Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 07, 2008 at 12:23:15:
In Reply to: Mark Suppelsa joins WGN-TV, WGN Newscasts expanded posted by chicagomedia.org on July 07, 2008 at 12:18:51:
Trib's WGN signs Mark Suppelsa, expands news
Along with the hiring of news anchor Mark Suppelsa, WGN-Channel 9 announced a major expansion of its news programming Monday.
In addition to anchoring the Tribune Co.-owned station's flagship 9 p.m. weekday news hour alongside Allison Payne, Suppelsa and Payne will anchor a new half-hour newscast at 5:30 p.m. weekdays, starting in September.
Channel 9 also will expand its noon news hour to 90 minutes, airing from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, to be anchored by Steve Sanders and Micah Materre, starting in September.
Sanders, a 26-year veteran of Channel 9 who has been anchoring the 9 p.m. newscast with Payne for 15 years, agreed to a multiyear renewal and a transfer to anchoring the midday news. He replaces Tom Negovan, who shifts to full-time general assignment reporting.
"Anchoring 'WGN News at Nine' and working with Allison for the past 15 years has been a great experience," Sanders said. "I'm excited about this expanded format for 'The WGN Midday News,' and I look forward to having more time to cover stories of interest for our daytime viewers."
Suppelsa joins Channel 9 from Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, where he spent five years as top news anchor before he chose not to renew his contract last March. He previously spent 10 years at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.
"I am thrilled to be able to join WGN," Suppelsa said. "WGN holds a special place in the history and tradition of Chicago news and their expansion plans are in keeping with that tradition, and I consider myself fortunate to become a part of it."
Tom Ehlmann, vice president and general manager of Channel 9, said: "More local news programming throughout the day has been our objective for some time now. Our current newscasts are well-established with viewers, all ranking No. 1 in the ratings in the morning, at noon and at nine. This truly allows us to expand from a position of strength.
"Our experienced and well-known on-air team of anchors and reporters has helped make WGN 'Chicago's Very Own' station for local news and information for many years. We are excited to continue this commitment to Chicago, on a larger scale, for many years to come," Ehlmann said.
(Feder)