Erin Andrews Bumped Up on Fox's NFL Sunday

Erin Andrews is getting Pam Oliver's job on Fox's NFL Sunday. 

Oliver confirmed the news to Sports Illustrated that she will move to the network’s No. 2 team for her 20th NFL broadcasting season. Erin Andrews has been elevated to the No. 1 sideline spot, joining the team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Oliver’s last season working as a reporter on the NFL will be spent with the No. 2 Fox team of Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch.

And after this coming football season, she will no longer be a sideline reporter at all.

After a painful couple of months, Oliver said the disappointment of that news has subsided and that she has accepted her new professional reality. But it was a shock last April when Fox Sports executives traveled to Atlanta, where she is based, to tell her in person that she would no longer hold the job that has been her professional life for two decades. Oliver says that while she respected Fox Sports president Eric Shanks and executive vice president of production John Entz delivering the news in person, she was stunned when they initially informed her that not only was she being removed from Fox’s No. 1 NFL team, but also that she was being taken off the NFL sidelines completely in 2014.

“To go from the lead crew to no crew was a little shocking,” Oliver said. “I said I wanted to do a 20th year [on the sidelines]. I expressed to them that I was not done and had something to offer. 

It was refreshing how honestly Oliver handed the news. 

After the story hit Sports Illustrated, Fox quickly put out a press release that said that Oliver was staying on at Fox Sports and was being elevated to the role of  senior correspondent, FOX Sports, effectively immediately. 

In Oliver’s new position, she expands her influence beyond the NFL to include the wide breadth of sports and events covered by FOX Sports year-round, with her exclusive interviews, commentary and essays featured on a variety of FOX Sports programs and platforms, including FOX NFL SUNDAY, FOX SPORTS LIVE, AMERICA'S PREGAME, FOX SPORTS 1 ON 1, college football and basketball and FOXSports.com.

Let's go to the obligotory quote made up by Fox's PR department:  “I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to expand my contributions to include a wider variety of sports and programs at FOX, while still getting to report from the sidelines on NFL Sundays,” said Oliver.  “I’ve already spoken with Kevin and John, and I’m really looking forward to being part of their team this season.”

Where's Waldo?

FTVLive has been telling you how CNN boss Jeff Zucker has been gutting the network's headquarters in Atlanta.

FTVLive was the FIRST to tell you that HLN would be moving into CNN's bigger studio in Atlanta, because there are not many shows left for the cable news network in the A-T-L.

As an example of how things have changed at CNN in Atlanta, check out this picture taken by an FTVLive spy.

You don't see very many people, do you? It's like playing Where's Waldo as you hunt for a CNN staffer in the picture. 

Fox News Host says He's Sorry....sort of

Yesterday, FTVLive told you that Fox News Host Bob Beckel had basically pissed off all of China.

Beckel made the comment on Thursday’s episode of The Five, Beckel said: “Chinese are the single biggest threat to the national security of the US … we bring them over here and teach a bunch of Chinamen – er, Chinese people – how to do computers and then they go back to China and hack into us.”

On last night's show, Beckel sort of apologized for his comments. 

“I made some comments last week about the Chinese people which apparently upset some people, for which I apologize,” Beckel said at the end of last night's show.

In other words, "apparently some people" don't get the fact that Beckel doesn't always know when he is being a racist. So you guys should give him a break....ok? 

What a tool! 

WTF Howard Kurtz?

Fox News blowahard Howard Kurtz and his girlfriend Lauren Ashburn did segment on Mediabuzz about the fact that Fox News doesn't only have blonde Anchorwomen.

Why the hell Kurtz is wasting viewers time with this crap, we can't tell you.

Awkward Howie and  Ashburn's back and forth seemed so scripted that it was painful to watch.

As painful as that was to watch, it still was nothing close to this. 

Can Someone Get some Powder for Al Roker's Head?

It appears that Al Roker really is an angel, or the makeup staff might want to powder his dome a little bit. 

Freeze Hits The Weather Channel (Updated)

This morning, FTVLive reported FIRST that cuts have been made at Sam Champion's AMHQ (the story was stolen from us a couple hours after posting with no attribution by a website that lacks any type of ethics what-so-ever). 

On a followup to that story, sources tell FTVLive that a freeze has also hit The Weather Channel and it has nothing to do with the temperature.

Insiders tell FTVLive that a hiring freeze has been implemented at TWC.

