Cable Nets Try to Spin the Ratings

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Fox News sent out emails to some of the websites that they know will buy into their spin, touting the fact that their ratings were up double digits in the May book.

One website, buying the Fox News spin wrote, "FNC is up a whopping +42 percent vs. May 2014 in the A25-54 demo."

But, what neither the website or Fox News would say is that the May 2014 ratings was the worst rating book that FNC had in the past 13 years. 

FNC's May 2014 were their worst since August 2001. In May 2014, every Fox program in primetime dropped by double-digits, with Bill O'Reilly taking the deepest dive. Sean Hannity posted some of his lowest numbers ever in his then new 10:00 pm time slot.

Now FNC touts out that their ratings are up in May 2015 over the past year. Of course they are, May 2014 was one of the worst rated months ever for Fox News. 

It's all about the spin.

Fox was not the only one to spin the numbers. CNN had an awful May 2014 as well. Yet there was that website that regurgitates whatever the network PR people tell them, writing, "May 2015 Ratings: CNN Up 55% Vs. Last Year."

May 2015 was a month that had riots in Baltimore and a number of other big stories. There was little doubt that CNN and Fox News were going to see the numbers increase over May 2014. Last May was one of the worst rated months for both networks.

Bill O'Reilly calls his show the no spin zone, but as we can clearly see, the spin is on full cycle at both Fox News and CNN. 

Just saying.... 

Reporter Tries to Interview Dead Guy

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A TV Reporter in Brazil was on the scene of a shooting doing interviews. He talked to the cops and one of the suspects handcuffed on the ground.

He then tried to talk to one of the victims, but there was one small problem. The person was dead and do not answer the Reporter's questions.

Let's go to the video:

Shocking footage shows horrifying moment oblivious reporter tried to interview dead person at crime scene -Journalist tried to interview a dead man after a police chase - Reporter in Brazil tries to interview dead man. (VIDEO) This is the horrifying moment a bungling reporter tried to interview a dead man - and only realised when he didn't reply to his questions.

Just When You Thought it was Over

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We haven't heard the name Casey Anthony in quite awhile and many may have hoped to never hear the name again. 

But, now word is that NBC News is looking for a ratings pop and has met with Casey Anthony about doing something with the network.

Anthony, who in 2011 was acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, was flown first class by NBC to New York last Thursday. She was accompanied by Don Wood, a veteran news producer who works for NBC in Florida and also writes and produces reality TV programming.

Anthony and Wood were photographed arriving at JFK and waiting for a limo into the city.

Sources confirmed to Page Six that Anthony then met with NBC News’ top booker, Matt Zimmerman , at the Peacock Network’s 30 Rock headquarters. Zimmerman is the senior booking producer for “Today,” but insiders say he oversees a booking unit that also works across all NBC News shows.

A rep for NBC News declined to comment, but an insider said, “News divisions meet with people in the news all the time — as of now, nothing is planned.”

Other sources say Anthony, who’s bankrupt and living in West Palm Beach, Fla., is seeking a big-bucks deal for her first sit-down since the acquittal.

H/T Page Six

Oops! I Think That Came Out Wrong

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As you may know, FTVLive is a huge fan of the Today Show in Australia. They have some of the funniest clips coming out of that show.

Here is another classic.

The show was interviewing a group of men that have grown beards to bring awareness  to skin cancer.

Co-Anchor Lisa Wilkinson, then said that she might grow a beard as well in her jeans.

Of course she meant in was in her genes, but it did not come out that way and everyone lost it. 

Let's go to the clip:

SHOP NOW: https://www.thebeardedchap.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeardedChap TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thebeardedchap INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/thebeardedchap/ READ BLOG: http://www.thebeardedchap.com/beard-blog-1/ill-grow-a-beard-its-in-my-jeans/ JOIN THE CAUSE: http://beardseason.com.au/ Check out this hilarious video from channel's Nines Today show. Karl looses it after LIsa Wilkinson says "She'll grow a beard, its in here genes"!

Uh Oh....

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Yesterday FTVLive told you that WLTX (Columbia,SC) Reporter Amicia Ramsey was really excited to coverage a hurricane this year.

She took to Twitter and said that she hoped she got the chance to cover a storm. 

We pointed out that we really did not think it was a very wise thing to tweet. While a hurricane might look good on your demo reel, it also is utter hell for the people in the path of the storm. 

As FTVLive pointed out this morning after we posted the story, Ramsey blocked FTVLive on Twitter.

Well, now it appears that her bio has been scrubbed from the station's website and she has also taken the station call letters off of her twitter page (photo right). 

