WUAB to launch "First Alert Focus", a evening newscast devoted to local weather

[Nathan Obral]

Given the relative unpredictability of Northern Ohio weather, I'm surprised this hadn't been tried sooner: a half-hour nightly local newscast devoted entirely to weather.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1742332450678723004

It's no secret that WOIO-WUAB has largely led Gray Television's two-pronged push on both digital and OTA since the "19 News" relaunch in 2019. Gray's also doing a similar all-weather evening newscast at WBRC, their powerhouse in Birmingham, AL.

 

[radiofan2023]

How wild would it be if that weathercast ended up getting more viewers than the 7:00 newscast

 

[MediaLover]

This would now have 19 News at 7 on 43 competing with WKYC and WJW. Only WEWS doesn't have a local 7pm newscast.

I can see the all-weather newscast getting more viewers as well.

 

[snowdog88]

Not sure if this has anything to do with this First Alert Focus, but recently 19 News started showing off their updated traffic camera network, including a new tower cam from what appears to be installed on the former WUAB tower. (Cleveland skyline is way off to the right of the image, but they can probably remotely pan and zoom the camera).

 

[Nathan Obral]

How wild would it be if that weathercast ended up getting more viewers than the 7:00 newscast

No other station is programming local news at 7:30pm, so that wouldn't be too far off.

 

[vjm]

This would now have 19 News at 7 on 43 competing with WKYC and WJW. Only WEWS doesn't have a local 7pm newscast.

Well, TV 5 airs the Scripps News nightly newscast The Debrief at 7p, which is a mandate from the Scripps top men at a good chunk of their main network stations, so that's not gonna change any time soon.

I can see the all-weather newscast getting more viewers as well.

It will certainly test the theory about weather being the main attraction on newscasts.

 

[Santa fe]

It's a very admirable idea. I'll take a look at it. The weather channel tv is mostly useless for local weather anymore and I miss the talk about alberta clippers, cold fronts and winds aloft.

 

[radiofollower]

Much more useful than another game show or entertainment report telling us what Taylor Swift had for lunch.

 

[skiwest]

It's a very admirable idea. I'll take a look at it. The weather channel tv is mostly useless for local weather anymore and I miss the talk about alberta clippers, cold fronts and winds aloft.

And don't forget the polar vortex.

 

[vjm]

Much more useful than another game show or entertainment report telling us what Taylor Swift had for lunch.

I heard she's into Kansas City BBQ these days.

 

[TVWatcher23]

An all local weather segment? Awesome!

 

[skiwest]

Jeopardy has moved from 6:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

 

[vjm]

Jeopardy has moved from 6:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Jeopardy replaced Modern Family, which now airs a double shot at midnight.
Inside Edition also got bumped up a half hour, from 7p to 6:30p
Then the regular newscast airs at 7p, followed by First Alert Focus at 7:30p

 

[radiofan2023]

I heard she's into Kansas City BBQ these days.

Look what you made me barbecue….

 

[MediaLover]

I wish 43 treated their syndicated comedy shows better instead of burying them on undesirable hours.

 

[Northcoast43]

I wish 43 treated their syndicated comedy shows better instead of burying them on undesirable hours.

They've definitely gone a long way since their "Plays Favorites" days. No personality to the station whatsoever.