Category Archives: WESH-2

Fox 35 expands partnership with Mix 105.1 FM

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Some quick notes as we await the results of the May sweeps…

It appears Fox 35 has expanded its partnership with CBS-owned Mix 105.1 FM (WOMX). WOFL’s meteorologists have been giving weather forecasts for awhile on WOMX’s Morning Mix show. But now Fox 35 morning anchors are also supplying the news updates for the radio show. …

A bit weird. While all the Orlando stations broke into regular programming on Wednesday morning to show the final return of space shuttle Atlantis, WESH stayed with the Today show until the very last seconds of the shuttle’s approach. Seemed like even before the spacecraft rolled to a stop, it was back to Today. Sure, folks interested in the shuttle’s return had plenty of places to watch (including WESH’s morning newscast on CW 18), but I expected  WESH — with top space report Dan Billow — would have given it more coverage. …

You’re going to see a lot coverage for the opening of Harry Potter’s world at Universal Orlando. According to Orlando Sentinel TV Guy Hal Boedeker, NBC will present a half-hour special on the attraction’s opening on Sunday, June 6 at at 7 p.m. And  NBC’s Today show will be at the park on June 18 for the opening.

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Why Michelle Meredith is a great reporter

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Michelle Meredith

This happened a little more than a week ago, but I still wanted to mention it.

If there is an underrated reporter in Central Florida, I think ‘s WESH’s Michelle Meredith. The woman seems like a bulldog when she gets a  story.

You may remember, it was Meredith with her little video cam that caught former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich vacationing at Disney World while awaiting word on his indictment by a grand jury. This was after nearly every reporter in town was looking for him across the Disney resort.

Last week, Meredith — again with her video camera — was able to grab a quick chat with Vice President Joe Biden. It came in Philadelphia, where Meredith’s daughter was competing in a crew competition that also included the veep’s granddaughter. And Biden looked just as happy as Blago to see Meredith and her camera.

Did she break news with Biden? No, but it did give us some insight into how he spends his weekends. And honestly, if you are at an event with the vice president, aren’t you going to try to get an interview?

Click here to see WESH’s story and Meredith’s video.

And I’m sure Biden is thinking the interview with Meredith went much better than his last one with an Orlando media member.

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The Doctor is in: Dr. Oz visits WESH

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WESH's Jim Payne and Martha Sugalsky with Dr. Oz

WESH's Jim Payne and Martha Sugalski with Dr. Oz

The folks at WESH 2 received a house call from America’s favorite doctor last week.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the syndicated Dr. Oz show, was at WESH on Thursday. While visiting the station, he talked about his show, his book and met with some local folks. He even took time to pose for photos in the newsroom and with WESH 2 News anchor Jim Payne and Martha Sugalski.

Hearst’s Orlando duopoly double-pumps Dr. Oz each week day, at 9 a.m. on CW 18 and at 3 p.m. on WESH.

Click here to see a slide show from his visit to the Orlando station.

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Sabrina Fein leaves Fox 35; WESH adds more Aixa Diaz

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Sabrina Fine posing in Orlando Style magazine

Sabrina Fine posing in Orlando Style magazine

A couple of changes to report on the local news scene…

WOFL-Fox 35 meteorologist/traffic reporter Sabrina Fein – declared by some to be the “hottest” woman on Orlando TV — has left O-Town. Posting on her Facebook fan page on May 19, Fein wrote, “For all of you that are wondering and asking, I have decided to take a short break from the news business and refocus my career in Los Angeles. Thank you all for participating in this page and I am hopeful that you will still follow me and my career. Take care for now. – Sabrina xoxo.” Reading more comments on the page, it appears that WOFL wanted to move her off the weather beat. …

Continue reading →

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WESH looks at foreclosures during sweeps

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It’s the biggest story in our region, and probably doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.

I’m talking about the foreclosure crisis. Starting Sunday night, WESH 2 News will begin a series of five reports on the crisis and how it is impacting Central Florida and our economy.

According to a WESH news release …

“On Sunday, reporter Jeff Lennox kicks off the series with an overview of how individual counties in our region rank when it comes to foreclosures. On Monday, anchor/reporter Aixa Diaz looks at ‘the foreclosure next door,’ a report that offers advice for people on how to deal with neighborhood eyesores that are a result of abandoned homes. Tuesday reporter Claire Metz looks at foreclosures in the courts – and why many consider Florida’s system to be less efficient than many other states’. On Wednesday, reporter Dave McDaniel introduces WESH 2 News viewers to a couple with an important lesson to share with anyone considering buying a short sale property. And on Thursday, reporter Michelle Meredith shares essential information from local real estate experts on what viewers need to know before considering foreclosure.”

Look for the reports beginning Sunday at 11 and then continuing Monday-Thursday at 6 p.m. It’s good to see what appears to be a serious news series during sweeps — a welcome break from the usual sweeps servings of restaurant inspections, crime, etc.
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The early, early show at 4:30 — is it worth it?

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Broadcasting & Cable chronicles television news’ latest fad — the 4:30 a.m. newscast. Early, early birds in Orlando have two choices for their news that hour — WESH 2 and Fox 35. B&C quotes WESH’s GM about the new show:

While some may wonder who besides Red Bull-fueled nightcrawlers and bug-eyed insomniacs are up at 4:30, stations are finding revenue in that slot — and meeting mandates to be 24/7 local news outlets. “What stations do better than anyone is provide local news and weather,” says WESH-WKCF President/ General Manager Jim Carter, who launched a 4:30 March 30. “People want it when they want it, and the more we can be there when they want us, the better.”

Beyond wanting to provide the audience more information, the main reason for the new early shows: more revenue. B&C says the new 4:30 newscasts can deliver cash.

Ad rates aren’t princely pre-dawn. One market leader says 4:30 rates are 10%-15% of what the station gets for late news. A leading station in New York or Los Angeles might get $3,000 for a 30-second spot; everyone else, considerably less.  But advertiser interest is growing. “The 5 a.m. advertisers are taking a hard look at 4:30,” says WTVT VP/General Manager Bill Schneider. “The ratings aren’t something you can overlook.”

Read the full B&C story here.

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