Uh oh.....

Like We Said.....

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Remember yesterday, when FTVLive FIRST reported that WKMG General Manager Skip Valet was out the door of the Orlando station.

Finally, Today the other websites and newspapers got around to reporting the news that FTVLive FIRST brought you. Of course, each one of them gave FTVLive credit for first breaking the news.

What? Wait. 

No of them did that.

Valet cited low ratings as the reason he is out the door. In a memo to the staff, he wrote, "WKMG is becoming more competitive, but not fast enough. So, with regret, it's time for me to step aside and let someone else lead the team. "

He added that Emily Barr, president of WKMG owner Graham Media Group,"has assured me the process of identifying and hiring a new General Manager will begin immediately."

Look for the job to be filled soon and then look for more changes at the struggling O-Town station. 

Changes Going Down at Cleveland Station

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FTVLive FIRST told you yesterday that WOIO (Cleveland) was parting ways with main Weather Anchor Jeff Tanchak.

We now hear that News Anchor George Smith (picture) has also been told his contract is not being renewed. Smith has been at the station since January 2013 and anchors the 4:30 and 5:30PM newscasts.

FTVLive also FIRST told you that that the station is changing their brand from "19 Action News" to "Cleveland 19 News" in August.

The brand change is supposed to be top secret and not out yet, so please do us a favor and don't tell anyone yet.

OK? 

Blocking the Messenger

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You've heard the old saying, "Don't shoot the messenger," well in these current times, you don't shoot, you just block. 

Yesterday, FTVLive told you that WLTX (Columbia, SC) Reporter Amicia Ramsey is really, really excited that Hurricane Season is here. She has high hopes that she gets to cover one this season. She tweeted this out:

We pointed out that wishing for a hurricane to hit just so you can put on a ball cap and soggy socks, is really not a good message to send out on social media.

While it was a stupid move made by a green Reporter, she followed it up by blocking FTVLive from viewing her Twitter account. 

Oh Amicia...you just don't get it do you?

Also, if you think that is the only Twitter account we have, then we really feel sorry for you. We checked her account this morning and she deleted the hurricane tweet. 

She did post this as a follow up to the hurricane tweet that she since deleted:

I'm guessing they might be lacking in common sense where she comes from as well.

Just saying.... 

Hammer Time

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Seattle cops busted a man that was smashing cars with a hammer and many of the vehicles the man damaged belonged to employees of KCPQ in Seattle. 

KCPQ Anchor David Rose went out to the parking lot and confronted the man as another staff shot video on his iPhone. 

Rose continued to follow the guy until cops came and took him down.

Let's go to the video:

New ND Named in the Music City

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FTVLive was the FIRST to tell you back in March that WSMV News Director News Director Matthew Hilk was out the door at the Meredith owned station.

Now, the Nashville station has gotten around to naming Hilk's replacement.

Jim Gilchriest, who has been the ND at WAVY for the past 4 years is headed to WSMV later this month. 

Before WAVY, Gilchriest  spent four years as an ND for KTVB in Boise. 

Summer Moves

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The NWT Group has a number of their clients moving into new gigs. Here is a list of some of their clients latest moves:

ANDREW DOUD joins the NASCAR team at Fox Sports 1 in Charlotte, NC as a reporter and fill-in anchor from a reporter at WFST in Tampa. 

NESTOR FLECHA is named Chief Meteorologist at KXTX/Telemundo in Dallas. 

JOHNNY ARCHER becomes the new weekend anchor at KXAS in Dallas from reporter at that NBC O & O. 

CHRIS HOPPER to reporter at WXIA in Atlanta from reporter Bay News 9 in Tampa. 

MARISELA BURGOS joins WFTS in Tampa as a reporter from WXIN in Indianapolis as a reporter. 

CORRINA PYSA jumps 124 markets to anchor/reporter at WEWS in Cleveland, OH from anchor/reporter at WBOC in Salisbury, MD. 

GREG DEE jumps 37-markets to meteorologist at WKYC in Cleveland, OH from Meteorologist at KARK in Little Rock, AR. 

ANN MARIE LAFLAMME moves to her hometown of Detroit as anchor/reporter at WXYZ from reporter/anchor at WXMI in Grand Rapids, MI.  

SANIKA DANGE jumps 116 markets to become the weekend anchor at WPBF in West Palm Beach, FL from the morning anchor at WJHG in Panama City, Fl. 

AMY YENSI heads to CBS O&O WJZ in Baltimore as a reporter from MMJ at News 12 in New York City. 

