Bay News 9 is a cable news television network located in St Petersburg, Florida. It currently serves the Tampa Bay Area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. The station, which is exclusive to Bright House Networks customers, broadcasts news 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of some special programming, including a weekly political program, Political Connections.
It was created by cable service operator Time Warner Cable, which managed the system at the time and now is the main content provider for the new system known as Bright House Networks, to make local news available continuously throughout this fast-growing region. Bay News 9's logo, designed by J.C. Burns of Atlanta, has remained the same since 1997.
The station began operating on September 24, 1997 and gives weather updates every 10 minutes "on the nines" and more frequently during serious weather ocnditions. Vice President of Local Programming for Bright House Networks Elliott Wiser came from Seattle to create the station. His drawing of the original wheel remains on the wall of the station hallway. Wiser also created the Bay News 9 weather channel, a Spanish news channel, Tampa Bay On Demand, Bay News 9 On Demand and the station's web site. He also created a 24-hour sports channel called Catch 47 (later renamed Bright House Sports Network) and has since turned the local Spanish channel into a regional network called InfoMás.
In 2002, Bay News 9 was the first TV station in the area to provide a VIPIR Doppler radar system. In 2007, Bay News 9 became the first station in Florida and only a handful of stations to provide a Dual-Pole Doppler Radar system. On Monday, January 5, 2009, Bay News 9 launched its upgraded doppler rader system called Klystron 9. This new system is capable of seeing weather features in greater detail than other Doppler radar systems. [5]
Klystron 9 combines, for the first time in history, a dual Polarimetry radar, Klystron tube, Pulse Compression technology and a 1.25-million watt transmitter. That combination of technology makes Klystron 9 the most powerful television radar in the world. Klystron 9 has the ability to see storms other radards can't see and see deeper into those storms. The Klystron 9's dual-pol technology even tells meteorologists the sizes and shape of raindrops and makes the distinction between rain and ice.
Former WTSP news anchor Al Ruechel was one of its first anchors and remains with the operation. Three original anchors remain with the station: Ruechel, Mike Clay, and Alan Winfield. Winfield only works during hurricanes after leaving the station full time in 2006 to join a religious ministry. In December 2008, Jen Holloway left the station to join the parent company, Bright House Networks as a marketing spokesperson. Weekend morning anchor, Erica Riggins replaced her spot [6].
Bay News 9 is seen on channel 9 on all systems, except for Pasco County, where it is seen on channel 6 (WTSP is on channel 9, due to its transmitter location). The newscasts (with the exception of Your Morning News segments) are recorded for repeat broadcasts with breaking news and weather forecasts inserted almost hourly.
Bay News 9 provides the following newscasts and segments as part of its 24-hour news cycle:
- Your Morning News - Your Morning News began airing in 2000 and provides news, traffic, and weather from 5 to 9 a.m. on weekdays. There is also a weekend edition that airs from 6 to 10 a.m. In June 2008, Bay News 9 began airing traffic updates six times an hour, as opposed to four times an hour (which was the standard since the station's inception). Updates now occur right after the weather segments at :00 and :30 past the hour, as well as the usual :09, :19, :39, and :49 past the hour.
- Your Evening News - Your Evening News also began airing in 2000.
- The 7:00 News - In 2003, Bay News 9 introduced The 7:00 News, a prime-time newscast that provides breaking news, the day's top stories and a national news segment called 'The Nightly News Digest'. This separate newscast has since been immersed into Your Evening News, which has aired since 2000.
- 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 ended in 2002.
- Health Team 9 - In 1999, Bay News 9 introduced a team of experts who reported on a variety of medical issues. Health Team 9 included Dr. Steven Seltzer, Dr. Robert DiMasi, Dr. Jacentha Buggs, and Dr. Linda McClintock who along with Dr. Steve O'Brien, a licensed psychologist, reported the latest medical news on Health Team 9 Health Watch every morning. "Health Team 9 Medical Beat" during the primetime news is reported by the evening anchor. One of the original Health Team 9 members, Dr. Joette Giovinco, now works for WTVT. Iin June 2011, the Medical Beach was replaced with Priority Health, where Dr. Randy Shuck answers health questions sent in by viewers. Health Watch was replaced with Health Headlines, the medical news of the day. Dr. Steve O'Brien continues to serve as Bay News 9's mental health expert.
These have long since been a staple of Bay News 9. They are primarily geared towards an array of lifestyle topics.
Multi-day reports
- Priority Health: Health Issues - reported by Dr. Randy Shuck; airs Monday-Friday at :42/hour, beginning at 5 p.m.
- Every Wednesday is a transportation report titled Getting There, which highlights major roadway projects and other traffic-related issues.
- Every Sunday is a technology report titled Technology and You, which highlights different technologies that can make a difference in today's world. Sometimes, local inventors and companies are profiled in this report.