Word is that bosses put the freeze in place after an awful last quarter performance. 

We hear that many inside the Weather Channel are hoping for a major weather event (i.e. hurricane) to help the network out. 

Even the American Bald Ego himself, Jim Cantore is getting grumpy because the lack of a big event.

Stay tuned.... 

Update: A Weather Channel spokesperson tells FTVLive that there is no hiring freeze and that the company currently has a number of jobs posted. 

WTF MSNBC?

Sometimes MSNBC just makes it too easy to take shots at them.

Just saying.... 

H/T Dorsey Shaw

Well Damn!!!!! Would you Look at that!

CNN has issued a press release saying that the network has hired former Fox News Anchor Alisyn Camerota.

Many of the media are reporting this news Today and social media is lighting up with CNN's new hire. 

Yet FTVLive readers found out this was happening back in March! Yes March!!

On March 31st, FTVLive wrote, "FTVLive has learned FIRST and EXCLUSIVELY from CNN sources that Camerota will be soon headed to CNN. "It's still months away, but she is 100% going to end up on CNN," our source tells FTVLive."

Of course there were those that questioned our report. We even offered up a bet to anyone that would take it. 

Sooner or later everyone learns not to question FTVLive's scoops.

Some just take longer than others. 

Just ask Piers Morgan. 

Stormy Days for Sam Champion's AMHQ

The Weather Channel had some big plans and some high hopes when  it hired Sam Champion away from Good Morning America. 

Champion was made into a boss and got his own show on The Weather Channel called AMHQ.

But, just a few months into it, it appears that AMHQ is a ratings dud and TWC is beginning to wake up and see that.

Sources tell FTVLive that The Weather Channel has very quietly let about a dozen production people that work on AMHQ go in the past 2 weeks. 

The ratings are low, real low, in fact they are lower than the show that used to be in its place before AMHQ.

And that show had just 2 anchors, a small team and a much smaller budget.  

Insiders tell FTVLive that staffers working on Champion's show are concerned that more cuts will happen as the show continues to hemorrhage dollars. 

"The question isn't will this show be canceled, it's when," says one insider to FTVLive. 

Budgets all across the network are being tightened to make up for the big spending in the AM that has not paid off.

Word is that other shows at TWC are getting higher ratings than the morning show but also now face budget cuts.

If hurricane season turns out to be a dud, it is feared big layoff is imminent.

Stay tuned.... 

"The Station has Become a Very Dark Place for Me"

WCPO (Cincinnati) Weather Anchor Larry Handley was told that after 15 years at the station, he was being kicked to the curb. His contract was not been renewed and he gave his final forecast on Friday.

But, Handley decided to go out the door with guns blazing. 

In and email to his co-workers on his way out the door, Handley says that the station "has become a very dark place for me."

"Nearly every day was heavy and bleak and that is no way to spend so many hours week after week," he told employees in an email.

He is the full text of his email to his former co-workers:

It is over.

My most recent 15 years with WCPO and, potentially, my 25 years of uninterrupted service as a television meteorologist are over. Honestly, I couldn't be happier or more excited.

Recently, Channel 9 has become a very dark place for me. Nearly every day was heavy and bleak and that is no way to spend so many hours week after week.

Don't get me wrong. I am a little nervous at times when I think too much but my days are infinitely brighter and more promising.

The kindness that has been shared through cards and letters and emails has been a bit overwhelming. It is all way too generous. Forgive me, but this time I am going to accept every single word. I will hold them close. Bask in them. Cherish them. Thank you so very much.

Some of you have asked what I will be doing. I really don't have a solid answer. I am going to rest. I am going to sleep in past 1:30 am. I am going to spend some much needed time with my family during normal hours. I am going to attend to some projects around my house that I never had time to get to. Then, I am going to start doing what I love - what my heart is telling me to do - telling great stories. If that intrigues you, friend request me on my personal Facebook page and you can watch it happen.

I am thrilled to start writing this chapter of my life with no preconceived outcome but I will miss so many of you. I'm sure there will be a sense of emptiness for a while not seeing certain folks on a daily basis. I hope you know who you are. I sincerely apologize if you don't because you deserve to know. You have been very special in my life. I will regularly pray for you and for Channel 9 as a whole. I want it to succeed for you. I know how important it is and how you depend on it.

I am a man of ruthless trust and faith. It is an excruciatingly hard road to travel but it always leads me right to where I need to be. Even now. So, I will leave you with this. Jeremiah 29-11. Believing this truth has carried me through some very difficult times when I felt helpless and defeated. It will do the same for you.

