Kaity Tong

But a deeper evaluation reveals another recent, albeit quieter change on the weekend newscasts.

Meteorologist Craig Allen, a steady freelancer at Channel 11 since leaving WNYW/Channel 5 in June, has seemingly become a regular contributor.

Avid weekend WPIX viewers will notice less of forecaster Lisa Mateo and more of Allen.

However, Allen has not been named a permanent meteorologist at Channel 11.  News director Bill Carey says Allen, though, remains a valuable fill in.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

As Hurricane Irene churns 1,000 miles away from the New York City, today’s noon newscasts on WCBS/Channel 2 and WABC/Channel 7 predictably emphasized the potential serious storm.

Both stations gave team coverage to preparations for Irene, which is expected to make landfall in the tri-state area Sunday.

On WABC, with anchors Lori Stokes, Ken Rosato, and meteorologist Amy Freeze (filling in for Bill Evans) tracked the now category three hurricane with the latest data.

The team coverage included reporters gathered throughout New York and New Jersey.

WCBS also dedicated a large chuck of their regular noon broadcast to Irene. Rob Morrison and Mary Calvi led the newscast with weather anchor John Elliott.

But, if you want to know how serious Irene may be for New York, just look no further than WNBC/Channel 4.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Chris Knowles, the WPIX weekend weather anchor, was fired and replaced by Lisa Mateo.  She began her new role on Saturday night. 

“WPIX is an organization that has been going through transition and financial reorganization for some time,” Knowles tells FishbowlNY exclusively. 

A WPIX spokeswoman tells FishbowlNY that Knowles’ per diem agreement came to end. “He opted to not continue with this on a per diem basis.” 

Knowles spent six years at Fox News Channel before joining WPIX in June 2007.

Knowles is married to Kiran Chetry, co-anchor of CNN’s American Morning. The couple met while working at a TV station in Erie, PA.

“I am looking forward to a permanent situation where I can continue to do what I love–anchoring and using my meteorological skills,” Knowles says.

As for Knowles’ replacement, the station spokewoman says, Mateo, who has been going to school for meteorology, will maintain her face time on the PIX Morning News with news and feature reporting three days a week.

The Knowles termination comes as the PIX News at Ten moves into its second week following major changes. Jodi Applegate took over for Jim Watkins and Kaity Tong on the weeknight 10 p.m. newscast. The broadcast originates directly from the newsroom without those TV news staples–desks and chairs.  

“I’ve heard from many co-workers who are shaken up over the whole thing, and I really appreciate their reaching out to me,” Knowles says.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.