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 longtime Tampa newsman Bill Murphy; Airs Monday mornings/afternoons @ :53/hour
- Extra on the Web - website profiles/reviews; reported by Al Ruechel; airs Friday afternoons at :23/hour.
- The Chef's Kitchen - delectable cuisines and recipes; hosted by Roy De Jesús; airs Wednesdays at :53/hour.
- Note: "Floyd the Food Guy" recipes are still available on "Tampa Bay On Demand".
- Mrs. Fixit - home improvement tips; Syndicated feature hosted by "Mrs. Fixit" (Terri McGraw); airs Thursday mornings and Sunday evenings at :53/hour.
- Extra on the Town'' - Weekend event calendar; reported by Tampa Bay On Demand's Virginia Johnson; airs Friday mornings at :53/hour.
- Florida on a Tankful - reported by Tampa Bay On Demand's Scott Fais; airs Saturday mornings at :53/hour.
- Extra on Gardening - After sitting on hiatus since 2004, this Extra report has recently made a comeback. Hosted by Tom MacCubbin; airs Saturday evenings at :53/hour.
Note: ##/hour means :## past the hour. Example: :42/hour means :42 past the hour.
In March 2008, Bay News 9 revamped its news cycle, eliminating the "Beyond the Bay" segment at :42 past the hour and replacing it with the EXTRA segment from :23 past the hour. The segment at :23 past the hour is now local news coverage. In recent years, weekend traffic reports were also eliminated to expand local news coverage. The format returns to the "original" news cycle, with EXTRAS appearing at :23 and :53 past the hour during the primetime and overnight newscasts.
- Health Team 9 Medical Beat (1999-2011)
- Health Team 9 Health Watch (1999-2011)
- Extra on Your Health (1997-1999; cancelled after "Health Team 9" was formed)
- Extra on Today's Woman (2000-2004)
- Extra on Gardening (first incarnation; 1999-2004)
- Extra on Your Home (1998-2002)
- Extra on Your Kids (1997-2004)
- Extra on Your Plate (2002-2007)
- Extra on the Water
- Dining Out with Mike Reeves
In addition, Bay News 9 provides one content-exclusive program, which airs regularly:
- 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 11 a.m. (with a replay at 6:30 p.m.). St. Pete Times contributor, Adam Smith, serves as a co-host. There are also two political analysts who make regular appearances on the show. Former University of South Florida President and past Fla. Commissioner of Education Betty Castor serves as Bay News 9's Democrat Analyst[1], while political consultant and Irreverent View publisher Christopher Ingram serves as the Republican analyst[2].
- Toyota Sports Connection - The long-running sports-theme program used to air every night at 11 p.m on Bay News 9. (originally, the show aired at 10:30 p.m.). In 2010, the show was moved to Bright House Sports Network, where it can be seen live at 11pm and repeated throughout the next day. The show 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 when Logan died in 1999.
Bay News 9 has partnerships with various local newspapers and radio stations, including:
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.
- "Your News All The Time" (1997–2002)
- "Your News Channel" (2002–present)
[edit] Current on-air staff[3]
Anchors
- Veronica Cintron - weekday primetime and overnights
- Rick Elmhorst - weekend evenings and overnights; also Polk County reporter
- Holly Gregory - weekend mornings and Pinellas County reporter
- Erica Riggins - weekday mornings
- Al Ruechel - weekday afternoons and evenings; also host of "Political Connections"
Weather team
- Mike Clay (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and NWA Seals of Approval) - chief meteorologist; weekday afternoons
- Juli Marquez (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; weekday mornings
- Josh Linker (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; weekend mornings, afternoons and evenings
- Brian McClure (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; member, NWA) - meteorologist; weekday evenings
- Diane Kacmarik (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; fill-in
- Alan Winfield (AMS Seal of Approval) - hurricane expert (former chief meteorologist)
Traffic
- Chuck Henson - traffic reporter; weekday mornings
- Brandon Scott - traffic reporter; weekday afternoons
Reporters
- Dalia Dangerfield - Pinellas County Newsroom reporter
- Laurie Davison - general assignment reporter
- Melissa Eichman - Pinellas County reporter
- Josh Gauntt - Pinellas County reporter
- Cheryl Glassford - Polk County reporter
- Holly Gregory - Pinellas County reporter
- Ashley Jeffery - general assignment reporter
- Troy Kinsey - political reporter (also reporter for Central Florida News 13)
- Jason Lanning - general assignment reporter
- Jonathan Petramala - Citrus County reporter
- Trevor Pettiford - general assignment reporter
- Josh Rojas - general assignment reporter
- Summer Smith - general assignment reporter (also fills in for anchors)
- Anna Tataris - general assignment reporter
- Kristy Wolski - Pinellas County Newsroom reporter
- Ferdinand Zogbaum - Hernando County reporter
Bay News 9 offers an HD channel and several content-exclusive and On Demand channels available only to cable subscribers.
