Sunday, October 26, 2014

Changes coming to WLBT

JJ has confirmed that WLBT news director Wilson Stribling will return to the morning show tomorrow.  He hosted the show as co-anchor before assuming the job of assistant news director.  He replaced long-time news director Dennis Smith upon Mr. Smith's retirement last year.  He will replace Brandon Artiles.  Mr. Artiles left WLBT Friday to join WLBT alumni Katina Rankin and Paul Williams at the Fox affiliate in Memphis. A reader sent this email about changes at WLBT:



This is big - Wilson Stribling is stepping down as News Director at WLBT, Raycom Media's NBC affiliate in Jackson and will return to anchoring the early morning newscasts, which he did for several years prior to becoming Assistant News Director a few years ago and then News Director in early 2013 replacing Dennis Smith.  Wilson is a Jackson native and will remain as News Director until a replacement is named.
 
  WLBT has been suffering from a slow erosion of ratings in recently years   WAPT now commands the number 1 news ratings in the 25 - 54 year old demographic - the most important demographic since that's what advertisers use to place their commercials.  WLBT has also lost its 5 AM news lead, so placing Wilson there could be a plus for the station. 
 
  WLBT also lost a number of key on-air people in the last year....Paul Williams, morning meteorologist now in Memphis as is Katina Rankin, with whom he worked for about 4 years....Bert Case, nearly 40 years at WLBT before being forced to " retire" now at WAPT.....Rob Jay, quitting after 22 years now as General Manager at Jackson State's TV station.  WLBT General Manager Dan Modisett is retiring at the end of the year and will be placed by TedFortenberry who comes from the Raycom station in Myrtle Beach, SC

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who watches the local news? And why?

I get everything I need on my phone. Only old people who still read the newspaper still watch local news.

Anonymous said...

I see Heather Sophia (too bad she didn't get in the hottest "chick" contest a few months ago) has recently reappeared at WLBT after she just vanished from WAPT.

But be honest everyone, don't we all miss Eric (wanna see my forecast little girl) Law?

Anonymous said...

I'd love to know the real story behind Katina Rankin leaving. She was gone for several weeks, came back two days, and quit. It almost seems like she was suspended, came back, and quit/was fired. No fanfare like they've given just about everyone else, just gone. Very odd.

Plus, if WLBT/WDBD is not going to start a central Mississippi weather channel, do they really need 28 meteorologists on staff?

Anonymous said...

All they need is Heather. Damn she is gorgeous.

I Watch The News/Weather said...

I'm just glad that Katina Rankin woman is gone. Pure drama. Nothing but goofy assed drama. Same with Paul Williams. He could not decide if he wanted to be a preacher or a comedian. Could not decipher his weather forcasts for the life of me. And thank God Barbie is gone. She wanted to be a movie star and 'all about me' personality. Hell, is this the reason people watch the news/weather? Did I yet say thank God Katina Drama-
Queen Rankin is gone?

Anonymous said...

9:09 is a BITCH.

Kingfish said...

They are better off with KR gone. Behind the scenes she was a drama queen and a cancer. Several employees left rather than continue dealing with her. I liked Paul. I always thought he was pretty good.

Anonymous said...

Something is going on at Walt behind the scenes, time will tell.....

Kelleg said...

Katina left for a larger market in NC and ended up coming back to Jackson with a 5 AM time slot. Anyone know what happened in NC?

Anonymous said...

I once told Paul (Williams), during a break, that humor is a dangerous thing with the inexperienced.....but that didn't stop him from trying.

BIGGEST drama queen ever was Kristen McFann (stage name she used at WAPT).

Anonymous said...

Bring back Wendy Suares!!

Anonymous said...

10/26 @ 9:09 I could not have said it better myself. That stupid Katina Rankin was the worst newscaster WLBT ever had. Between her and cross-eyed Brandon ARtilles, I just quit turning the TV on in the mornings. Katina was a straight up ghetto black "woman." (and I use the term woman loosely). Her slutty clothes and inability to articulate ANY sentence was a complete and total nightmare. Glad Paul Williams is gone and damn sure glad Barbie "pop another kid out" Basset is gone. Anyone who refers to their children as "Bassett Hounds" ought to be tarred and feathered. I hope Wilson got to keep the pay increase that I'm sure he got when he moved to the asst news director role. It will be worth it to have him back in the mornings. And you fools that think Heather Sophia is a good weather person are crazy.

Anonymous said...

It was good to see Wilson back....watched Ch. 3 this morning for the first time in a loooonnng time.

And I like Heather Sophia......she's a real cutie.

Anonymous said...

Hearing Katina Rankin attempt to pronounce "President Oh-bummah" and "Guff Coast" will never be missed.

Anonymous said...

"ghetto black "woman" "slutty clothes"

Hard to see how this raises the level of discussion on JJ.

MM said...

Katina had huge problems pronouncing words correctly. That probably got her canned in NC.

Anonymous said...

10/27 @ 10:23 I'm sorry - did I miss an instruction somewhere that anyone who commented on this post was supposed to be "raising the level of discussion?"

Maybe you're a Katina fan (or Paul/Brandon fan) and are butt hurt because there are people out here who think her elitist attitude on air and sheer incompetence when it comes to grammar and articulation are inexcusable.

Anonymous said...

You've got the best joint Kingfish. Bar None! Stay classy.

Anonymous said...

Good grief...I have never felt so passionate about local tv anchors in my life. Some of these comments are ridiculous. Get a life people. How rude can you be?

Anonymous said...

@11:04......HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!
Ironic this thread is about local T.V. personalities, (who some "think" they are Hollywood" super stars) and you remark that rude comments aimed at them.
I have read every post made, and many of them are so much on target. You would not believe some of stuff that comes out of their mouths when the camera is off.
And by the way, radio DJ's are much in the same.
Sorry to burst your bubble.

I Watch The News/Weather said...

Well, my dream was just dashed. Barbie is on tonite. The cosmetics empire must not have produced.

If Stribbling had done his job, he'd have canned the drama queen Rankin two years ago instead of ignoring viewer complaints. When Wilson pushed Berrrrt out the door, his fate was sealed; but, they've allowed him to make 'face saving' comments if you read today's paper. "I've really been wanting this demotion for a long time and it's such a welcome opportunity for me and my family to be removed from the corner office."

Again, Paul was a wannabee comedian whose forecasts could NOT be understood except when said 'It gonna rain!'

Heather Sophia (catchy name for a Bourbon Street gal) is (or has been) on Supertalk for months, if that might explain her absence.

Maybe Modisett finally realized it was time to bench the coach. It's actually time to fire Modisett.

Anonymous said...

@5:13
Continue to laugh and be rude. It's not becoming on anyone. I never said I thought these people were wonderful but I certainly am not going to tear them down. There's a saying that to me is "on target" as well...

What Susie said of Sally says more about Susie than of Sally.

Anonymous said...

Ted Fortenberry was run out of MB


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