The Newsroom

CBSN LOCAL - CBS to accelerate local channels nationwide

Chicago and other major cities to get CBSN Local channels by 2020 (June 2019)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
RK
Rkolsen
NYTV posted:
mark posted:
CBSN seems to be really struggling as a result of the issues at the CBS broadcast center. They've been stimulating various local CBSN channels for days now.

Not sure why they haven't been able to get a normal service on air from a backup location - and also not sure why it's still an issue when CBS This Morning was back on air from the studio next door to CBSN's today.

Fair play to CBS, they are still operating in a limited capacity. It’s been reported that both CBS and NBC told staff to work remotely.


Yeah, they’re doing social distancing at most stations. Field reporters are not allowed inside and have to meet the crews outside the station or at the live shot. Some stations are preempting sports (not much to report) and weather is being done remotely thanks to VPNs and Remote Desktops. One station has requested their sports anchor to quarantine so he will be healthy in case local anchors or reporters get sick.

8 days later

MO
Mouseboy33
CBSN Chicago which was due to launch this month is still planned to go on air. But may be delayed due to COVID19. The Chicago CBS O&O is the largest market still not to have launched a local version of the CBSN branded streaming channels.

28 days later

MO
Mouseboy33
CBSN Chicago finally launched quietly today. Unlike the channels in NY, LA and Boston, the Chicago channel does not have any original anchored content. Apparently for now it will only feature newscast replays. WBBM the CBS O&O in Chicago hasnt been a strong CBS station for decades since their dalliance with a bloody tabloid news format in the early 90s. The station never recovered. So this neutered CBSN channel and CBS News skipping WBBM as source to use for their transient Weekend News, speaks to the fact that the station isnt really a lynchpin in the affiliate system for CBS. Now that CLTV the long time 24hr news channel for Chicagoland is no longer, this could have been the opportunity for CBSN Chicago to step into that role, but again WBBM cant get it done.

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From Media writer Rober Feder

Quote:
With little fanfare, CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 today launched a 24/7 streaming news service featuring content recycled from the station’s local newscasts.

Branded as CBSN Chicago, it’s the ninth market since December 2018 to unveil a CBSN Local franchise under CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive. (Here is the link.) It follows similar rollouts in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Denver and Pittsburgh.

Calling it “the beginning of a terrific new chapter in CBS Chicago’s history,” Derek Dalton, president and general manager of CBS 2, said in a statement: “We are excited to broaden the reach of our local news coverage by launching CBSN Chicago and making our content available to consumers whenever and wherever they want to watch.

“Based on the success of the other CBSN Local services that have previously launched, it is clear the demand for streaming news is strong and growing. We are grateful for all the support we have received from CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive and look forward to all of us working together to make CBSN Chicago a driver of our future success.”

Earlier CBS 2 had announced plans to roll out CBSN Chicago by the end of March. But the coronavirus shutdown delayed the launch until today.

No word yet on when the service will expand to include original local programming, live breaking news coverage and archived, on-demand local news content, as initially envisioned.

CBSN Chicago is available through CBSN, on CBSNews.com and on the CBS News apps for mobile and connected TV devices. In addition, the service is available through www.CBSChicago.com and the CBS Local mobile app.
CI
cityprod
Mouseboy33 posted:
CBSN Chicago finally launched quietly today. Unlike the channels in NY, LA and Boston, the Chicago channel does not have any original anchored content. Apparently for now it will only feature newscast replays. WBBM the CBS O&O in Chicago hasnt been a strong CBS station for decades since their dalliance with a bloody tabloid news format in the early 90s. The station never recovered. So this neutered CBSN channel and CBS News skipping WBBM as source to use for their transient Weekend News, speaks to the fact that the station isnt really a lynchpin in the affiliate system for CBS. Now that CLTV the long time 24hr news channel for Chicagoland is no longer, this could have been the opportunity for CBSN Chicago to step into that role, but again WBBM cant get it done.

*

From Media writer Rober Feder

Quote:
With little fanfare, CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 today launched a 24/7 streaming news service featuring content recycled from the station’s local newscasts.

