Bay News 9

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Bay News 9
(Bright House cable only)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Branding Bay News 9
Slogan Your News Channel
Channels cable 9 analog
Affiliations
Owner Bright House Networks
Founded September 8, 1997
Website www.baynews9.com (Note: Renovated website is online as of 12-6-06)

Bay News 9 is a cable-based news station located in St Petersburg, Florida. It currently serves the Tampa Bay Area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Pasco Counties, and surrounding areas.

It was created by General Manager Elliott Wiser, who also launched a 24-hour news channel in Seattle.

The station began operating on September 24, 1997. Bay News 9 quickly gained a reputation for its frequent weather updates during the 1997-1998 El Niño that caused heavy rains, severe thunderstorms and tornadic activity in the Tampa Bay area. In 2002, Bay News 9 was the first Tampa Bay news station to provide a VIPIR Doppler radar system. Former longtime WTSP news anchor Al Ruechel was one of Bay News 9's first anchors. Alan Winfield was chief meteorologist since its inception. Mike Clay has since taken over as chief meteorologist.

It airs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (with a brief break every Christmas Eve evening (from 8pm to midnight) for a yule log), exclusively on a commercial cable company that serves the area, Bright House Networks. Bright House is the current carrier, previously Time Warner Cable. It is seen on channel 9 on all systems, except for western Pasco County, where it's seen on channel 6 (WTSP is on channel 9, due to its transmitter location).

Contents

[edit] Slogans/Logos

  • Bay News 9's Logo, designed by Atlanta designer J.C.Burns, has always remained the same since 1997.
  • Bay News 9 has seen one slogan change since 1997, which change occurred in 2002, just before the first graphics/music overhaul. Originally the slogan was "Your News All The Time". Today, the slogan is "Your News Channel".

[edit] Programming Information

[edit] Newscasts and Segments

Bay News 9 provides the following newscasts and segments as part of its 24-hour news cycle.

[edit] "Your Morning News"

Your Morning News began airing in 2000 and provides up-to-the-minute news, traffic, and weather from 5 to 9am on weekdays (hosted by Jen Holloway) and 6 to 9am on weekends (hosted by Erica Riggins). One of the main rules, as shown on YMN promotional ads, is NO CHITCHAT. Rarely has there even been any small-talk on Bay News 9, on any regular newscast, since it's inception.

[edit] "The 7:00 News"

In 2003, Bay News 9 introduced "The 7:00 News", a primetime newscast that is unlike the typical 5 and 6pm newscasts on other stations. The newscast provides up-to-the-minute breaking news, the day's top stories, and a national news segment called 'The Nightly News Digest', in addition to the normal weather forecasts.

[edit] "The 10:00 News"

The 10:00 News was part of a short-lived primetime lineup that aired from 2000 to 2003. The hour-long newscast was originally preceded by another one-hour counterpart called "9 at Nine", which fizzled out in 2002. The 10:00 program followed its own regular format that would start with "The Big Story", or the main headline of the day. Followed by the other top stories of the day. A revamped version of the program still airs today, but it is not as heavily promoted as its newer 7:00 counterpart.

[edit] "Health Team 9"

In 1999, Bay News 9 became the only Tampa Bay Area station to have a team of medical experts who report on a variety of medical issues. Six of the "Health Team 9" members are actual medical doctors who report the latest medical news on "Health Team 9 Health Watch" every morning. The seventh member is a health reporter who reports on late-breaking medical headlines during "Health Team 9 Medical Beat" during the primetime news. One of the original "Health Team 9" members, Dr. Joette Giovinco, now works for WTVT.

[edit] "EXTRAS"

These short, four to five minute reports have long since been a staple of Bay News 9. Other 24-hour news channels have similar reports. These reports are primarily geared towards an array of lifestyle topics (except the "Extra on Special Assignment" report, which is geared towards investigative reports). Originally, EXTRAS only aired on the weekdays, but were then expanded to weekends after additional reports were created.

