Three local TV stations net $55 million in FCC spectrum auction—but will stay on air
Some stations are likely to change channel numbers, but broadcasters promise viewers will see little service disruption despite spectrum moves.
WISH
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Groundbreaking news anchor, public affairs director out at WISH-TV
In 1993, Tina Cosby became the first black weekday evening television news anchor in Indianapolis. She worked at Channel 8 for more than 30 years but was let go earlier this month by the station’s new owner.
WISH-TV hires new general manager in midst of tight news environment
Randy Ingram arrives at a significant juncture for WISH, which lost its national network affiliation with CBS two years ago and recently lost several on-air news personalities.
Local sports anchor jumping from WISH to WTTV
WTTV-TV Channel 4 is getting a much-needed sports veteran to bolster its staff. The station has struggled with ratings for its local news since becoming the local CBS affiliate in January 2015.
WISH-TV evening anchor departing for Atlanta station
A Hoosier native and Indiana University graduate who replaced Debby Knox as anchor in 2013 will exit WISH-TV Channel 8 after Friday’s broadcasts. The station is looking to fill multiple on-air job vacancies.
Meteorologist departing WISH-TV for Orlando station
As its parent company is about to be acquired, WISH-TV Channel 8 is losing its second weathercaster this year.
Veteran TV reporter Jim Shella to retire from WISH, ‘Indiana Week in Review’
Shella will cap his 40-year career with coverage of the 2016 election, saying it is a “really good time to sign off.”
WISH-TV general manager exiting as acquisition looms
Les Vann is leaving after two years on the job and as WISH’s parent, Media General, is in the midst of being acquired. He was named “General Manager of the Year” in January by a trade publication.
Former WISH-TV anchor Halvorson lands job with Kroger
Eric Halvorson, who lost his job at WISH-TV late last year after 32 years an anchorman and reporter, has been hired by the Kroger Co.
New federal drone rules should lift TV stations
The Federal Aviation Administration last month approved new regulations that TV industry experts say will open the floodgates for drone use in news reporting.
WISH-TV news director to depart after year at station
Elbert Tucker said Friday he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take the same position at a station in his home state of Tennessee.
Candidates, PACs buy $850K in TV ads for presidential race here
Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders have bought TV time on Indianapolis stations. So have the Club for Growth, Our Principles and Trusted Leadership PACs.
WISH-TV loses another on-air personality
An award-winning field reporter at WISH-TV Channel 8 has announced her departure, joining a growing list of on-air personalities to leave the station over the past 18 months.
Merger mania rocks TV; WTHR owner bucks trend
In television, size matters—and station operators nationwide are in a mad rush to get bigger faster.
CBS shift in 2015 rejiggers TV ratings
When CBS jumped from WISH Channel 8 to WTTV-TV Channel 4 last year, the latter added another 24.5 hours. That move, plus a new ratings system, led to a tumultuous year for local TV broadcasters.
Two on-air news staffers leave WISH-TV
An evening meteorologist and a sports anchor/reporter are the latest personalities to depart from WISH-TV Channel 8.
Two local TV execs score national honors in wake of CBS swap
WISH’s Les Vann and WTTV/WXIN’s Kerri Cavanaugh received high-profile industry awards as their stations made major changes in 2015.
TV stations could make millions by pulling the plug
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking to buy spectrum space to sell to wireless, broadband and other technology and communications companies. And they appear willing to pay big bucks to get it.
WISH-TV launches news-gathering drone
The drone, called AVI8OR, is the first federally-sanctioned quadcopter aircraft cleared for media use in Indiana, WISH announced Tuesday.
Halvorson suspects he’s ‘collateral damage from CBS departure’
Longtime anchorman Eric Halvorson said he wasn’t given a reason why his contract wasn’t extended by WISH-TV Channel 8, which lost its affiliation with CBS at the beginning of the year.