Scripps is readying another in-house syndication project for its TV stations, and the next one is coming to the company’s ABC affiliate in Cleveland, WEWS/5, soon.
“The Now” is already airing on two of the company’s stations – Denver ABC affiliate KMGH/7 and Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB/41. (The picture is from the KMGH website, with Denver local anchor Lionel Bienvenu, who has been a sports anchor.)
So, what is “The Now”…or as stylized by Scripps, “The NOW”? Let’s let them describe it:
The fast-moving locally produced news program covers news that is trending on social media and invites the audience to join the conversation across traditional and digital media platforms.
The NOW features news and information but is not a newscast. Viewers will engage, share and interact constantly throughout the hour-long program. The show includes a mix of local, national and international news, viral videos, and entertainment and lifestyle stories. Each local market will work in tandem with a national desk, based at KMGH in Denver, to share what’s trending across social media sites at that moment and over that day, as well as what to expect in the days ahead. The program also creates opportunities for breaking news and weather during the 4 p.m. timeslot.
“The NOW” premieres September 8th in Cleveland, in that aforementioned 4 PM weekday time slot.
Remember, that Dr. Oz got bounced out of the time slot (his second daily airing) after very poor ratings, and the in-house video clip show “RightThisMinute” is basically keeping the 4 PM time slot warm on WEWS until September.
OMW hears that Channel 5 is auditioning potential local anchors for the show…some from within 3001 Euclid, and others from outside Cleveland.
“The NOW” is the third Scripps in-house production to replace outside syndication.
WEWS already airs “The List” (with local reporter Mike Brookbank contributing Cleveland segments) and the Skype-fueled game show “Let’s Ask America”. The two shows replaced “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” after Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Alex Trebek moved to Raycom CBS affiliate WOIO/19.
We hear that Scripps is happy with “The List”, but a profile of comedian Bill Bellamy in the Arizona Republic notes that he’s taking over hosting duties the other Scripps show, “Let’s Ask America”:
August will be especially busy for Bellamy, as he also starts taping Season 3 of the quiz show “Let’s Ask America,” taking over from two-year host Kevin Pereira. Also in syndication, the show features contestants fielding questions on pop culture via their webcams.
“People will be Skyping from all over the world,” Bellamy says. “I’m working my butt off, but this show is a lot of fun. It’s gonna remind people of how funny I am as a host.”
And we mentioned the previous occupant of the 4 PM weekday time slot on WEWS, “Dr. Oz”…the good doctor apparently wasn’t in demand in a second daily TV house call.
The Cleveland-born Dr. Mehmet Oz moves his practice this fall over to Tribune Fox affiliate WJW/8 “Fox 8”.
Another Cleveland name, though, will be competing with himself in what we’re told is a rare arrangement.
We hear that “The Steve Harvey Show” will air this fall at 3 PM on Channel 5… right up against the Harvey-hosted “Family Feud” on Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3.
We previously reported that “Feud” will slim to one 3 PM airing on Channel 3 this fall, paired with Craig Ferguson’s “Celebrity Name Game” at 3:30…
I know Profit = Revenue – Cost, and The List and Let’s Ask America look to be really cheap to produce. Does anyone know what kind of ratings WEWS is pulling in with these shows? Just wondering if their strategy of dumping syndicated programming for these lower-quality (in my opinion) shows is paying off financially. It would be ironic if with pathetic ratings they were actually ahead on the balance sheet because the shows are so cheaply produced.
Well if “the NOW” is anything like ‘right this minute’ it will be another 30 minutes of mindless drivel on TV….not that anything else on the tube is any better. I guess I can’t fault TV producers for chasing the latest technical fad in the arena of social media. It is just another reason I think three times before viewing any programming on the over the air media. Trash for the brains of Americans who should be spending more time educating themselves about our nation’s Constitution and how those in our government are violating their oaths to protect and defend it.