[edit] Current EXTRAS
  • Multi-day reports.
    • Health Team 9 Health Watch - Health Issues - Reported by the Health Team 9 team of doctors - Airs Monday-Friday at :23/hour, 5am-5pm.
    • Health Team 9 Medical Beat - Late-Breaking Medical Headlines - Reported by Melissa Eichman - Airs Monday-Friday at :53/hour, 5pm-5am.
    • EXTRA on Special Assignment - Investigative reports - Airs Monday-Thursday at :23/hour, 5pm-5am.
  • Weekly reports
    • EXTRA on Getting There - Component to "EXTRA on Special Assignment" and mainly focuses on Transportation-related issues - Airs Wednesday evenings at :23/hour.
    • EXTRA on Everyday Heroes - People who make a difference in the community - Reported by Leigh Moody - Airs Monday mornings at :53/hour.
    • EXTRA on the Web - Website profiles/reviews - Reported by Al Ruechel - Airs Tuesday mornings at :53/hour.
    • EXTRA on Your Plate - Delectable cuisines and recipes - Hosted by Floyd the Food Guy - Airs Wednesday and Saturday mornings at :53/hour.
    • Mrs. Fixit - Home Improvement Tips - Hosted by Mrs Fixit (Terri McGraw) - Airs Thursday mornings and Sunday evenings at :53/hour.
    • EXTRA on the Town - Weekend event calendar - Reported by Jen Holloway - Airs Friday mornings at :53/hour.
    • EXTRA on Demand - A look at new services on Bright House's interactive local guides (B.H. Channels 340/341/342) - Airs Friday evenings at :23/hour.
    • Health Team 9 on Fitness - Fitness/Exercise/Dieting tips - Airs Saturday mornings at :53/hour.
    • EXTRA on the Water - Fishing tips - Airs Saturday evenings at :23/hour.
    • Florida on a Tankful - Similar to WTVT's One Tank Trips - Airs Saturday evenings at :53/hour.
    • Health Team 9 Headlines (Commonly known as Health Team 9 Health Watch (report)) - Melissa Eichman looks at the past week in health - Airs Sunday mornings at :23/hour.
    • EXTRA on Dining - A longtime component of "EXTRA on the Town", which profiles Bay Area eateries - Airs Sunday mornings at :53/hour.
    • Bay News 9 Business Week - Although not classified as an EXTRA, it is a five minute report on the past week in business. Typically includes an interview with someone in the business field - Hosted by Terry O'Grady - Airs Sunday evenings at :23/hour.

Please note that :##/hour means :## past the hour. Example: :23/hour means :23 past the hour.

[edit] Past EXTRAS
This film, television, or video-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
    • EXTRA on Your Health - 1997-1999 - Cancelled after "Health Team 9" was formed.
    • EXTRA on Gardening - 1999-2004
    • EXTRA on Today's Woman - 2000-2004
    • EXTRA on Your Home - 1998-2002
    • EXTRA on Your Kids - 1997-2004

[edit] Other Programs

In addition, Bay News 9 provides two content-exclusive programs which air regularly.

[edit] "Toyota Sports Connection"

The long-running sports-theme program airs every night at 11 p.m. (From the station's inception in 1997 to 2000, the show aired at 10:30pm) and focuses mainly on local sports but also big national sports stories. Its original host was former Tampa Bay Buccaneer David Logan, but Rock Riley took over as host when Logan died in 1999.The show replays on the local 24-hour local sports channel-Catch 47.

[edit] "Political Connections"

In 2005, as part of a partnership between Bay News 9 and the St. Petersburg Times, a new, half-hour, political themed show, "Political Connections", was introduced. The show is hosted by Al Ruechel and airs every Sunday at 11am. St. Pete Times contributor, Adam Smith, serves as a co-host and regularly introduces the lead guest on the show. In addition, there is also a commentary entitled "On the Soapbox", a weekly Viewer Center question (where viewers can voice their opinions), and the week's political headlines. There are also two political analysts who make regular appearances on the show. Former Florida Governor, Bob Martinez serves as Bay News 9's Republican Analyst, while former Tampa City Council member, Bob Buckhorn serves as the Democratic analyst.

[edit] Affiliated Stations

Bay News 9 offers an HD channel and several content-exclusive and On Demand channels. All are only available to Bright House Networks Digital Cable subscribers.