RYAN O’DONNELL is named evening anchor at WATE in Knoxville, TN from weekend morning anchor, KTVK, Phoenix. 

NORMA GARCIA renews her contract as an anchor/reporter at KXTX/Telemundo in Dalllas. 

MARIE SAAVEDRA enters into a new agreement as a reporter at WFAA in Dallas. 

STEVEN FISHER jumps 23 markets to WPXI in Pittsburgh, PA as a general assignment reporter from reporter at WHTM in Harrisburg, PA. 

LAURA KENNEDY joins WISH in Indianapolis as a reporter from reporter/fill-in anchor at KOLR/KOZL in Springfield, MO. 

BRIAN ABEL jumps 85 markets to MMJ at KSHB in Kansas City from anchor/producer at WDAZ in Grand Forks, ND. 

EVAN JOHNSON joins WISH-TV in Indianapolis as a reporter/mmj from WBIR-TV in Knoxville, TN. 

RYAN WOLF moves to evening anchor at KABB in San Antonio. He was promoted within Sinclair Broadcasting from anchor at KGBT in Harlingen, TX. 

BRIANA CONNER joins WXII in Greensboro, NC as a weekend morning anchor/reporter from the weekend anchor at WPSD in Paducah, KY. 

PATRICIA SANTOS moves to reporter at KOCO in Oklahoma City from reporter/mmj at KJRH in Tulsa. 

KATIE MCKEE to reporter at WJAX in Jacksonville, FL from anchor/reporter at WIS in Columbia, SC. 

IRA CRONIN moves closer to home as morning anchor at KOAA in Colorado Springs, CO from morning anchor/reporter/sports anchor at WCNC in Charlotte, NC. 

LA’TASHA GIVENS moves up 35 markets to freelance reporter at WXIA in Atlanta from anchor/reporter at KFOR in Oklahoma City, OK. 

FELICIA BOLTON moves up 87 markets to be the weekend anchor/reporter at WMC in Memphis from the morning anchor/reporter at KTVE-TV in Monroe, LA. 

REBECCA SCHLEICHER moves to reporter at WTVF in Nashville from reporter/fill-in anchor at KOKH in Oklahoma City. 

BEN KATKO renews his contract as a reporter at WXIX in Cincinnati. 

CLAIRE CROUCH to weekend anchor/reporter at WLEX in Lexington, KY from morning anchor at KSWO in Lawton, OK. 

STACEY SKRYSAK moves to WICS in Springfield, IL as main anchor from noon and 4pm anchor at WAND-TV in Decatur, IL. 

TIM WRONKA to mmj/reporter at WBBH in Fort Myers, FL from reporter/fill-in anchor at WRIC in Richmond, VA. 

JEFF BUTERA signs a new contract as main anchor/reporter at WZVN in Fort Myers, FL. 

ALANNA QUILLEN moves to evening anchor/reporter at KTBS in Shreveport, LA from anchor/reporter at KARD/KTVE in Monroe, LA. 

RUSTY SURETTE will be joining KBTX in Bryan, TX as an anchor/reporter. He is currently an executive producer/fill-in reporter and anchor at KWTV in Oklahoma City. 

METEOROLOGIST HALLIE SHULMAN signs a new agreement KCTV in Kansas City. 

DAVE FROEHLICH signs a new agreement as morning anchor at KTBC in Austin. 

KENNY LOPEZ renews as an MMJ at WGNO in New Orleans. 

JENNA BROWDER signs a new agreement as main anchor at KNOE in Monroe, LA. 

LEXIE COOK was promoted to morning anchor and signed a new contract at KLTV in Tyler, TX. 

ANDY CUNNINGHAM renews as reporter at WDSU in New Orleans. 

JESSICA WHEELER signs a new agreement as reporter at WWMT in Grand Rapids, MI. 

All of these journalists are represented by The NWT Group, No Whining Talent. For more information, please visit our website: www.NoWhiningTalent.com or contact us at 817-987-3600.

News Photographer Caught Horsing Around

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This News Photographer was caught on camera horsing around on the job while he should have been working:

It's been a while since I laughed so hard I cried. That streak is now over.

Posted by Ryder on Friday, February 27, 2015

Dumped Houston Reporter Back on Camera

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Former KRIV Reporter Maria Corrales was dumped from the station back in April. But, she is now back on camera.

She is not reporting, but she's on the other side of the news. 

Corrales is the new public information officer (PIO) of Harris County Precinct 6.

"So last night was my first interview on the other side of the media world," she said on her Instagram.

If I was her, the next time KRIV called for comment, I would put them on hold and never come back.

But that's just me.