FTVLive did not take one day off in almost 200 straight days.  

Last week, we took off a single day and we are going to take off two more. Starting now.

While the slow news month of August wraps up, we want to enjoy two days off in a row. Something we haven't done in over 6 months. 

As the Fall TV season starts to ramp up and new newscasts are being launched, FTVLive wanted to get a couple of days off before things start heating up. 

So, we have made the executive decision to take off the rest of Today and Tomorrow.

We have one goal and that is to stay away from the computer and our phone for 48 hours. Is that even possible?

We're about to find out. 

We plan on some golf, some paddle boarding and just plain old down time. Most importantly, we're looking forward to sleeping past 5AM for a couple of days. 

If all goes as planned, you will see us back here on Saturday and it is more than likely that we won't be taking off any other days for months. 

By the way, if you have enjoyed FTVLive these past 6+months, why not take the time to some a small token of support our way. You don't know how much it is appreciated.  

And to those of you that have sent us a few bucks to help keep the server running, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

-Scott

Taking it to the Net

With just five days until the launch of its live streaming digital noon newscast on Sept. 2, ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 Chicago is putting the last pieces of its new digital news program in place.

The web only newscast, called "ABC7 To Go," will be viewable on the station's Website and its branded apps. 

In addition to previously-announced chief anchor Alan Krashesky (pictured) and weatherman Mike Caplan, Channel 7 has tapped reporters Jason Knowles and Jennifer D'Onofrio as the key reporters to provide news reports from the field during the live steaming newscast. In selecting what news items to feature, station news executives will pay close attention to what is trending digitally in the local Chicago realm.

The newscast is expected to run about 8 to 10 minutes but it could go longer if there's breaking news. 

Each day's digital newscast will be available on demand on the WLS Website throughout the afternoon.

H/T Chicago Business Journal 

Chicago Producer Jobs Open

WGN in Chicago has 3 Producer jobs open.  

Here is the listing: 

Join WGN-TV News as a Producer specializing in newscasts for our 24-hour cable channel, CLTV.  You’ll be responsible for several hours of news each day, produced in a unique format that uses all the modern technologies.  You’ll have creative control of your newscast under the overall direction of the CLTV Senior Producer.  You’ll also be responsible for work on our website, mobile, social media technologies.

Position requires an individual with experience writing and producing television newscasts.  You’ll need to demonstrate strong news judgment and the ability to work well with others.

Equal Opportunity Employer

If interested, send resume and DVD to:

WGN-TV Human Resources Department 2501 W. Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618 Fax:  773-528-1387 Apply On-line:  Please go to www.tribjobs.com, click on the Job Search link and search for keyword “Producer”

Get the Message (Sponsored)

"In the crazy, cutthroat world of TV news, sometimes the only thing worse than missing the big story, is getting it."

Messages, the new novel by TV news veteran and textbook author Forrest Carr, is now available for the Kindle and Kindle reading apps.   Messages follows three friends as they embark on television news careers at the height of the golden age of local TV journalism.  In their search for Truth, Justice, and Ratings, they'll risk it all.  And before it's all over, one of them will be fighting for his job, another will be fighting for his sanity, and the third will be fighting for his very life.

"Messages is sort of a 'buddy cop' crime drama," Carr said, "featuring reporters instead of police officers.  It tells a captivating story, but also sheds a rare light on a bygone era of TV news, a time that put the industry on the path to become what it is today – for better or worse.  Most popular works of fiction dealing with TV news have focused exclusively on big-city and network operations, which are very different from the medium-to-small stations where most Americans get their local news.  Messages gives readers unique, sometimes hilarious, and often surprising insights into a process that's central to the American way of life."

Messages is available for download on Amazon.com.  Search "Messages by Forrest Carr" or follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECK0DBK

Replacing a Weather Legend

Central Florida News 13 (Orlando) has hired the replacement for meteorologist Danny Treanor, a local TV legend who will retire in late October.

Maureen McCann will join News 13 in September from KMGH, the ABC affiliate in Denver.