[edit] Bay News 9 HD (Channel 609)

The HD counterpart of the 24-hour news channel rolled out in spring 2006, along with a second round of graphics changes (the first graphics revamp occurred in 2004).

[edit] Bay News 9 en Español (Channel 139)

A 24-hour Spanish news channel that was launched in 2002. Unlike its English counterpart, the station reports on exclusive stories that meet the needs of Tampa's Spanish-speaking population. Segments and format both Bay News 9 and Bay News 9 en Español are similar.

[edit] Key Personalities (BN9 en Español)

[edit] Current Personalities
  • Lydia Guzman - Anchor
  • Sandra Pinto - Reporter
  • Roy DeJesus - Sports Anchor/Reporter

[edit] Past Personalities
  • Gloria Montoya - Anchor - 2002-2003
  • Lourdes Stefen - 2002-2003
  • Paola Stefan - Anchor/Reporter - 2003-2005
  • Enrique Pantera - Reporter - 2004-2005
  • Gissele Mariano - Anchor - 2004-2005
  • Keyla Concepción - Anchor/Reporter - 2005-2006
  • Carleth Keys - Anchor - 2002-2006

[edit] Bay News 9 Travel Weather Now (Channel 109)

The 24-hour weather network was originally conceived as "Bay News 9 Weather Now", and only provided a 24-hour local forecast, after its initial launch in 1999. The network was revamped in 2004 and re-launched as "Bay News 9 Travel Weather Now", a 24-hour weather network geared primarily towards business travelers. The network provides worldwide forecasts and travel/airport delays, as well as the traditional local forecast updates and Pinpoint Doppler 9000, featuring LIVE VIPIR every 10 minutes. some graphics and forecasts are provided by WSI Corporation.

[edit] Tampa Bay On Demand (Channel 340)

Launched in 2004, this interactive "travel guide" contains many reports and special programs relating to the Tampa Bay Area. Selections include, an event calendar, food and restaurant reviews aerial views of the Tampa Bay Area, and more. WMTX host and former WTVT reporter, Nancy Alexander makes an appearance on the network, through her new segment entitled "In Orbit".

[edit] Marketplace On Demand (Channel 341)

Launched in spring 2006, "Marketplace on Demand showcases a variety of local products and services and is an interactive component of Tampa Bay On Demand.

[edit] Bay News 9 On Demand (Channel 342)

Originally part of Tampa Bay On Demand, the news archive reports were consolidated into their own channel in mid 2006. In addition to the news archive (which includes archived video news reports and long-form programming {such as Suncoast Tiger Bay Club's political events}), other news programming and resources have been added to the new channel.

[edit] Local Partnerships

Bay News 9 has partnerships with various local newspapers and radio stations, including;

[edit] Studio

[edit] Main Studio

In June 2005, Bay News 9 moved from its original studios in Pinellas Park to a larger facility at the Carillon Office Complex in St. Petersburg (where Bright House Networks has its main St. Pete offices.) The new studio houses the latest in broadcasting technology, including large display screens in the main newsroom that show the latest breaking news headlines from various sources at one time (similar to CNN's The Situation Room.) The facility also houses four studios, a web center, and a large master control room, complemented by two smaller control rooms. The newsroom also features a large faux balcony wall with images of the Tampa area on it.

Most notably, the station was able to transition to the new facility without going off the air, thanks to the studio's new technologies. The final newscast in the old studio aired on the morning of June 27, 2005. The new facility became fully operational at 3:00pm the same day, with the airing of its first afternoon newscast.

In April 2006, Bay News 9 received a Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award in the category of station automation. For its streamlined newscasts and the technology that makes those newscasts possible.

[edit] County Bureaus

In addition to its studio, Bay News 9 also has several bureaus throughout the station's viewing area.

