied the rules to our office, we would a lot be in trouble. We love sitting around with our nipple ring exposed.  

But that's just us. 

Last one to leave Newsweek, please get the lights.  

Nashville Station Blows Up Morning Show Starts Over

Nashville's WZTV has decided to blow up their morning show and start over.

The station says they are taking the show in a new direction, with a new name and new anchors.

In other words....they're starting over from scratch. 

The station has named Bob Sellers and Jennifer Waddell to its newly named morning newscast, FOX 17 This Morning.

“We’re taking the show in a new direction, “ says WZTV General Manager, Dominic Mancuso.  “Viewers still connect the show with talent from its inception 12 years ago.  It’s time to break that trend with fresh faces and a new identity, while continuing to provide 4 hours of local coverage, even after the other stations have switched to national shows out of New York.”

Sellers brings his on-air experience from Washington D.C., CNBC, and the FOX News Channel. Sellers is also a TV Agent and will continue that role with some restrictions placed on him by his agency and Sinclair Broadcasting (owner of WZTV). 

Waddell comes to Nashville from KGUN in Tucson where she anchored the evening newscasts. 

The brand new 'FOX 17 This Morning' hits the air September 30th.    

Hubby and Wife Anchor the News

You know how on social media, TV anchors like to refer to their co-anchor as their "TV Husband" or "TV Wife"?

It's so cute when they do that (I'm being sarcastic).

But, up at one Canadian station, when the co-anchors called themselves husband and wife....it's true both on air and off.

Last night at CBC Calgary a new era began. Rosa Marchitelli and Rob Brown signed on as the new hosts of CBC News Calgary at 5, 5:30 and 6 on CBC Television.

The co-anchors are married to each other and have three young sons — an arrangement that's unique in TV news.

"Truthfully, we're not entirely sure how it's going to play out," said Brown. "We'll have to see. It will be a fun ride I think."

"It's a work in progress," added Marchitelli in an interview with theCalgary Eyeopener on Monday.

Marchitelli said the couple has adopted some rules to try to separate home life and work life.

The couple moved from Vancouver to Calgary earlier this month. Brown was a reporter and anchor for CTV News. Marchitelli is originally from Calgary, but had most recently been a reporter and anchor at CBC Vancouver. She was also a journalism instructor.

Marchitelli believes the co-host format will give the CBC News Calgary at 5, 5:30 and 6 much more flexibility by letting the pair showcase their reporting skills directly from the field. 

"We're both established. We hope to be anchors who are out there covering stories as well as in the studio delivering the work that everyone has spent all day putting together."

Brown said their respective ages will also be an advantage.

"It's helpful, I think, given the demographic in this city," said Brown. "We're a young couple with young kids. We have the same issues as everyone else does. So, we'll be bringing that to the fore editorially in terms of shaping the show." 

H/T CBC News

Stepping Down in San Antonio

Word is that longtime KSAT News Director Jim Boyle is leaving the station due to some health issues. 

No official word yet, but here's wishing Jim the best.  

News Press Gazette Buys Up Stations

The Summer of TV station sales has moved into the Fall. 

News-Press & Gazette Company announced the purchase of KION-TV (CBS) and KMUV-LP (Telemundo), both Monterey, CA, and KKFX-CA (FOX), San Luis Obispo, CA (collectively, the “Stations”), from Cowles California Media Company  subject to approvals from the Federal Communications Commission.

In addition, NPGCo and Cowles Media have, contemporaneously, entered into a shared services arrangement relating to the Cowles Media-owned KCOY-TV (CBS) in Santa Maria, California. Under this arrangement, NPGCo will provide operating assistance to the station, including news, back office, engineering, and sales support services, while general management, programming and sales management functions at KCOY-TV will continue to be managed by Cowles Media.

These transactions are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Cops Clamp the Cuffs on Charleston Sports Anchor

WCIV sports anchor John Nugent was arrested by police last night and charged with  driving under the influence.

Mt. Pleasant Officers pulled the 55-year-old Nugent over around 10:30 p.m after they saw Sports Anchor strike the center median while driving south on Coleman Boulevard.

Police said they asked Nugent if he was ok, and he seemed to mumble something that he was fine. 

Police said Nugent told them he had one beer, but he was exhibiting slurred speech, glassy eyes, and was slow to respond to questions and instructions. Police decided to administer a field sobriety test, which Nugent failed, the report states. 

Nugent was handcuffed and taken to the station for a blood-alcohol test, but police said he declined to take one. He was then taken to the Charleston County Detention Center. 

A judge set Nugent’s bond at just under $1,000 on Monday.

No word yet from WCIV on the incident. 

H/T WCSC

Big Apple Station Bounces Larry Mendte

New York sources tell FTVLive that WPIX has handed Larry Mendte his walking papers.

Mendte who is best known for being convicted for hacking his co-anchor's email account when he was an anchor in Philly did not have his contract renewed according to the source. 

Mendte had been hired by former News Director Bill Carey to do commentaries for the NY station. 

WPIX has been struggling in the ratings for years and recently hired Mark Effron to try and turn the awful station around.  

It appears that Effron did not see Mendte as part of that effort.  

Mendte has made no mention of him leaving the station on his Twitter account. He still list himself as "News Commentator for Tribune Broadcasting @WPIX" in his Twitter bio.

More as we hear it.