Branded as CBSN Chicago, it’s the ninth market since December 2018 to unveil a CBSN Local franchise under CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive. (Here is the link.) It follows similar rollouts in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Denver and Pittsburgh.

Calling it “the beginning of a terrific new chapter in CBS Chicago’s history,” Derek Dalton, president and general manager of CBS 2, said in a statement: “We are excited to broaden the reach of our local news coverage by launching CBSN Chicago and making our content available to consumers whenever and wherever they want to watch.

“Based on the success of the other CBSN Local services that have previously launched, it is clear the demand for streaming news is strong and growing. We are grateful for all the support we have received from CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive and look forward to all of us working together to make CBSN Chicago a driver of our future success.”

Earlier CBS 2 had announced plans to roll out CBSN Chicago by the end of March. But the coronavirus shutdown delayed the launch until today.

No word yet on when the service will expand to include original local programming, live breaking news coverage and archived, on-demand local news content, as initially envisioned.

CBSN Chicago is available through CBSN, on CBSNews.com and on the CBS News apps for mobile and connected TV devices. In addition, the service is available through www.CBSChicago.com and the CBS Local mobile app.


I would suggest that during this Covid-19 lockdown, and yes I know, they call them "stay at home orders" in the US, but it's basically the same, that not trying to add extra content to the channel, is a wise idea.

You can then add in the extra content later at 7am, Noon, 4pm, 7pm or similar times, and then do a heavy advertising campaign for the station.

Interesting to note that in the evening, CBS2 Chicago only has half hour bulletins at 5pm and 6pm with the CBS Evening News live at 5.30pm. They're not doing a 90 minute news block at 4pm, nor doing a full hour of news at 6pm. NBC Chicago for instance does a 90 minute news block from 4pm, as does the ABC station. Right now, it does seem that WBBM aren't even really trying.
MO
Mouseboy33
Well WBBM was a legacy station with the highest rating newscast in Chicago for decades with the powerhouse team of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson at the anchor desk from their messy "but real" newsroom. The theme is now the default music used by many CBS stations and every O&O was originated by WBBM and was called “I Love Chicago, Chicago My Home and now known as CBS Enforcer.


But the early 90s they went from this (the low growl at the end of the theme):

Then to this (the debut of the blood red 2 logo and the deeper growl in theme):

To this over the tabloid flash fest. The story count increased. The writing style completely change. With more illiteration and flashy punchier dramatic storytelling. With an emphasis on crime and murder which at the time was the height of the city's crime peak. The ratings quickly peaked and then dropped and has never recovered. WBBM used to have a early evening newscasts, but has since seceded that timeslot to WLS (ABC) and WMAQ (NBC) and WGN (INDY).


WBBM has literally tried EVERYTHING. Nothing has really moved the ratings for a long time since the tabloid foray. Actually the reporting they are doing its quite good. Better and far more indepth and meaning, with actual investigations and result in changes. The problem is they cant get any eyeballs to see it. And they have a very weak anchor team, that is serviceable, but not a scratch on what they had. Even during their tabloid years, the anchors just dont compare. CBS has thrown so much money at WBBM, over the years, they can no longer justify bringing or hiring away top notch talent to front their newscasts. They even coaxed Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson out of retirement to anchor, nothing worked. (Even that has been tried, nothing has worked.)
Last edited by Mouseboy33 on 22 April 2020 12:27am - 7 times in total
WW
WW Update
Mouseboy33 posted:
The theme is now the default music used by many CBS stations and every O&O was originated by WBBM and was called “I Love Chicago, Chicago My Home and now known as CBS Enforcer.



By the way, here's the folk song that inspired the theme -- This is My City, Chicago's My Town by Tary Rebenar:

28 days later

MO
Mouseboy33
CBSN Dallas Fort Worth has launched. They created a set similar to CBSN New York. So far those are the only 2 matching sets in the whole suite of channels. Im not sure if this is a "full service" channel like NY and LA or repeater channel like MN and Chicago channels.
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Georgie56
BR
Brekkie
CBSNDFW just rolls off the tongue.

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