Channel 2 WSB-TV adding 4 p.m. news program once ‘Oprah’ leaves
Life after “Oprah” next fall, Channel 2 WSB-TV will add a 4 p.m. news program. As a result, the station will hire 20 more news employees, according to general manager Bill Hoffman.
“We’re excited about our news expansion,” Hoffman said in an interview today. “We’ve got such a strong news brand, the best thing we can do is expand.”
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” has been a dominant ratings force for more than two decades. Even though Oprah will end original episodes in May, repeats will continue through September. Hoffman said he will start taking applications now and will start the hiring process before September.
Channel 2 Action News is the No. 1 news operation in Atlanta and has been for many years.
Hoffman said the station has not decided who will anchor the 4 p.m. news.
Currently, CBS’s WGCL-TV is the only local affiliate with a 4 p.m. news program and runs three consecutive hours of news from 4 to 7 p.m., including Katie Couric’s CBS evening news program at 6:30 p.m. In the fall of 2011, Channel 2 will air three hours of local news from 4 to 7 p.m. followed by “ABC World News Tonight.”
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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66 comments Add your comment
The Aero
November 23rd, 2010
3:37 pm
With an extra hour of news, I’d like to see some more positive news stories. The local neighborhood newspapers have interesting news stories that could make Channel 2 news to avoid repeating the same stories for three hours.
NorthGAgirl
November 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
Yes, Atlanta Native, I remember the Popeye Club. I was actually on it a few times with Scouts and stuff and watched it everyday. I NEVER WATCH WSB news ever. Can’t stand the people. Can’t believe they’re going to 3 hours of horrible Atlanta news. I really have a hard time believing they are the #1 station in Atlanta. If I watch Atlanta news at all it’s channel 5. Oh well still nothing to watch in the afternoon.
Jenna
November 23rd, 2010
4:04 pm
I loved John Pruitt, and I think Jovita Moore is great. Poor Ms. Pearson just doesn’t know that she really needs to retire…badly. Watching her is like watching a MAD TV sketch. In my opinion, Keith Whitney from llAlive and Jovita Moore together would be the best anchor team in Atlanta. They are both so pleasant to watch. I think Ms. Pearson appeals to the older people in Atlanta who have watched her for many, many, many, many years. I guess there are still people who enjoy watching her emote the news.
Colonel Klink
November 23rd, 2010
4:17 pm
Gotta go with Vod Kanockers on this one. Channel 2 should run The Three Stooges at 4:00pm. Everyone likes the antics of Larry, Curly & Moe!
Reginald
November 23rd, 2010
4:35 pm
11 Alive has always been the best quality news in town. They may not be number one in the rating, but they are number one and only in my book. I have never been a fan of channel 2 action news, so it doesn’t matter what they are doing. And I agree with the writer earlier who said WSB will be like the AJC, same company, obselete!!!! Come on guys to 11 Alive, get some facts plus quality news!!!
ACG
November 23rd, 2010
5:06 pm
11 Alive NEWS fan definitely. I only watch WSB to be entertained.
If some new talent, new format, OK
November 23rd, 2010
5:13 pm
We do NOT need another hour of actual NEWS reporting. And no, we don’t need any more of Monica’s histrionics or JM’s snootiness. kaufman is reportedly retiring in 2012 anyway (if she folows through this time!!) But 11 Alive is overall less drama. I don’t watch channel 4 or 5.
Justine
November 23rd, 2010
5:17 pm
The sad fact is all ATLANTA NEWS IS ACTUALLY 15 MINUTES THEN IT STARTS TO REPEAT. I have given up on local news – nothing that could possibly occupy 3 hours unless they are going to repeat every 30minutes as they now do and ADD MORE SILLY ENTERTAINMENT GOSSIP. God I miss Phil Donahue, Ed Bradley and Bernard Shaw.
Amelia Island
November 23rd, 2010
7:01 pm
I love ACTION NEWS….Give me more…..
Mark
November 23rd, 2010
7:04 pm
Wasn’t Kaufman supposed to retire a few years ago? My guess is in 2012, she’ll ask to stay on for 3 more years, and we can see her in her wheelchair with oxygen tank. She desperately needs to retire. She’s so incredibly annoying. I quit watching channel 2 years ago because I found her so hard to watch.
don farmer
November 23rd, 2010
9:00 pm
great stuff. read it all. ignore it all.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
dad
Ozie Baldwin
November 23rd, 2010
9:52 pm
I think that it’s great that WSB is adding new jobs to the Atlanta area. Business news with both, nation and local observation, could be the next big thing. Sports, with non-traditional ball sports, [football,basketball,baseball,golf,soccer], could grow major ratings. Next, a new news cast could work well,… provided that it is done in more of a reality type format. Before Oprah leave, WSB must be sure that viewers are totally on board with this new direction.
Smith
November 23rd, 2010
11:12 pm
WHY????
‘Oprah’ Stations Split Between ‘Oz’ and News : Media News At This Hour
November 24th, 2010
7:13 am
[...] One of the key Oprah Winfrey stations, WSB Atlanta, is going with a 4 p.m. news once Oprah heads to cable, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Willx
November 24th, 2010
12:53 pm
Whats a Oprah? Is that some kind of afternoon Soap Opera for the weak minded welfare broodmares? What? She has to give away door prizes to get people in her live audience? Who would watch that?
The gatekeeper investigator
November 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
With an increase in staff, hopefully, WSB will its investigative reporting coverage. If the media is the gatekeeper for the general public investigative reporting will be greatly appreciated.