To say that WCBS/WLNY “got the message” might be too strong, but we are seeing some positive signs for a Long Island presence.

First, WCBS, which completed its purchase of independent WLNY (TV 10/55) in April, has finally added the only pre-acquisition holdover.

Richard Rose is reporting from the WCBS/WLNY Long Island bureau, a revamped, HD facility to WLNY’s former Melville location. Rose delivers a Long Island business segment each night on the News at 9, anchored by Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler.

FishbowlNY previously argued that WLNY, especially its new prime time newscast, needed a larger Long Island focus, given that the FCC has the license based in Riverhead. At the time, a spokesperson said Rose’s delay was because the studio was not ready. However during that time, Rose did not report from the CBS studios on West 57th where the broadcast originated, nor did he hit the road within the Island to find stories.

Now Rose and the new studio are in place. The spokesperson says Rose joined the News at 9 on July 30, one week after our “review.” His contribution is included in the second half of the newscast.

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It’s a double “homecoming” for Chris Wragge. The veteran WCBS news anchor is returning to sports, at least for two weeks. Wragge is getting a spot with CBS Sports at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships beginning Monday, August 27 at Flushing Meadow.

Wragge says it was “totally unexpected” when he was asked last month by Harold Bryant (VP/Production/CBS Sports). Groundwork had been laid by CBS Sports president Sean McManus, who was integral in hiring Wragge for The Early Show in late 2010.

“Sean has been great to me over the years,” Wragge says. “This was a welcome home call.

With the blessing of WCBS executives David Friend and Peter Dunn, Wragge makes his first network appearance since the morning overhaul at the start of the year, and his premiere on CBS Sports.

Wragge is called on primarily as a weekend studio host. The move was necessitated, thanks to the ascension of Bill Macatee to lead play-by-play voice at the Open.

“What it boils down to is, you’ll see more of me if there are rain delays,” Wragge laughs.

But Wragge isn’t joking when it comes to the CBS Sports brand.

“Obviously, it’s just such an amazing franchise, top to bottom,” Wragge says. “To be associated, and to be asked to be a part of any of their properties, I was overwhelmed and flattered to be honest with you.”

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When WCBS/Channel 2 formally acquired WLNY 10/55 the promise was an upgrade technologically and in front of the camera. However, the most important aspect is missing, keeping WLNY locked in to its home–Long Island.

WLNY, for more than 25 years, was an independent station based in Melville. Its news presence was just a 30-minute broadcast weeknights. It was neither high-tech nor featured the best talent, but viewers knew they had an ally in coverage of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Now with WCBS at the helm, cross off the need for better talent from the wish list. Having the entire Channel 2 news team at its disposal, led by anchors Chris Wragge (at his best here, especially hosting a nightly viral video segment) and Dana Tyler, WLNY need not worry about on-air product.

Viewers, on the other hand, can worry that Long Island news they’ve come to rely upon at TV 10/55 is no more. When WLNY does have a Long Island presence with Jennifer McLogan or Carolyn Gusoff (rarely have we seen the two on the same newscast), it’s nothing extra beyond what other stations covered that night.

In a one-hour newscast, you can count on one hand how many Long Island references are made. At the start, the graphic shows “Riverhead, New York,” where the station is licensed. There are the one or possibly two stories based in Nassau or Suffolk Counties. Making it worse, those stories are often pushed down in the broadcast.

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WCBS/Channel 2 is one step closer to showing off its revamped WLNY 10/55. The Long Island independent station, now owned by WCBS, is scheduled to debut a two-hour morning news block Monday, July 2. The 7 to 9 a.m. show, being called, The Couch, is a direct competition to WNYW/Channel 5 and WPIX/Channel 11.

That same night, according to the station’s Facebook page, WLNY unveils its new one-hour, prime time newscast. As we previously reported, the Channel 2 at 6 team of Chris Wragge, Dana Tyler, plus Lonnie Quinn and Otis Livingston will be the face of ‘LNY’s nightly broadcast airing at 9.

However, a station spokesman tells FishbowlNY that it still has no word on the morning talent being used.

The Fair Media Council was created as a media watchdog on Long Island. Its main event for the year is the Folio Awards, held each April.  Beyond that, one piece of news captivated the Council.

Viewers are yet to see the full effects of WCBS/Channel 2′s acquisition of WLNY/Channel 10, 55.

Fair Media Council executive director Jaci Clement says this is important on so many levels.

“It’s a wonderful thing when you look at the total media landscape of the island,” Clement tells FishbowlNY. “Because what you have here is one major news source [Cablevision] that dominates the news of Long Island.”

Cablevision created News 12 Long Island in 1986. Then the Bethpage-based company bought Newsday in 2008, giving Long Islanders no recourse for finding news and information via TV and newspaper.

“Since they merged, you see more and more of them working closely together and actually producing less local news,” Clement says. “…We actually have less news now than we had in the past.”

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WCBS' Lonnie Quinn and Chris Wragge accompanied by their new Emmys.

