Dick Brennan - FishbowlNY

Stations Converge on Newtown to Cover Solemn Weekend

Jerry Barmash — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:12:52 +0000

Yet another mass murder…this time in Newtown, Connecticut. The deranged man opened fire in an elementary school killing 20 youngsters, all shy of their eighth birthday. Seven adults were also gunned down, including the shooter’s mother.

The rampage is the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, behind the Virigina Tech massacre in 2007 where 32 students died.

The weekend was the time for families and friends to cope with the insurmountable loss. President Obama attended last night’s prayer vigil.

Although Newtown is on the outskirts of the New York tri-state area, it’s close enough for stations to easily send reporters to cover the services.

By Saturday, this was anything but a typical story. WNYW/Channel 5 brought in Dari Alexander to co-anchor with Christina Park. Likely unrelated, top meteorologist Nick Gregory was on-duty Saturday night as well.

For the Sunday night vigil, it was WABC/Channel 7 that shined. Bill Ritter anchored for Newtown, while Sade Baderinwa was behind the desk. Ritter struck the perfect balance of reporting the information, while masterfully dealing with the incredibly sad story.

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Veteran Reporter Dick Brennan Now Appearing on Channel 2

Jerry Barmash — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:18:22 +0000

We know all about cost cutting. The broadcast industry isn’t immune to belt tightening when times are tough. But in the last several months, WNYW/Channel 5 dropped several veteran reporters, becoming the proverbially “salary dump.”

Entertainment reporter Anne Craig and Andrea Day were two standout reporters who failed to get contract renewals in 2011. But in March, there was a surprise from the WNYW camp.

The station’s longtime political correspondent, Dick Brennan was sent packing after 11 years.

Apparently, he didn’t have a non-compete clause as Brennan is now reporting on a per diem basis for WCBS/Channel 2, a station spokesman tells FishbowlNY. He was seen Saturday night doing general assignment work.

It’s a great move by WCBS, adding the Little Neck native and Fordham University graduate. A greater move, though, would be finding a full-time role for the accomplished Brennan.

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Stations Travel to Rome for Archbishop Dolan’s Elevation Next Week

Jerry Barmash — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:55:41 +0000

He’s been on the job for less than three years, but next weekend New York’s Archbishop, Timothy Dolan, enjoys the biggest moment of his ecumenical career.

Last month, Dolan was chosen by the Vatican to become a Cardinal. His elevation is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 in Rome.

Dolan won’t be making the trip alone. A contingent of TV and radio reporters is headed to Italy to cover the elevation.

WCBS/Channel 2: Anchor Maurice DuBois and reporter Tony Aiello will be in Rome starting at mid-week. Aiello files reports on Wednesday, while DuBois begins on Thurs. Channel 2 covers the elevation ceremony live at 4:30 a.m.
WNBC/Channel 4: Weekend anchor David Ushery leaves for Rome on Sunday to take part in the station’s coverage next week.

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Longtime WCBS/Channel 2 Anchor Rolland Smith Covering 9/11 on WWOR ‘Most Profound’ Story of His Career

Jerry Barmash — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:00:34 +0000

If you grew up in the 1970s in New York, Rolland Smith needs no introduction. After all, he was co-anchor of Channel 2 News for 16 years. But for the next generation, he co-anchored with Brenda Blackmon at WWOR/Channel 9.

That’s where you would find Smith on the horrific morning ten years ago.

Our special series 9/11: New York Remembers looks at how the veteran, Smith, covered the horrible events.

At that time, Smith and his wife rented a house in West New York, New Jersey. The evening anchor saw a problem across the Hudson River.

“I was standing on the balcony talking to her… and I watched the first [plane] go into the World Trade Center,” Smith tells FishbowlNY.

Smith was anticipating the severity, even before the second plane confirmed suspicions.

“If this is what I think it is, I won’t be home for quite a while,” Smith alerted his wife.

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TV Stations Ready for Election Night Coverage

Jerry Barmash — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:25:24 +0000

We continue our look at the election night coverage, with check on how the area TV station’s news departments are gearing up for their big night.

WCBS/Channel 2

Updates throughout the day during regular newscasts.

CBS 2 News at 11 p.m. will be extended to an hour broadcast.

Updated cut-ins through out primetime.

CBS News led by Katie Couric will do an election one hour special broadcast at 10 p.m.

WNBC/Channel 4

Coverage will focus on mainly the races for the New York Governor and Connecticut senate.

The will provide cut-ins on the main channel during primetime. NY Nonstop will be live from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A look at the other stations after the jump continued…

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