WCBS changes channel at WLNY
THE TRANSFORMATION of Long Island-based WLNY/CH. 10/55 under the ownership of CBS begins today.
Months from now, when a three-phase transition is over, the station will have a nightly newscast anchored by Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler, a new morning newscast, HD programming and a new feel.
“It’s good not only for viewers of WLNY, but also viewers in New York City,” says Ch. 2 general manager Peter Dunn, who heads the CBS Stations Group.
The deal was announced in December. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. With FCC approval in hand, CBS took ownership on Friday.
As part of the merger, Betty Ellen Berlamino, former general manager of WPIX/CH.11, has been named vice president and station manager.the station aired its final 11 p.m. newscast under the previous owners last Thursday night.
Starting today, all Ch. 10/55 programming will be offered in HD, something WLNY hasn’t had before.
In July, Ch. 10/55 will add a 9 p.m. one-hour newscast anchored by Wragge and Tyler and featuring weathercaster Lonnie Quinn and sportscaster Otis Livingston. Richard Rose, who had been Ch. 10/55’s primary anchor, also will be on the 9 p.m. news, based in Long Island.
None of the other primary on-air staff at Ch. 10/55 were picked up.
In July, the station also will begin airing a two-hour newscast at 7 a.m. that will include Ch. 2 regulars John Elliott, on weather, and sportscaster Lisa Kerney.
WCBS News director David Friend, who oversees news for CBS Stations Group, said the morning newscast will “be unique to the market,” though he declined to discuss specifics. Additional on-air talent for the show will be named soon.
“It’s going to be a fresh new program,” Friend said of the morning report.
All the newscasts will emanate from Ch. 2’s W. 57th St. studios.
“It can be a positive, in providing more variety,” says Bill Carroll, vice president at the Katz Television Group, of the move. “It could be a positive in that the current news operation [at Ch. 10/55] is relatively small. There’s a possibility that having the resources of not only WLNY but WCBS could be a real positive in terms of the focus and resources brought to bear in coverage of Long Island.”
Rose, who also will have a weekly public affairs show, will be based on Long Island with current Ch. 2 reporters Jennifer Mclogan and Carolyn Gussoff. It’s also possible that WCBS radio could station a reporter in the Long Island office.
Ch. 2 will have vehicles for live remote broadcasts, either trucks or Mobile 2 setups, on Long Island, giving WLNY its first true live remote capacity. All Ch. 2 trucks also will display the WLNY logo.
Says Friend, “It’s a once-in-a lifetime experience in the New York market to create a new TV station.”