[edit] References

[edit] Main Studio Articles

[edit] Tallahassee Bureau Articles

[edit] Key Personalities

[edit] Current

  • Jen Holloway, weekday morning anchor
  • Al Ruechel, weekday afternoon/primetime anchor, host of "Political Connections"
  • Leigh Moody, weekday primetime co-anchor, overnight anchor
  • Erica Riggins, weekend morning/afternoon anchor, reporter
  • Rick Elmhorst, weekend primetime/overnight anchor, reporter
  • Mike Clay, chief meteorologist (AMS Broadcast Seal)
  • Juli Marquez, morning meteorologist (AMS Broadcast Seal)
  • Josh Linker, morning/evening meteorologist
  • Brian McClure, evening meteorologist
  • Diane Kachmirck, fill-in meteorologist (also appears on-air during severe weather events)
  • Alan Winfield, fill-in meteorologist (also appears on-air during severe weather events)
  • Russ Handler, traffic director/anchor
  • Chuck Henson, traffic reporter
  • Denise Moore, traffic reporter
  • Barbara A. Hart, traffic reporter
  • Rock Riley, sports director/anchor
  • Chris O'Connell, sports anchor/reporter
  • Terry O'Grady, business/financial reporter and a certified financial planner
  • Mellissa Eichman, health reporter

[edit] Former

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
  • Tanya Arja - general assignment reporter. Serving as a reporter for WTVT
  • Susan Casper - afternoon anchor/general assignment reporter (1997-2003). Serving as a freelance reporter for WFTS as of April 2006.
  • Greg Davis - general assignment reporter (1998-2000); sports reporter/producer (2000-2002)
  • Jenny Dean - anchor (various times) (2000-2005). Serving as a co-host for WTBT/103.5 FM in Tampa as of January 2006.
  • Brenda Fazzini - traffic director/general assignment reporter (1997-2003)
  • Sondra Guffey - business reporter (2000-2002)
  • Cheryl Keck - education reporter (2000-2002 (deceased))
  • April Kellogg - general assignment reporter (2000-2003), serving as a reporter for WTVT
  • Nadia Osman - general assignment reporter (2003-2005)
  • Tammy Robiconti - health reporter (2001-2006)
  • Debra Schrills - meteorologist (1999-2001)
  • Patricia Scott - evening/overnight anchor (1997-2001)
  • Shawn Sherlock - general assignment reporter (2001-2003)
  • Tyriney Sims - sports reporter (2002-2005)
  • Trey Thomas - general assignment reporter (2003-2006)
  • Doug Tobin- weekend anchor (2000-2002)
  • Susan Vessel - meteorologist (2001-2003)
  • Lynn Wright - general assignment reporter (2003-2005)
  • Gina Maravilla - anchor/reporter

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • In the Sarasota area, another similar channel, called SNN 6, can be seen on Comcast cable.

[edit] External links

Broadcast television in the Tampa / St. Petersburg / Sarasota market  (Nielsen DMA #12)

WEDU 3 (PBS) - WFLA 8 (NBC) - WTSP 10 (CBS) - WTVT 13 (Fox) - WLWA-LP 14 (Ind/Rel) - WPDS-LP 14 (Edu.) - W15CM 15 (AS) - WUSF 16 (PBS) - WHRT-CA 17 (Ind) - WSVT-CA 18 (DS) - WARP-CA 20 (MTV2) - WCLF 22 (CTN) - WXAX-LP 26 (AZA) - WFTS 28 (ABC) - WTAM-LP 30 (Multimedios)  - WMOR 32 (Ind) - W33CC 33 (Ind) - W34AW 34 (3ABN) - WSPF-CA 35 (St. Pete city access) - W36CO 36 (TBN) - WTTA 38 (MNTV) - WWSB 40 (ABC) - W43CE 43 (Ind) - WTOG 44 (The CW) - W48CN 48 (TBN) - WZRA-CA 48 (Ethnic/A1/NTV/CTV/DW) - WRMD-LP 49 (TEL) - WFTT 50 (TFU) - W56EB 56 (TBN) - W60CE 60 (TBN) - WVEA 62 (UNI) - WXPX 66 (i)
Local digital television channels

WYKE-LP 47 (FN)
Local cable television channels

Bay News 9  -  SNN News 6  -  Catch 47  -  FSN Florida  -  Sun Sports
Significantly Viewed Out-of-Market Broadcast Stations
Reception may vary by geographical location

Fort Myers: WINK 11 (CBS) - WFTX 36 (Fox)
Orlando: WKMG 6 (CBS) - WFTV 9 (ABC) - WOFL 35 (Fox)
Gainesville: WUFT 5 (PBS)
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