What’s New? The Latest Local TV News Promos

The holidays are behind us, a New Year is in front of us, and it’s time to get down to business. So I went searching to find the latest promos from TV stations across the country.

Let’s start with this very timely weather spot from WBZ, the CBS O&O in Boston, about how savage winter can be in New England. Keep in mind that Mt. Washington, N.H., the highest point east of the Mississippi, is one of the coldest spots on earth and recorded a wind chill of -97F the other day.

I like the way the this spot picked winter weather terms from the station’s recent on-air coverage to highlight how bad the weather has been there in the past couple weeks.

WBZ Boston

When it comes to weather radar, it’s hard to demonstrate how one station’s radar is any better than that of the other stations in the market.

But this spot from NBC O&O WNBC New York does a pretty good job of saying “my radar is better than your radar.”

“More accurate, so precise, it shows real-time conditions at street level,” the spot claims, making it appear that the other stations’ radar don’t.

WBNC New York

Here’s another spot from WNBC and co-owned WNJU (Telemundo) promising coverage from WNBC’s new bureau in San Juan of Puerto Rico’s rebuilding from the damage done by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

This is perhaps one of the more under-reported stories from 2017.

WNBC/Telemundo47 New York

The freezing cold weather throughout most of the country over the past few weeks has been the topic of conversations everywhere. And weather forecasters need only to report the record-breaking temps, the sub-zero wind chills and blizzard to get our attention. In this spot from WJLA, Sinclair’s ABC affiliate in Washington, the station promises to not over-hype the forecast.

WJLA, Washington, D.C.

Winter has been a very bad boy so far this year. In this bluesy spot from WPTA, winter confesses that he loves messing up your day. WPTA is the ABC affiliate in Fort Wayne, Ind., owned by Quincy. But, there is a way to keep winter from reigning mayhem down on you.

WPTA Fort Wayne

Here’s a spot from WFAA, Tegna’s ABC affiliate in Dallas, on a subject that happens regularly in local TV, but is not often the subject of a station promo.

Alexa Conomos is leaving WFAA after 17 years doing the morning news. This is a really classy promo honoring not only the contribution of Conomos, but also honoring the viewers who watched her over the years.

Conomos is leaving WFAA to pursue a new family business venture.

WFAA Dallas

Here’s a little longer tribute to Conomos from her co-workers. Again, this shows real class.

Here’s a spot focusing on the New Year, 2018. This is from WAVE, Raycom’s NBC affiliate in Louisville, Ky.

John Boel states his New Year’s resolution, to continue to make a difference through compelling storytelling. Boel’s anchors the morning news on WAVE.

I think Boel make a stunning admission in the spot, saying that “compelling storytelling is about one of the last reasons left to watch local news.”

WAVE Louisville

I have to add this spot from WSBK, CBS’s MyNetwork TV affiliate in Boston. I imagine the producer coming home after creating this spot and telling everyone what he did that day.

“Oh, I watched hours of footage of The Three Stoogies to find just the right clips to use in a promo.”

Some days are indeed better than others in the local TV marketing biz.

WSBK Boston