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Back in Action: Doug Meehan Jumps to KPNX Phoenix

Published by admin on December 28, 2012. 5 Comments

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.

Posted in Boston and WFXT (Fox25). Tags: , , .

NewsCenter5 Met David Brown Leaving

Published by admin on December 18, 2012. 10 Comments


Longtime NewsCenter5 weatherman David Brown will be leaving the station for a new role at the Forsyth Institute.  The seventeen year veteran will become the new Chief Advancement Officer at the independent oral health research institution.

‘CVB General Manager Bill Fine remarks in a press release,  ”David Brown has ably served Channel 5 and the Boston marketplace with great dedication through a variety of roles,” while News Director Andrew Vrees added, “David’s skill and unflappable style during major weather events has made him highly valued by viewers. David’s talents—across many aspects of our business—will be sorely missed.”

The popular meteorologist joined Channel 5 in 1995 from Hearst sister station WISN in Milwaukee.  After floating through several roles, Brown remarked, “I’m leaving WCVB with mixed emotions.  It has been my honor to have worked alongside the finest in broadcasting at the nation’s top station. I’m leaving to pursue an exciting opportunity at the Forsyth Institute, another Boston institution. I’m so grateful and thankful to all our viewers who have made me feel so welcomed in their homes.”

No word yet on his last day at the station, or his replacement.

Posted in Boston and WCVB (Channel 5). Tags: , , , .

The Southwest Import Continues: Fox25 Brings In Weekender Mahan

Published by admin on December 10, 2012. 1 Comment

Fox25 has announced the hiring of New Mexico anchor Melissa Mahan.  Mahan will co-anchor alongside Heather Hegedus on the weekend edition of the Fox25 News.

Fox25 News Director and Vice President Paul McGonagle remarked, “Bringing experience as both an Anchor and a Reporter, Melissa is a tremendous addition to FOX25 News,” adding, “It’s a pleasure to welcome her back to the area to cover news important to New England viewers.”

Mahan, who left NewsCenter5 sister station KOAT late last month, previously worked at WLNE in Providence.  No word on her start date.

Posted in Boston and WFXT (Fox25). Tags: , , , , .

The Doctor is Out: Dr. Tim Johnson To Retire from 5

Published by admin on December 10, 2012. 0 Comments

After forty years at 5 TV Place, Dr. Tim Johnson is retiring from NewsCenter5.  The nationally-known medical reporter has decided to step down from his post.

“Forty years is a nice, round number, and I’m 76. I don’t want to feel any responsibility to the daily news anymore,” he told the Herald on Friday.

A member of the NewsCenter5 staff since the station’s sign-on in 1972, Dr. Johnson was also a fixture at the network from 1975 until his departure in 2010.

If you recall, Dr. Tim Johnson is the long remaining medical reporter on the local airwaves following the departures of Dr. Mallika Marshall from WBZ and Dr. Deanna Lites from WHDH in the past few years.  Dr. Johnson will retire at the end of the year.

Posted in Boston and WCVB (Channel 5). Tags: , , .

Anne Allred Abdicates Anchorship, Signs in St. Louis

Published by admin on November 18, 2012. 36 Comments


7News morning anchor Anne Allred is done at the NBC-affil.  The six-year veteran reported on her Twitter that she had accepted a job in St. Louis.

“After 6 yrs at #7news I am moving on to work in my hometown of St. Louis at #KSDK I am forever grateful to all the viewers. I’ll miss Bos!!”

After arriving on Bulfinch Place in 2006 from the ABC and Fox duopoly in Columbus, Ohio, Allred was quickly promoted to weekday mornings.  Along with fellow former-weekender Adam Williams, Allred oversaw the expansion of the morning newscast as well as the addition of a third anchor.

No word on her start date in St. Louis.

Posted in Boston and WHDH (7NBC).

7 Swipes from the Southwest: Whitworth Will Work Weekends

Published by admin on November 13, 2012. 0 Comments


7News has announced that they have hired a new weekend morning anchor.  Kayna Whitworth, currently with Tucson CBS-affil KOLD, will join the station as weekday reporter and weekend anchor.

Whitworth has spent the past two years in Tucson, where she joined in 2010 from a station in Idaho.  No word yet on her arrival on Bulfinch Place.

 

Posted in Boston and WHDH (7NBC). Tags: , .

Just In: Fox25 Replaces Cindy with Shiri

Published by admin on November 13, 2012. 3 Comments


Fox25 has finally named a replacement for departed morning met Cindy Fitzgibbon.  Shiri Spear, formerly of Miami’s WTVJ (NBC/6), has been hired at the Dedham-based O&O.

Spear was lauded by 25 news director Paul McGonagle, remarking in a statement, “Shiri brings an abundance of knowledge and experience in forecasting New England weather,” adding, “She will be a great addition to the FOX25 weather team and we’re happy to welcome her back to her hometown.”

The New England native will join the Fox25 Morning News on November 19th.  She replaces Cindy Fitzgibbon, who left the station in September to “take a breather.”

Posted in Boston and WFXT (Fox25). Tags: , , , .

Just In: New ND at 12

Published by admin on November 2, 2012. 0 Comments


Providence CBS-affil WPRI has promoted Karen Rezendes to News Director.  Rezendes, who has served in capacity of Assistant News Director as well as Manager of Special Projects during her time at the Rhode Island duopoly, replaces Joe Abouzeid, who left for LIN TV sister station WDTN earlier this year.  WPRI and WNAC GM Patrick Wholey released the following statement:

For the past sixteen years, Karen has played a key role in successfully growing our Eyewitness News ratings. She’s a great leader and possesses an incredible news instinct.  Karen has been instrumental in developing and growing our Target 12 investigative brand and our Eyewitness News brand across all platforms. She’s the perfect person to continue the momentum and success of our news stations and will continue to provide viewers with the high quality of news coverage they’ve come to expect from Eyewitness News.

Karen Rezendes has been with WPRI and WNAC since 1996.  She previously worked at Newport News/Virginia Beach CBS-affil WTKR.

Posted in Providence and WPRI (Eyewitness News). Tags: , , , , .

First on btvn: Mish Michaels Re-Appears on (Newly Graphic-ed) 5

Published by admin on October 29, 2012. 4 Comments


Former WBZer Mish Michaels has reappeared on NewsCenter5.  The popular met joined the station today to report on Hurricane Sandy.

Michaels, a veteran of the Boston TV market, left channel 4 last year.  No word yet on her capacity at the station.

Posted in Uncategorized.

Just In: Piette Retires, 4 Brings in Lund

Published by admin on October 17, 2012. 2 Comments

WBZ and TV38 general manager Ed Piette is retiring on Friday after six years with the network-owned duopoly.  The man responsible for dumping the poorly received CBS4 branding is calling it quits after forty-three years in the business, according to TVSpy.

His successor, former NBC O&O bigshot Mark Lund, will be stepping in beginning next week.  Lund, the son of former CBS president Peter Lund, told B&C, “I am honored to have this terrific opportunity to rejoin CBS and come back to the stations where I got my start and an area that my wife Amy, a Boston College grad, and I have long considered our home.”

Lund began his television career as an intern at WBZ in the 1980s.

Posted in Boston and WBZ (WBZ-TV4). Tags: , , , .