ABC Considering Midday Newscast?

By Kevin Allocca on Mar 16, 2010 02:56 PM

The NY Observer's Felix Gillette reports that ABC News execs have been considering a "midday news and lifestyle program that would be one part 'Good Morning America,' one part 'The View.'" From the NYO:

How ABC stations would fit the new show into their daytime line-up remains unclear--and it's still a strong possibility that the project will fizzle out long before it ever makes it onto the air. That said, according to our sources, ABC News executives have had preliminary discussions with internal and external candidates about what a midday news show might possibly look like.

Two names rumored for the gig: Ashleigh Banfield, who as we reported recently joined ABC News with a vague set of future responsibilities, and Tamron Hall, who's been a prominent dayside anchor on MSNBC. MSNBC had no comment. ABC SVP of creative development Phyllis McGrady is said to be overseeing the project.

Wasn't Ashleigh Banfield one of those generic women who was shoved all over MSNBC or one of those years ago and was a big flop?

So unnecessary.

Could this hit the air by the fall of this year?

It would be sad to lose three long-running soaps in the span of a year.

So unnecessary.

Could this hit the air by the fall of this year?

It would be sad to lose three long-running soaps in the span of a year.

Bye Bye OLTL.

ABC constantly looking for a new daytime show whether talk show or news show doesn't bode well for OLTL.

Bye Bye OLTL.

ABC constantly looking for a new daytime show whether talk show or news show doesn't bode well for OLTL.

Yup.

At least it won't be replaced by Aisha Tyler. She sucks.

Edited March 16, 201015 yr by Eric83

Why do they even need something that is a knockoff of The View? I guess they don't remember NBC's luck in trying too hard to make later version of "Today."

Why do they even need something that is a knockoff of The View? I guess they don't remember NBC's luck in trying too hard to make later version of "Today."

Are they still trying to send The View off into syndication? Maybe they hope lighting will strike twice.

Whatever show ABC decides on. ABC will fealize it is cheaper to produce than a soap and then bye bye AMC with only GH on the air.

Whatever show ABC decides on. ABC will fealize it is cheaper to produce than a soap and then bye bye AMC with only GH on the air.

GH won't last as a stand-alone soap. They might as well end it with AMC.

Edited March 16, 201015 yr by Eric83

I've seen this press release at least ten times in ten years. You can all gamble on its surefire development and production in less than twelve months if you want to, but even the news item is not that confident.

Are they still trying to send The View off into syndication? Maybe they hope lighting will strike twice.

I think lightning is more likely to strike unbearable and woefully out of touch Baba and the other peabrained sycophants on the View than it is to be popular in syndication. But they may believe this is some way to go. Who knows. I think people are tired of these half-assed daytime informational/talk shows. They might as well just rip off a medical show like The Doctors.

Yup.

At least it won't be replaced by Aisha Tyler. She sucks.

Whatever happened with Aisha's show? I happen to like her and think that she could work with the right vehicle. Unfortunately that vehicle has already been taken by Wanda Sykes.

GH won't last as a stand-alone soap. They might as well end it with AMC.

Yes it will. It the cheapest of the ABC shows to produce and it always has the highest 18-49 demos.

It will be a trifecta: The View Part 2, Aisha! and Ashleigh Banfield will replace all the soaps in eight months. Or maybe they will rotate in OLTL's slot. Of course, it all makes sense.

I think people are tired of these half-assed daytime informational/talk shows.

+1.

They might as well just rip off a medical show like The Doctors.

What Doctors exactly?