Monday, September 28, 2009

So Long David Aldrich

As you may have already read online or in the Philadelphia Inquirer--FOX 29 is bidding a farewell to meteorologist David Aldrich. Unfortunately, management declined to renew his contract which makes one wonder, WHY? Was it viewer surveys, which can be one reason for a non-renewal. Was he a "difficult employee"? Maybe a cost-cutting move? Or, just to plain--make room for former channel 6 weather gal, formerly from WNBC in New York, Sally Ann Mosey?
I can't say I understand FOX 29's logic, first--letting Rob Guarino go for the lackluster/has-been John Bolaris. Did Bolaris rise the meter rating of FOX 29 News? "Nadda!" In today's television news world, it's rare for the move of talent from one station to another to make a rating blip in the radar...and same goes for Bolaris, formerly of NBC10 who came to FOX from New York's WCBS. In my opinion, FOX 29 made a huge mistake in letting go Guarino. He was a true weather freak--and it showed in his forecasts. He was the one responsible for ramping up FOX 29's weather coverage, then came Aldrich who also jumped in to make FOX 29 the local station to turn to for an accurate forecast, especially in the hard-to-forecast winter season!
Now the news comes that Aldrich follows Guarino out the door as well. SHAME ON FOX 29 MANAGEMENT...nothing against Sally Ann Mosey (because I actually like her and look forward to seeing her on our local air again)--but--you've lost this viewer's confidence for sure!
I can't help but wonder that Sue Serio will be the next victim of the ax!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

WPVI debuts their new digs


"Impressed" would be my word to describe WPVI's new facilities. You too can see the new facilities here in a 16 minute tour given by Matt O'Donnell and David Murphy. The tour shows the lobby, newsroom, accuweather office, microwave control room, studio/set and the "Action News Patio" overlooking Monument Road. The new set is quite impressive as well! The crystal city skyline is to the left rear of the anchor desk...the accuweather set to the right, as before. "...Alot sleeker looking all-in-all..." as evidenced by the debut on-air tonight, during the 11 o'clock newscast...shown at about 11:44 p.m. after Nascar on ABC. Adam Joseph broadcast the first outside weather teaze from a new outdoor locale as well. No more weather off City Avenue with the "honkers" driving by in the background. Also new, the "7 day Accuweather forecast"...where the 5 day graphic is displayed as before. Then, instead of the former "look ahead" graphic, the 5 day graphic now expands to "day 6 and day 7", taking up the full screen, to allow the talent to walk back to the anchor desk from the green screen.
Rob Jennings got the honor of christening the anchor chair--putting Action News on their newest journey in broadcast journalism.