Blessing,
Larry

Weather Nation Hires 'Natural Hair" Meteorologist

You may remember that back in 2012, meteorologist Rhonda Lee made headlines after she was fired from her job at KTBS in Louisiana for defending herself on Facebook against racist comments about Lee sporting her natural hair.

This weekend, Lee announced that WeatherNation hired her as an on-air meteorologist.

Lee's saga began when several viewers left ugly comments on Shreveport, Louisiana-based KTBS' Facebook page about the meteorologist opting to wear her natural hair rather than "wear a wig or grow more hair," as one Facebook user put it.

Lee responded to the comment on Facebook and the station fired her for violating the station's social media policy, which instructs employees to ignore complaints or tell them to contact the company's ombudsman.

In addition to suing KTBS over her firing, Lee also has a pending lawsuit against one of her former employers, KXAN in Austin, Texas, after she says she was "repeatedly subjected to crude and insensitive remarks about her race."

In a post on her Facebook page, Rhonda Lee said that she isn't sure when her new job with WeatherNation will begin, but she's moving from Shreveport to Denver in a couple of weeks.

H/T Gawker

Station Cuts Off World Cup for Weather

There are a number of fans in Elmira, NY that have been watching the World Cup for weeks.

Yesterday, was their Christmas, Birthday and all other holidays wrapped into one. The final game of the World Cup, featuring Germany and Argentina in what was sure to be a very close game.

Those fans sat down in front of the TV and were enjoying the final game to long process. With just 6 minutes left in the game the score was tied 0-0, the match was a nail biter down to the very end.

But, just then WENY in Elmira cut away from the soccer game for some breaking weather coverage.

In fact the station stayed on the air for the final 6 minutes of the game and viewers missed the winning goal of the World Cup by Germany. 

Needless to say, soccer fans went nuts on social media:

So Sad....But So True

Golf Channel Loses Hottie to Fox Sports

Most people watch the Golf Channel to see golf. Then there are those that watch for Holly Sonders.

Sonders exploded onto the golf channel with her skimpy golf outfits and her fun attitude. "she made golf news worth watching", said one golfer at a Florida club.

Sonders hosted 'Morning Drive' on the GC and appeared on a number of other shows as well. Without a doubt, she was the most popular talent on the channel.

"Was" being the keyword in that last line.

Word is that Sonders turned down Comcast's (Golf Channel's owner) latest contract offer and has left the network.

Sources say that she is headed to Fox Sports, but so far Fox Sports isn't saying anything.

Fox Sports took the US Open away from NBC and it is expected that Sonders will be part of Fox's new golf team covering the sport. 

Also, don't be surprised to see her pop up on the sideline in Fox's NFL coverage.

Stay tuned.... 

Calls for Fox News Host to Resign

Fox News Host Bob Beckel has basically pissed off all of China.

A Chinese TV station ran footage from Fox News on showing Beckel making a racial slur against Chinese people.

Social media across China has lit up after Beckel's comments were aired. 

Beckel made the comments on Thursday’s episode of the  The Five, Beckel said: “Chinese are the single biggest threat to the national security of the US … we bring them over here and teach a bunch of Chinamen – er, Chinese people – how to do computers and then they go back to China and hack into us.”

Deputy editor-in-chief Liang Jiawen of International Herald Leader urged public not to take it too seriously. “The anchor is simply a big mouth,” he commented.

But, at least one politician is calling for Beckel's resignation. 

“His [Beckel’s] comments have no place in America, and this is at least the second time he has used racial slurs,“ said Senator Ted Lieu of California  in a statement over the weekend. “He must resign immediately”.

Fox News has not commented so far on Beckel's comments. 

Chicago Reporter Gets View Tryout

A Reporter for WGN in Chicago is getting her shot to make the revamped 'The View' team at ABC.

WGN's 'Around Town' Morning News Reporter Ana Belaval will appear in the ABC talker tomorrow and it could lead to a seat along side Roise and Whoopi. 

“I am extremely flattered, I am excited [and] I’m nervous,” Belaval told WGN Radio. “I just see this as a one-time opportunity for more people to get to know me and to get to know another Latina who is making it out there, and another Chicagoan. Because you know I feel very much a part of Chicago as I do of my community.”

Stay tuned.... 

H/T Robert Feder