Wilkes Barre-Scranton

WNEP had some unexpected visitors during its 11 p.m. newscast on Monday.

Just before meteorologist Kurt Aaron was to appear live from the station’s weather backyard on Monday night, four bears (one mother and three cubs) descended on the outdoor space.

“I ran like I stole something,” Aaron said during the newscast, after seeking safety indoors. “No offense, but I don’t want to be doing the weather with four bears.” Video inside… Read more

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WBRE-WYOU in Scranton debuted a new, high-definition set and two new newscasts this week.

Nexstar announced in February that it would be investing significantly in its Scranton duopoly ahead of the switch. The station was outfitted with new HD cameras, a redesigned studio, enhanced forecasting and weather presentation tools, and upgrades for master control.

The debut of the new set corresponds with the launch of noon and 7 p.m. newscasts on WYOU this week. [Via Newscast Studio]

James DePury has been named news director at WBRE, the NBC-affiliate in Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Nexstar Broadcasting announced today.

DePury was most recently the 11 p.m. producer at WGAL, the NBC-affiliate in Lancaster, PA. Prior to that, he was news director at WPMT, the Fox-affiliate in the same market.

“He brings a creative and fresh approach to our operations, intimate knowledge of the region, the state of Pennsylvania and paramount focus to the concerns and issues our viewers face every day,” WBRE VP-GM Robert Bee said in a statement. Read more

Starting in April, newscasts on WBRE-WYOU, Nexstar’s Scranton duopoly, will be in high definition, the company announced today.

The HD newscasts will launch following “significant investments” in the studio and and production equipment, according to a Nexstar statement. The station was outfitted with new HD cameras, a redesigned studio, enhanced forecasting and weather presentation tools and HD upgrades for master control operations.

CBS-affiliate WYOU will also get two additional newscasts, at noon and 7 p.m. on weekdays, as part of the expansion. In a statement, Nexstar said the changes demonstrate “unwavering dedication to delivering an exceptional experience.”

WNEP weathercaster Joe Snedeker stopped his morning forecast Wednesday to respond to a couple of angry emailers who apparently wanted colder weather. Snedeker informed viewers that he, personally, enjoyed warm weather, before launching into a disjointed monologue that included the admission that he maybe doesn’t like all of his co-workers (video inside).

“I like it warm, I like snow. That’s just my stupid opinion,” Snedeker told viewers, before referring to his morning colleague, anchor Mindi Ramsey. “I’m a person. I like Mindi. Maybe off-screen I don’t. Maybe I have other colleagues here that I don’t like.” Read more

Robert Bee has been named vice president and general manager of WBRE in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton.  In addition to overseeing the Nexstar Broadcasting-owned NBC-affiliate, Bee will be in charge of WYOU, the market’s CBS-affiliate, based on a joint operating agreement between Nexstar and Mission Broadcasting, which owns WYOU.

Bee has spent the last 18 years working in Pennsylvania broadcasting.  Most recently, he served as director of sales at WTAE in Pittsburgh.  He is replacing Louis Abitabilo, who is retiring.

“Bob has a long-term record of generating exceptional results through his experience and leadership,” Nexstar executive vice president Tim Busch said, in announcing the move.  “He brings to his new position an impressive background in all aspects of our business, having led teams that delivered compelling and effective marketing solutions for local and national advertisers.” Read more

Jeremy Settle, the news director at WBRE in Wilkes Barre-Scranton, is leaving the station to join Fox News Channel, TVNewser reports.

Settle has been news director at the NBC-affiliate since December 2009. He will join Fox News as senior producer of the DC newsroom this month.

WBRE general manager Lou Abitabilo tells TVSpy Settle’s replacement has not yet been named.

Carl Abraham has been promoted to news director at WNEP in Scranton.

For Abraham, the promotion comes after nearly three decades with the ABC-affiliate.  He started with WNEP in 1983 as an assignment editor and since then he has moved up the newsroom ranks, working as a show producer, assignment manager, and assistant news director.

“Carl’s knowledge of our market and our strengths, coupled with his work ethic and passion for news, make him the very best person to lead Newswatch16 into the future,” WNEP president and general manager Chuck Morgan said in announcing the promotion.

WBRE is set to launch a one-hour local news show at 4:00 p.m., the first of its kind in the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton market.

The new show, titled “PA Live!,” will offer a mix of news and lifestyle content while promoting interactivity with viewers through Facebook and Twitter.

“Based on the feedback and demands of our Northeast Pennsylvania viewers the unique format of ‘PA Live!’ is a natural fit for the market,” said Lou Abitabilo, WBRE’s vice president and general manager, in making the announcement. “The show is going to be unlike anything else produced in this region and will highlight WBRE’s commitment to provide our viewers with convenient, timely and topical lifestyle programming.”

“PA Live!” will be hosted by WBRE reporter Monica Madeja and weathercaster Dave Kuharchik.

The new show will make its debut on September 12th. In the meantime, the NBC-affiliate has launched a new “PA Live!” Facebook page to stoke viewer interest.

WNEP, an ABC-affiliate serving northeastern Pennsylvania, unveiled a brand-new set last week as part of its planned move to broadcasting the news in HD.

The new set, which made its official debut last Thursday during the station’s 4 p.m. newscast, has a large video display behind the main anchor desk with wings on either side that contain large, flat-screen monitors. WNEP also debuted a new, HD graphics package to accompany the new set.

WNEP’s news director Erik Schrader says that the new set, with its array of video displays, will allow the news team to more effectively tell the day’s stories.

“The Video Wall will allow us to synthesize story video with our anchors much more effectively,” Schrader told TVSpy via email. “The set also gives us better places to place reporters in the studio… allowing us to show video and the reporter simultaneously, which helps us communicate the story in a better way.” Read more