Shock Jock Brings Radio Commentary to Tampa TV

Bubba the Love Sponge

“Bubba the Love Sponge”–it’s a name hard to forget, even harder to stop listening to, as fans no doubt would testify.

Now those fans who enjoy listening to the shock jock in their cars can find him doing a slightly watered-down opinion on various issues, this time on television.

Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla., CBS affiliate WTSP will give Bubba —  once fined hundreds of thousands of dollars by the FCC — a chance to say his piece twice a week on the station’s 11 p.m. newscast.

Video after the jump:

Is 55 Too Old for TV News, Even if It’s Working for Your Rival?

WPBF Logo

Laurel Sauer (Courtesy: WPBF)

In the world of today’s high-definition, younger skewed broadcasting industry, is there any room for an on-air personality half a decade from 60?

You’re probably saying sure, if it’s a man, because the glass ceiling for anchors and reporters tends to end sooner for women than for the opposite sex.

But according to the Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce station WPBF is betting on Laurel Sauer, and betting big: she’s currently doing special reports for the station during the February sweeps period.

Former “Meet the Press” Moderator, New Orleans Journalist Dies

Bill Monroe (Courtesy: WWL-TV)

Bill Monroe, the Big Easy’s first news director  who later went on to work for NBC in Washington, D.C., died Thursday at the age of 90.

Monroe worked in radio and print journalism before making the jump to television, but did so without any previous experience. “It was the kind of thing that happened in those days,” Monroe told WWL-TV in a 1999 interview.

He was hired as WDSU-TV’s news director shortly after the station began broadcasting.

From WWL-TV:

His role as a pioneer in local television news was lauded by the Times-Picayune in a 1998 article: “What Murrow was to network TV, Monroe was to New Orleans TV: the journalistic standard-setter for generations of broadcasters.”

Monroe led WDSU’s early news staff as it covered the tumultuous times of the 1950s and 1960s, most notably through the period of school desegregation. Through weekly editorials, written and delivered by Monroe, the station stressed the importance of integrating New Orleans public schools, an unpopular stance at the time.

In later years, he became a Washington correspondent for NBC news and more famously as a producer/moderator of “Meet the Press.”

Services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C.

Memphis Reporter Cites Anonymous “Sources” for Murder Confession

Janice Broach (Courtesy: WMC)

WMC-TV

It’s a big no-no, and honestly, a Memphis station should know better.

But in a breaking news report on WMC-TV’s website earlier tonight, reporter Janice Broach said “sources” told the NBC affiliate about a man being held in custody in connection with post office shootings last year in Henning, Tenn., that killed two people.

The problem here is a thin line that exists for journalists: anything that isn’t sourced can’t be verified. Saying “sources” in a report is asking someone to trust you, when, if you got the information through the proper channels, you could quote the actual authorities involved.

I’m sure there’s more to this story than meets the eye, but this article highlights a big pet peeve of mine. Unless you work in Washington where power players pass rumors around like party favors (and the Beltway gossip is reportable fodder), don’t use anonymous sources. It doesn’t do your viewers justice, and in the case of WMC-TV, it seriously compromises your credibility.

/end rant

And yes, this is my opinion.

Popular Alabama Broadcaster Dies of Apparent Heart Attack

Paulette Miller (Courtesy: WBRC)

Well-known Alabama broadcaster Paulette Miller died Monday at WHOG-AM, where she worked as the news director.

The 53-year-old journalist apparently died of a heart attack, according to the coroner.

WFTV Reporter Gears Up for Philly Move

Kenneth Moton (Courtesy: WFTV)

A reporter from Orlando is moving up the broadcast ladder, leaving Orlando for Philadelphia in late March, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

ABC affiliate WFTV told the newspaper about Kenneth Moton’s future plans earlier this week.

From the Sentinel:

In an e-mail, Moton wrote, “WFTV has been such a great experience. I’ve worked hard, the station has invested in me, and the team at Channel 9 is one of the best in the business. I’m thankful for Bob Jordan and this station for taking a chance on me four years ago. I’m going to miss Central Florida and its great weather!”

Moton will be working at WPVI, the ABC affiliate in Philly. As he said, Moton was a reporter at WFTV for four years.

Gainesville News Director Calls It Quits

WCJB-TV

Industry insider Rick Gevers reports WCJB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Gainesville, Fla., will be looking for a new news director soon because current ND Brett Buell will be leaving.

Buell says he plans to wait until the end of the February ratings period to make his move.

He told staff members he plans to take time off to travel and concentrate on hobbies like underwater photography.

Buell was the news director at WCJB-TV for five years.

WLOX: Statewide Jackson Reporter Leaves for Vegas

Ashley Conroy (Courtesy: WLBT)

A tipster from  WLOX, ABC affiliate from the Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss. market, tells us that statewide reporter Ashley Conroy will be leaving to pursue a job in Las Vegas.

The person, who asked to be kept anonymous, says Conroy’s last day was today.

She was hired by WLBT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Jackson, in December 2009, according to her station bio.  Her reports were used statewide by WLOX and five other stations.

According to the email forwarded to South TV News, WLBT is already looking for a replacement.

A job posting for statewide reporter on WLBT’s website confirms the forwarded news tip.

As for where Conroy goes from here, the email says she’s headed back to her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, but doesn’t indicate what she’s going to be doing there.

Conroy covered stories of statewide interest for the NBC affiliate and several other stations.

Got more details? Let us know!

Icy Roads Cause La. News Van Rollover

Courtesy: Shelby County Today

Southeastern U.S. states have been bombarded by icy conditions in recent weeks. And despite the fact that local stations report the slippery situations as a way to help save lives (and gain viewers), it seems even the news vans themselves are not immune to the hazardous conditions.

Texas publication Shelby County Today reports a van/live truck from KTBS, the ABC affiliate for the Shreveport, La. area, was traveling south on Highway 96 when it lost control and slid across the highway’s northbound lanes and rolled over.

The driver was transported to a local hospital, but his injuries were not described in the publication, so there’s no indication if it was serious or not. State troopers are still investigating the accident.

Since winter still isn’t over yet, please remember: be careful on those roads. You don’t want to become part of the story.

FOX: Pay Us Or Lose Your Affiliation

FOX Logo

Some who’ve been in television news for decades can remember when affiliate stations were actually paid monthly by the networks. Today’s story turns that old practice right on its head.

Management with the FOX network said this week it may drop some affiliates if the local television stations there won’t pay FOX a percentage of what’s called “retrans,” or retransmission fees, according to Bloomberg.