ATWT Cancelled?!?!?!

[vchimpanzee]

I was in college when reagan was shot doing homework alone in my room and didn't know anything until the news wasn't on.

 

[mleach]

I was watching ABC the day Reagan was shot and believe
(after all it's been nearly 30 years and it didn't have quite the
impact of the JFK assassination--not on me, anyway) they
interrupted "One Life To Live" about 2:40. (Frank Reynolds'
"Let's get this straight! Let's get this nailed down so we can
report this accurately!" during the confusion over James Brady's
condition--or whether he was still alive--didn't come until after 5.)

Several years ago my then-program director, he actually met James Brady in the mid 80s at some function. Of course he mentioned to Brady about the way the number of news outlets had reported that he had died. Interesting from what Brady's people told my PD, the first TV station to announced the so-called death of James Brady wan't the networks but rather an independent station..Baltimore's WBFF-TV channel 45 who had broke into THE FLINTSTONES to make the announcement. Even more interesting, it took WBFF several hours to correct that bit of info ( WBFF taped their mini-newscasts back in those days ). None-the-less that goof hurt WBFF as within a few years WBFF had cut back their news to the point where..well it was just a slide of the Baltimore inner harbor and some voice-over guy reading stuff out of the paper. It would be around 1991 when WBFF would get back into the news game with "FOX 45 News at Ten". Today despite Sinclair's "woes" WBFF does quite well with their news in Baltimore, even though they are behind WBAL & WJZ, WBFF is really hurting WMAR in the news ratings there.

 

[searadiofreak]

The ABC Frank Reynolds outburst "let's get's this straight", seems to be lost. The words in print are tame, but his anger was quite apparent on the air. Can't find it on YouTube. But I do remember it was one of those "tv moments"...perhaps someone has it on video and can add it to YouTube, 'cause it was part of tv news history, no doubt.

 

[bpatrick]

Reynolds' anger was genuine but his words have not been
sanitized for print. He did not use any profanity during his
outburst.

 

[DToTheJ]

... the first TV station to announced the so-called death of James Brady wan't the networks but rather an independent station..Baltimore's WBFF-TV channel 45 who had broke into THE FLINTSTONES to make the announcement.

Baltimore-area kids called it the worst episode ever!

 

[ding12]

As for Oprah leaving the 4pm spot in many markets, yes, I would expect many markets to add news there. However, if a hot replacement comes on to the scene, maybe not. Time will tell. 4pm newcasts are hit or miss ratings-wise, but the lack of Oprah competition could change the playing field big-time.

I think that's possible. Some stations however that were running news at 4, against Oprah, might reverse back and slot programming again at 4. In Philadelphia, where it's Oprah vs. 4pm newscast vs. another 4pm newscast, I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast/NBC moved Ellen to 4, and KYW/CBS moved Dr. Phil, and the two would duke it out, in a time slot they never would have done before because Oprah ruled the hour. Some depends on what Disney/ABC has in mind for WABC, KABC, WPVI, and KGO which would likely make it to other markets albeit maybe at a different hour. In Chicago, Regis and Kelly could just move to WLS. Maybe Disney/Buena Vista deals for a comeback for Ricki Lake, or another celebrity. Last attempt was Tony Danza's show. In all likelihood however, it takes a number of years to build a show, and majority of the affiliates around the country that'd lose Oprah that don't have Ellen or Dr.Phil syndication rights, would probably just air news at 4.

As for daytime, hopefully CBS or the major CBS affiliates finds something somewhat useful to air to replace ATWT. Something better fitted than NBC's 'Deal or No Deal'