Popular Buffalo Anchor Works in a Bank

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It appears that one of Buffalo's more popular TV News Anchors, doesn't event work on news.

She works in a bank.

Since Scripps took over awful WKBW from Granite, the station has been doing research to see how viewers feel about the local Anchors in town?

It seems that one of the more popular anchors is no longer working in TV news. Jodi Johnston left WGRZ in 2012, but she still is a viewer favorite.

n their research, WKBW has included Johnston's name in the poll of anchors they are asking viewers about.

Could the station be looking to bring back Johsnton to the Buffalo airwaves?

"It is news to me," said Johnston of the survey to the Buffalo News. "I'm really happy at First Niagara. It is a great organization with great leadership and a great culture. I'm not interested in making a return to television."

And after working Banker's hours, who would be interested in going back?

Just saying.... 

I Think Michael Jackson Just Rolled over One More Time

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This next story proves two things.

First, there is not much news happening in Columbus, GA. And Second, TV news people really and I mean really can't dance.

The crew at WTVM paid tribute to Michael Jackson on the 5th anniversary of his death with a music tribute that showed the crew trying to dance like the King of Pop. They ran the video as the show's kicker. 

Let's go to the video:

Matt Lauer Lands Pippa

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Matt Lauer and NBC are gushing at the fact that Lauer and the Today Show have landed the first TV interview ever with Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate.

Lauer announced his chat with Middleton on Wednesday's "Today." It will air in two parts on Monday and Tuesday.

NBC News billed the chat as a "worldwide exclusive."

Landing Pippa is akin to getting a sit-down with Roger Clinton. Except, that Pippa has a much better ass.

Just saying.... 

NBC to Try and Hire Pippa

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After Pippa Middleton sat down with her interview with Matt Lauer, Page Six says the network might have offered her a Chelsea Clinton type job.

Work very little and make a boatload of money. 

Page Six says that NBC has been angling to interview Pippa for a while, and it is set to make a job offer to the 30-year-old sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

A source tells the gossip page that, “NBC, along with all the major networks, have been trying to sign Pippa for some time. NBC is set to make a fresh approach to her following the interview.”

It was reported in 2012 that NBC was set to offer Pippa a $600,000 deal to be a royal correspondent. But an NBC spokeswoman denied this at the time.

However, Pippa would never have agreed to take on the beat because she wouldn’t be able to dish on the British royal family.

Still, the TV source added, “Pippa could do reports based on her party planning book or her charity work.”

An NBC rep sniffed last night, “This is 100 percent not true and it seems anyone suggesting otherwise is ‘royally’ ­jealous.”

Bumped up in Chicago

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After spending the past 2 years working freelance at WBBM in Chicago, Reporter Courtney Gousman is finally going to get some benefits across the street.

Starting next month, Gousman will be hired on as a full-time Reporter at Tribune station WGN.

Prior to WGN she  worked in St. Louis at KSDK.

Gousman should have an in with the Chicago Police Department. Her Dad is a Chicago cop. 

Ummmmm.....

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Last night Howie Kurtz tweeted out this message:

It seems that Fox News wanted to clear some time on the schedule to take some shots at Fox News critics Stewart and Colbert. 

We didn't catch last night's O'Reilly Factor because....well....we have never caught O'Reilly's show. We have to wait another 20 years or so, before we are old enough to watch the show. I think the average age of O'Reilly's viewers is deceased. 

But, we are betting that while Howie (and his girlfriend Lauren) and Bill were talking about the declining ratings of Comedy Central, we're guessing that they didn't say anything about  FNC's falling ratings? 

Kurtz was an idiot long before he ever went to Fox News, but the guy has drank so much of the Kool-Aid since he has been there, that he is nothing more than a total waste of space. 

Roger Ailes is a very smart man, but his hiring of Howard Kurtz was one of his worst moves he has made in his time at Fox News. 

Just saying.... 

Longtime Richmond Anchor is Out....We Think

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It appears that WRIC in Richmond has parted ways with Anchor Gene Cox.

Cox tweeted that he is now unemployed:

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Cox was hired by WRIC after he "retired" from my WWBTtwo years ago.

He's the most well-known anchor in Richmond - working in the market over 40 years. 

 His bio has been scrubbed from the WRIC website and he hasn't shown up for work since last Friday.  

Station sources say management hasn't said one word about his leaving and nothing has been said to viewers.

You gots to just love the communications business. 

SCOTUS Backs Broadcasters Against Aereo

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In a big blow to people that hate high cable bills, the Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 vote that Aereo is violating broadcasters' copyrights by taking the signals for free.

The ruling preserves the ability of the television networks to demand higher fees from cable cables to broadcast their signal and in turn for the cable companies to jack up your bill.

A big loss for new technology and a big win for old school broadcasters. 

