Melissa Holmes

Holmes, who joined WGRZ at the beginning of this year, has been filling in on the morning newscast since Jodi Johnston signed off in November. She will officially take over as the program’s co-anchor alongside John Beard on January 3.

“Her professionalism, strong journalistic background, and her engaging personality are the perfect match for our talented morning team,” WGRZ news director Jeff Woodard said in announcing the promotion. “She has quickly become a favorite among our fans, and we look forward to her continued growth in this new role.”

Since joining the station, Holmes has been anchoring the 10 p.m. newscast on WGRZ’s sister station, WNYO.

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WPBN-WTOM

Fairbanks, who tells TVSpy she is “excited about the opportunity,” says she will anchor the 5:30 p.m. newscast on WIVB and the 10 p.m. newscast on WNLO on weekdays. Her last day at WPBN-WTOM, the NBC-affiliate in Traverse City, MI, is Friday.

In a statement on the station’s website, WPBN-WTOM president Jill Sareela called Fairbanks an “integral part” of the station for the past 11 years, adding WPBN-WTOM was “fortunate to have her for that long.”

The news comes one day after WIVB anchor Melissa Holmes, who anchored the morning newscast on WLNO, announced that she was leaving the station for rival WGRZ.

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“This new year is certainly bringing a new beginning for me,” Holmes wrote on her Facebook wall this afternoon.  “After six years at News 4, I’m officially announcing my final day on the air will be Friday. I’m sad to leave my incredible co-workers, and am grateful WIVB gave me the opportunity to work in my hometown!”

Holmes was coy about her next move on Facebook, saying only “I’m not leaving Buffalo… ,” but TVSpy has learned that Holmes is set to join NBC-affiliate WGRZ.  She currently works as an anchor-reporter for CBS-affiliate WIVB.

An official announcement is expected later this week.

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WIVB anchors and reporters, including morning anchor Melissa Holmes (above), recorded “It Gets Better” videos this week, following the recent suicide of Buffalo teenager Jamey Rodemeyer.  The death of Rodemeyer, a high school freshman who was the target of anti-gay slurs from bullies online and at school for over a year, has gained national attention and become a flashpoint for those seeking greater public acceptance of gay teens, including pop star Lady Gaga.

“If you go home crying from high school everyday, you’re not alone,”  Holmes says in her video.  “You’re probably looking at me saying, ‘You’re on TV, you have it easy.  You’re a TV anchor and reporter, you’ve got it easy.’ Well, I went home from high school crying.  I was bullied.” continued…

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Buffalo CW-affiliate WNLO is set to launch a new weekday morning show called “Winging It! Buffalo Style” (promo video above).

The 8 a.m. show is essentially a renovation of the timeslot for LIN duopoly WNLO and WIVB, a CBS-affiliate. “Winging It!” will be hosted by Joe Arena and Victoria Hong, who currently anchor the morning newscast of WIVB-WNLO, along with Allie Hartwick. In 2009, WIVB expanded its morning newscast with Arena and Hong from two hours to four, with the program switching from WIVB to WNLO at 7 a.m. to make way for the “The Early Show.”

“It’s definitely not your average morning news show,” Arena told The Buffalo News recently, saying that the new show would focus on lifestyle topics such as parenting, health, beauty, and fitness. continued…

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