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Archive for the 'Boston' Category


Lamberty Dumped by 7, Randy Price Chuckles Quietly to Himself


Following two years at the 7News anchor desk, primary anchor Reid Lamberty was shown the door on Tuesday.  The move comes after several high-profile anchor shuffles at the station.  Speculation is rampant that the move was made due to flagging ratings in the key 6p.m. and 11p.m. timeslots.

Lamberty joined the NBC-affil in September 2011, replacing Frances Rivera.  He arrived in Boston following an impulsive move to Miami following a stint at Fox owned-and-operated station WNYW.

No word yet on the nomadic anchor’s next move or his replacement.


5 Making Moves at Both Dayparts


NewsCenter5 morning meteorologist J.C. Monahan is leaving the Eyeopener, according to WCVB.com.  Her new role will be co-host of nightly news-magazine Chronicle.  Her dayside replacement is former Fox25 morning met Cindy Fitzgibbon.

GM Bill Fine wasted no time showering praise upon both weather guessers, commenting, “JC is an extraordinarily talented journalist and was looking for a new challenge. Cindy is someone we long admired as a competitor and was looking for a return to local television after taking six months off to be with her family.”  He added, “The timing was incredibly fortunate for NewsCenter 5 and Chronicle, as this is a true perfect match in every way, for our viewers, JC and Cindy.”

If you may remember, Fitzgibbon left Fox25 six months ago to spend more time with her family.  No word yet on her first day at 5 TV Place.


Just In: Barreda Calling it Quits


Amalia Barreda has decided to leave NewsCenter5.  The twenty-one year veteran has decided to retire from the station at the end of June.  The news broke this morning on the station’s website.

Barreda remarked on her tenure at 5 TV Place, saying, “these 21 years have been a great ride, covering unforgettable stories with thoughtful, hard-working and talented people.”  She added, “This was a huge and hard decision to make, and it is bittersweet to leave so many of you who I consider family to spend more time with family.”

While at NewsCenter5, Amalia Barreda covered the O.J. Simpson trial, the sex-abuse scandal in the Church, among others.  She also won a Gabriel Award in 2001 for her story of a disabled Regis College student.


Monday Morning Video: Fond Farewell

Check out this video tribute to Victoria Block’s career from 7 News last week.  It includes Block’s on-air sign off following her retirement announcement.


Melissa Mack Out at ‘BZ


WBZ morning meteorologist Melissa Mack has left the station.  After a three-year stint with the network-owned duopoly, Mack abruptly signed off on Friday morning.

Mack remarked on her time on the morning shift, saying, “It’s been great. But the butt crack of dawn just hasn’t worked for me.  Just saying it.”  She did, however, remain mum on her next move.

Prior to joining WBZ in 2010, Mack worked at Cleveland Fox-affil WJW.


Hennessey Returns to Boston After Six Years in NYC


A familiar reporter is returning to Boston after a six year hiatus. Sean Hennessey, a reporter at 7 News until 2007, is leaving WCBS in New York for a job at Boston College.

A spokesperson for the station told FishbowlNY, “the WCBS family wishes Sean the best as he starts his new career as an associate editor of news and public affairs at Boston College.”

In addition to this new role, the 11-year veteran of channel 7 is also likely to take an adjunct professorship with the university.


Blown Up on Bulfinch: Anchor Arrangements Awry After Abysmal Audiences


Hot off the heels of the announcement of reporter Victoria Block’s retirement, multiple sources have informed btvn that 7News has reportedly decided to blow up their anchor teams.  The changes begin on Today in New England, where Christa Delcamp returns to the anchor desk, a spot that she occupied until 2007, when she was switched with the now-former 7er Anne Allred.  Newcomer Kayna Whitworth officially assumes co-anchor role in the morning.  The 2006 theme continues with Jeremy Reiner’s official return to the morning weather desk, a position he held until he was swapped with also now-former 7er Dylan Dreyer.  The more things change…

The changes continue into the afternoon, where Adam Williams will co-anchor First at 4:00, 4:30, and 5:30.  Rising star Sarah French will co-anchor the afternoon shows for the time being, until Amanda Grace returns, when she will switch over to the weekend evening shows.

The only slots not affected are at 6:00 and 11:00, where 7’s primary anchor team of Kim Khazei and Reid Lamberty will be spared.  Sources tell btvn that drastic changes were contemplated but because of strong 25-54 demographics, were left alone.

The musical chairs went into effect on Monday.


Breaking Block Bulletin: Victoria Vacates, Reporter Retiring


Longtime 7News reporter Victoria Block is retiring.  The veteran reporter announced today that she has decided to move on “Because I can :-) .”

Covering the “Crisis in the Church” from Vatican City, the September 11th Terrorist Attacks from New York City, among a host of other notables, Block oversaw a successful career that spanned more than three decades.

Prior to joining 7 in the late 1986, Block was a reporter at the now-defunct WHDH-AM (850).  UPDATE: Her last day at 7 will be March 19th (hat tip to TVSpy)


Shufflin’: ‘BZ Shakes Things Up in Three Timeslots

WBZ has played musical chairs with their anchors.  After eight years on the morning anchor desk, Paula Ebben will be moving to anchor The WBZ News at 5.  As a result, current 5 p.m. anchor Kate Merrill will shift to the weekend morning show.

In a move made on the eve of the start of the February ratings book, weekender Kerry Connolly will reprise her role as David Wade’s new co-anchor on The WBZ Morning News.  Connolly was a former morning show anchor at the station until 2004, when she was replaced by Paula Ebben.

The changes kick in on January 28th.  No word yet on who will be anchoring WBZ’s 10 p.m. newscast on myTV38.


Back in Action: Doug Meehan Jumps to KPNX Phoenix

Former Fox25 traffic reporter Doug Meehan has landed a new TV job in Phoenix.  The popular TV guy-turned-radio host announced late Wednesday night that he has taken a job with KPNX, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, where he will co-anchor the station’s morning newscast.

After being let go from the Fox O&O in 2010 after a local news service between Fox25 and WBZ grounded the station’s helicopter, Meehan resurfaced at FM talker WTKK where he hosted a talk show.  Following his departure from the station amid swirling rumors of a format change by owner Greater Media, Meehan teased a move back to TV.  His first day working mornings will be January 14th.