[edit] Bay News 9 HD (Channel 1009-1209)
The 1080i HD counterpart of the 24-hour news channel rolled out in spring 2006, along with a round of graphics changes. However, despite the channel launch, the news broadcast aren't taped or aired in HD. Instead it is a 4:3 480i broadcast up-scaled to 1080i with stylized pillarboxing. Then on October 20, 2011, Bay News 9 and Spanish language InfoMás began broadcasting their newscasts in 16:9 high-definition. Along with the new wide screen format, Bay News 9 introduced a slightly different graphics package.[4]
[edit] Bay News 9 en Español (Channel 900 - formerly Channel 139)
A 24-hour Spanish news channel was launched in 2002 by then-General Manager Elliott Wiser. Unlike its English counterpart, the station reports on exclusive stories that meet the needs of Tampa's Spanish-speaking population. Bay News 9 en Español is notable in that it is the first of its kind 24-hour local news channel in the nation [7]. In 2010, the channel began airing Major League Baseball and NBA games in Spanish.
In March 2011, Bright House announced the merging of the Spanish-language news channels of Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13 into a new channel, InfoMás.[5] The regional network launched on July 12, 2011.[6]
Anchors
- Lydia Guzmán - weekday mornings and afternoons
- Idamis Toledo - weekday evenings and overnight loop
Reporters
- Miguel Amantegui - general assignment reporter
- Liz Evora - general assignment reporter
- Irma Murillo - general assignment reporter
- Giorgina Pinedo-Rolón - entertainment reporter and host of Revista
- Johanna Usma - general assignment reporter
[edit] Bright House Networks 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.
In October 2009, Bright House Networks renamed "Bay News 9 Travel Weather Now" to "Bright House Networks Travel Weather Now" also stating that it is provided by Bay News 9.
[edit] Tampa Bay on Demand (Channel 340)
This on-demand channel offers local entertainment programming. It features reporter Virginia Johnson who features the people and places in the Tampa Bay entertainment scene. The channel also provides cooking segments with Roy DeJesus, restaurant reviews, wine reviews, celebrity interviews, and holiday features. There is a second channel, Bay News 9 on Demand, which features long-form news material like press conferences.
- Former sister station, Capital News 9 in Albany, New York, had a similar logo style, which was discarded in March 2010 when it was rebranded as YNN Capital Region.
- Bright House Networks has a sister station in Orlando known as Central Florida News 13. That channel also offers Spanish and on-demand programming. News 13 became available to digital subscribers on Bright House systems in the Tampa Bay area in December 2010. In converse, Bay News 9 became available to Orlando and Central Florida digital Bright House subscribers around this time, on channel 1209.[7]
- Bay News 9 and News 13 are both CNN affiliate stations.
- Terry Dolan was announced as the station's new general manager, starting May 19, 2008.[8]
- Dolan left in 2010. He was replaced by Rod Gramer, who began as general manager in July 2011.[9]
- A portion of the 2011 film Dolphin Tale was filmed in the Bay News 9 studio. Bay News 9 also has a webcam where visitors can watch Winter (dolphin) from her home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.[10][11]
Project Weather consists of Science Kits which are distributed to all 6th grade public school teachers in the 7-county viewing area and Project Weather Activity Books for pre-school and elementary aged children. Bay News 9 has an interactive exhibit called WeatherQuest at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, a news and weather exhibit in Lakeland at the Explorations V Children's Museum and a Project Weather Classroom at the Science Center in Pinellas County. Additionally meteorologists go to hurricane expos and schools to education about weather.
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| English stations |
WEDU (3.1 PBS, 3.3 FL Chan, 3.4 World) · WFLA (8.1 NBC, 8.2 Me-TV) · WTSP (10.1 CBS, 10.2 Weather) · WTVT (13.1 Fox) · WPDS-LD (14.1-4 Edu.) · W15CM 15 (unknown) · WUSF (16.1 PBS, 16.2 Kids, 16.3 Create, 16.4 Knowledge) · WSVT 18 (Daystar) · WARP-CD (20.1-20.4 infomercials) · WCLF (22.1 CTN, 22.3 CTN National, 22.4 LifeStyle) · WFTS (28.1 ABC, 28.2 Live Well) · WTAM-LD (30.1 My Family TV, 30.3 Infomercials) · W31CZ-D (31.1 TBN) · WMOR (32.1 Ind, 32.2 This TV) · W33CC 33 (HSN) · WSPF 35 (city of St. Pete) · WTTA (38.1 MNTV) · W43CE-D (43.1 unknown) · WTOG (44.1 CW) · WVEA-LP 46 (HSN) · WZRA 48 (Ethnic/A1/NTV/CTV/DW) · WXPX (66.1 ION, 66.2 Qubo, 66.3 Life)
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| Spanish stations |
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| Defunct |
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Regional and local television news channels in North America
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| Canada |
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| United States |
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| Defunct |
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Note: This is an incomplete list
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