News Director Tim Geraghty said the planning continues for Treanor's sendoff. "We'll make a big deal of Danny's departure," he said. "We're going to give Danny an appropriate sendoff for the years he's spent in the market."

That is something refreshing to hear. 

H/T Orlando Sentinel

NY EP Heads to Houston as The Deuce

WPIX Morning news Executive Producer Howard Dorsey handed in his resignation and is headed to Houston.

Dorsey will be the new Assistant News Director of Fox O&O KRIV.

He replaces Bob Morford who was bumped up to the ND job when Tom Doerr left the station for WFLD in Chicago.  

Let's see what quotes the Creative Services Department made up for Morford and Dorsey.

“Howard is a seasoned and knowledgeable newsroom manager, who I’m excited to welcome aboard," Morford "said" His passion, depth of experience and his ability to lead made him the ideal candidate to help drive our news product forward.”

Added Dorsey, "I look forward to joining a news team known for such a superior news product. I am also excited to continue KRIV’s growth and to create some new and different additions to an already excellent station lineup.”

Dorsey starts at the station on September 16th.  

Talk About Blurred Lines

KUTV did a promo with their take on artist Robin Thicke's 'Blurred lines' song. 

Of course if you watch Thicke's video on YouTube, you might notice that these anchors have on waaaaayyyyy too many clothes. 

News people singing and dancing may not have crossed the line, but it sure did blur them.  

Here's the KUTV promo: 

Robin Roberts is at 90%

Robin Roberts likely has a better charge than her iPhone.

 "I feel 90 percent of myself again, and that's a great feeling." 

As the first anniversary of her bone-marrow transplant approaches on Sept. 20, Robin Roberts is very happy to be feeling well again. 

 At the kick off for the US Open Tennis tournament, Roberts spoke to reporters about another long awaited milestone – her full-time return to GMA. 

"The day after Labor Day I'll be back to a five-day a week schedule," she said. "I'm looking forward to it. I want to get back to my full life." 

We say to Robin...WELCOME BACK!  

Everyone is happy to see her returning to work full time. Well, expect for suits at NBC's Today Show. 

H/T People

Twin Cities Reporter Quits

One of the biggest rules in Television News is don't quit your job until you have another job. 

KSTP's Mark Albert just broke that rule. 

After eight years with the station, Albert is saying goodbye when his contract is up next month.

"It's been a great run," said Albert about his time with the station. "And after eight years, I think it's time for a new challenge."

Although he doesn't currently have another job lined up, Albert, who is originally from California, says he's planning on staying in broadcast news.

His last day at KSTP is Aug. 21.

H/T Pioneer Press

New Photos Emerge of Boston Bomber

Dramatic new photos show the Boston Marathon bombing suspect, his face bloodied, climbing out of a boat in a suburban backyard as heavily armed police officers wait for him to drop to the ground.

Here they are

LA Reporter Dies in Hiking Accident

KTTV investigative reporter and producer Martin Burns died in a hiking accident near Altadena, the mountainous neighborhood just north of Pasadena, Calif. 

His body was found in a ravine below a trail leading to Inspiration Point in the Angeles National Forest, according to MyFoxLA.com.

The preliminary cause of death is trauma sustained from a fall off the steep trail.

Fox’s Gigi Graciette tweeted, “Sad week for our FOX 11 family as we lose friend + colleague Martin Burns in hiking accident.”

“He made a personal difference in my professional life every day,” Fox 11′s VP News Director Kingsley Smith said. “Whenever he stopped by to share a story, I saw the deep passion and dedication in his work and projects.”

Burns was 56 years old. 

H/T Variety  

Sinclair Eyes Reno Station

Is the buying spree continuing for Sinclair?

Word is that Sinclair is working on a deal to buy up KRNV in Reno.

KRNV is currently owned by Jim Roger's Intermountain West Group.

Rogers is the same owner ditching syndicated shows at his NBC Las Vegas affiliate, KSNV 3.

We hear that Sinclair made an offer on KSNV as well, but Rogers is holding onto the Sin City station for now. 

Stay tuned....