TV Q&A: Will WPXI add a noon co-anchor?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: Four months after Peggy Finnegan’s retirement and with the pandemic still ongoing, will WPXI-TV fill the co-anchor position on the noon news with Gordon Loesch?

— Jim, Clarion

Rob: The noon broadcast tends to be a low priority for local TV stations because viewership is often lower than in some other time periods, particularly among the key demo prized by advertisers, adults 18-49. And perhaps also because noon is the rare time period in Pittsburgh where one station (KDKA) has an overwhelming lead; margins of victory are typically slimmer in other time periods.

Channel 11 may add a co-anchor at noon or the station may opt for a solo anchor format for the foreseeable future. Per WPXI news director Scott Trabandt, “We have nothing to share at this point” about a noon co-anchor.

Q: I noticed Kym Gable doing the 6 p.m. news on KDKA-TV repeatedly. I know she was a longtime freelancer but I noticed on KDKA’s website (in her bio) they have named her the co-anchor for the 4 and 6 p.m. news. I didn’t see any sort of announcement. I like Kym. But isn’t it rare to name someone co-anchor without an announcement?

— Kurt, McCandless

Rob: I addressed the freelance issue a bit last week, but I understand why Kurt would find it odd to 1) make a freelancer co-anchor of a primary newscast and 2) not bother announcing it.

According to KDKA news director Kathy Hostetter, Gable has been co-anchoring the 4 and 6 p.m. newscasts since mid-2020, so around the time ViacomCBS layoffs led to the departures of Susan Koeppen and Rick Dayton.

My understanding is Gable was never named co-anchor of those broadcasts internally or externally beyond the change to her bio on the station website; she’s just been on the schedule to anchor those newscasts.

My guess is some of this is a result of just rolling with the unexpected (a pandemic, layoffs) and perhaps it’s also related to internal turmoil among the CBS corporate executive ranks. Whatever the reason, Gable is a dependable anchor and has been since her days on WPGH-TV’s newscast 20 years ago.

Q: I wonder when the reporters will remove the masks when standing in front of Heinz Field or other outdoor locations at 6 a.m. No one is near them and it looks foolish.

— Donn via email

Rob: There’s been an upswing in attacks on the press by obnoxious people the reporters encounter while working in the field. Just last week a reporter in Greensboro, N.C., was spat on while setting up in the field. Fortunately the reporter was masked.

Classless imbeciles run up to reporters with some frequency while they are doing a live shot or taped report so it is wise for reporters to take precautions.

Because of these unfortunate incidents worldwide, reporters should follow safety protocols and continue wearing masks to protect themselves. And viewers are encouraged to give reporters some grace in this matter of personal safety.

KDKA-TV’s Ross Guidotti tweeted last month about the senseless online harassment he received for wearing a mask.

Q: Is ABC’s “The Chase” done for the season?

— Kitty, Speers

Rob: All of the first season of “The Chase” has already aired. The show will return with new episodes at 9 p.m. June 6.