Ben Sherwood's Internal Email to ABC News Staff

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Here is the internal email Ben Sherwood sent to the staff at ABC News:

Team:

By now you’ve seen the exciting news that James shared about Diane, George and David.

I just want to relay my enthusiasm and support for these big leaps and offer congratulations to all.

Over time, Diane, George and David have each engaged me and James in imagining and charting their respective paths. We are delighted that these new positions reflect our discussions as well as their individual passions, ideals, talents and goals.

Best of all, these new roles will further magnify their ability to do what they love most while advancing the essential mission of ABC News: Empowering our audience to change the future.

I want to acknowledge and celebrate Diane in particular for leading our division to great heights, especially and most recently at World News. Over the years, we have held many far-reaching conversations about work and life, and I know this new role is exactly how she wants to focus her remarkable energy and talent.  And I’m excited to watch her elevate all of our programs and platforms with her new ideas, dynamic team, and her signature reporting, interviewing and storytelling.

I also want to salute George and David, consummate and complementary pros who will – as always – make ABC News shine on the biggest, most important stories around the clock and around the world. From moments of triumph to moments of crisis, George and David will guide the way with intelligence, enterprise, understanding and connection.

With these moves, and the incomparable Robin in her vital role as the heart and soul of our organization, I am confident that our best work and biggest scoops are straight ahead.

So here’s to each and every one of you – on air and behind the scenes – for together ensuring that tomorrow will always be even bolder and brighter than today.

BEN

Back to 3 White Guys

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With Diane Sawyer stepping down as the Anchor of ABC's World News, it will be back to the future for network newscasts.

For years and years, network newscasts were anchored by white men. For awhile Barbara Walters moved in with the men, but it didn't last long before the all boys club was back.

Then the tide started to change.

Katie Couric took over at CBS News and Diane Sawyer soon followed at ABC. For a brief period the ladies out weighed the men and NBC's Brian Williams was the solo male on network news.

But, Couric was pushed out at CBS and the Tiffany network went back to the safe white guy and picked Scott Pelley as their new anchor.

Now, Diane Sawyer steps down and ABC News doesn't even do a search for a possible female or minority. They again go with the easy and safe pick of David Muir.

As the old saying goes "You've come a long way baby!"

But, when it comes to network newscasts, maybe you haven't. 

Diane Sawyer to Leave World News Anchor Desk

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Diane Sawyer is leaving the anchor desk at ABC"s World News and will be replaced by David Muir.

Sawyer is expected to focus on Prime Time special and takeover the role Barbara Walters had/has at the network. 

Muir has been anchoring World News weekend since 2011, will also get the role of Managing Editor at World News.

The network also announced that Good Morning America co-host and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos takes on the new role of Chief Anchor of ABC News. Which were not sure what that makes Muir's role? 

The network says that Stephanopoulos will stay on in his role on Good Morning America as well. Insiders tell FTVLive that you can expect his air time on GMA to slowly diminish over time.

"They don't want to make any hard changes to GMA and hurt their ratings," says an ABC insider to FTVLive. "But at some point George is going to need to sleep," the insider added. 

Sawyer has been rumored to be leaving the World News anchor desk for the past year.

It appears the rumors are coming true.

Muir takes over World News on September 2nd. 

Stay tuned.... 

Fox and Cox GM's Switching Coasts

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Yesterday, FTVLive told you that Cox is going to give up KTVU in the San Francisco market to Fox Television stations. 

In return, Fox is going to give Cox their stations in Boston (WFXT) and throw in Memphis (WHBQ) as well. 

And while the ownership of the stations will change on both coasts, the GM of the stations will also swap east coast and west coast.

FTVLive hears that KTVU General Manager Tom Raponi will be leaving the left coast for Boston and WFXT.

On the flip side, WFXT GM Gregg Kelley headed to San Fran to oversee KTVU.

It is odd to see companies swap stations, even more strange is swapping out the GM's.

Both Raponi and Kelley will be overseeing the hires made by the other person.

Just when you thought you have seen it all in TV news, something like this happens. 

Fox Philly Names New Morning Host

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Speaking of Fox O&O's....

WTXF Fox Philly has hired Alex Holley as the new Co-Anchor of Good Day Philadelphia.

Holley makes a huge market jump, coming to Philly from WMBF in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she served as a reporter and anchor for the station’s morning news program.

Prior to that, she worked as an anchor, reporter and producer at KOMU in Columbia, Missouri.

"Bringing the latest news alongside the extraordinary Mike Jerrick will be a dream-come-true experience. I look forward to spending mornings working and laughing with the talented ‘Good Day Philadelphia’ team. Get ready Philly-- can't wait to meet ya!" added Holley.

Her Agent Rick Ramage tells FTVLive that she will be starting at Fox Philly later this Summer. Ramage says she will be on the show on this Thursday to say, "Hello" to the viewers.