The best and brightest on the New York TV scene were on display last night at the 55th annual local Emmy Awards. FishbowlNY was on hand for the  four-hour awards ceremony at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

The biggest winner was MSG with 14 trophies, while WNBC/Channel 4 led all over-the-air outlets with 11 Emmys.

WCBS/Channel 2 took home the top prize of Best Evening Newscast–Over 35 Minutes–for its Hurricane Irene Aftermath. Anchors Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson were not there to accept their statuettes, but weathercaster Lonnie Quinn was in attendance.

Quinn already was selected Best On-Camera Weather Anchor, and colleague Chris Wragge was back at the podium as Best News Anchor. A one-time personal trainer, Wragge rushed back to Manhattan after competing in a Miami triathlon earlier in the day.

“This morning I knew my only shot of winning anything was coming to these Emmys,” Wragge deadpanned.

WABC cornered the market in the morning and daytime newscast categories. The on-air team of anchors Ken Rosato and Lori Stokes, meteorologist Bill Evans won for Eyewitness News This Morning and the noon broadcast following the Death of Osama bin Laden.

Telemundo WNJU/Channel 47 won the Best Newscast Under 35 Minutes.

More results from last night’s Emmys after the jump

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With the CBS takeover of WLNY history, Channel 2 is ready to unveil its news plans for that station.

Viewers will see WCBS double its resources with an expanded news presence on WLNY. The old version of 10/55 only aired a 30-minute 11 p.m. newscast.

With a target date of late June or early July, WLNY will add a two-hour morning block from 7 to 9.

“It’s going to be a unique blend,” David Friend, WCBS news director, says. “I think viewers are going to be pleasantly surprised as to what this show is going to be like. It’s going to be different than what already is on television news at that time locally.”

Therefore, WLNY’s main morning competition is WNYW and WPIX.

WCBS general manager Peter Dunn says the ‘LNY morning show will be “totally different” from the WCBS’ 2 1/2 hour early hours broadcast. Anchors and contributors have yet to be announced.

“We have some great assets with the people here, so we’re going to ulitize some of them on ‘LNY,” Dunn says. “We’re going to hire some people from the outside as well.”

However, WCBS management has named its lineup for a new ‘LNY prime time newscast from 9 to 10 p.m. Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler, along with WLNY holdover Richard Rose based on Long Island. Weathercaster Lonnie Quinn and sports anchor Otis Livingston round out the team.

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With 57 nominations, MSG Network leads the pack at the New York Emmy Awards. WNBC/Channel 4 tops the over-the-air outlets with 50 nods.

A look at some of the nominations for the April 1st gala:

For Best Morning Newscast, the nominees include WNYW/Channel 5′s Good Day New York, WNBC’s Today in New York, WABC/Channel 7, and WPIX/Channel 11, which had 36 nominations overall.

For newscast of 35 minutes or less, Spanish stations WXTV/41 notched four nominations, while Channel 47/WNJU had one. The other nomination goes to WNBC, for the death of Osama bin Laden.

In the longer newscast category, WPIX and WCBS had two nods each. WABC and WNYW also are recognized.

For breaking news, WCBS is nominated for the Yonkers scaffold rescue. WCBS was chosen for coverage of the Brooklyn boy’s murder. WNBC is showcased for Hurricane Irene, while WNYW gets the nod for reporting on a tornado touching down in New York.

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WCBS/Channel 2 put the finishing touches on another New York Giants Super Bowl season with special coverage of yesterday’s parade along the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan.

The parade, of course, was a celebration of the Giants upending the Patriots for another championship.

But the parade could also have a been a victory lap for Channel 2. The station had expanded coverage since last week from Indianapolis, and fittingly drew the most viewers for the ballyhoo up Broadway.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., WCBS attracted an estimated 244,000 viewers to the parade and subsequent City Hall celebration, according to Nielsen. Among the other stations providing live coverage, WNBC/Channel 4 came  closest with 239,000 people tuned in, while WABC/Channel 7 had 219,000 viewers. WNYW/Channel 5 also on hand for the festivities notched just 186,000 viewers during the three-hour window.

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With another Super Bowl title for the New York Giants, now comes the celebration! Several stations are planning to televise the ticker tape parade tomorrow up the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan.

WCBS/Channel 2 begins its live coverage at 11 a.m. with the celebrations at two venues –New York City and at the Giants’ home, MetLife Stadium.

WCBS will have cameras along and above the parade route and will feature reports by news anchors Maurice DuBois, Chris Wragge and Don Dahler, sports anchors Otis Livingston and Lisa Kerney, reporter Jennifer McLogan, and WFAN morning co-host Craig Carton.

Those unable to get to a television can watch the festivities streamed live on CBSNewYork.com.

WNBC/Channel 4 is providing live coverage as well, starting with Today in New York at 4:30 a.m. Darlene Rodriguez and Michael Gargiulo then join sports anchor Bruce Beck for live coverage at 11 a.m.  Several reporters will be staked out along the parade route, including Andrew Siff and Katherine Creag.

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