TV Talk: KDKA-TV names station veteran as news director

Almost two months after the departure of news director Shawn Hoder for the top news department job at CBS’s Atlanta affiliate, KDKA-TV named Cathy Noschese its news director.

Noschese has worked at KDKA for three decades, rising from production assistant to writer, producer, executive producer, managing editor and most recently assistant news director. She began working at Channel 2 in 1986 as a station intern.

KDKA general manager Julie Eisenman referenced Noschese’s decades of experience in announcing her promotion. Noschese was unavailable for an interview.

PFO podcast

Those interested in the local TV/film production industry or in career paths into that business should listen to the Pittsburgh Film Office’s “Screen Perspectives” podcast, available wherever you get podcasts or online at pghfilm.org/screening-room/screen-perspectives-podcast.

Hosted by PFO Director Dawn Keezer and University of Pittsburgh teaching professor Kevin M. Smith, the podcast releases new episodes biweekly, featuring conversations with entertainment industry professionals.

“Screen Perspectives” is nine episodes into a planned 24-episode second season that began in June with a hilariously profane three-part interview with film director Kevin Smith, who made “Dogma” and “Zach and Miri Make a Porno” in Pittsburgh.

Other episodes this season include conversations with voice actor/dialect coach Don Wadsworth and casting director July Bouley, who share stories about how they got into the business and anecdotes about the realities of working in TV and film production.

Apple TV+ re-ups Peanuts

A new deal will keep old and new specials featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang on Apple TV+ through at least 2030.

Apple will continue to make classic Peanuts holiday specials available for free to non-subscribers on select days, including “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (Oct. 18 and 19), “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (Nov. 15-16) and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Dec. 13-14).

Kept/canceled

Netflix ordered two seasons of a “Peaky Blinders” sequel series set in 1953 Britain.

Paramount+ with Showtime’s “The Chi” will end with its upcoming eighth season.

Channel surfing

TheWrap.com reports new CBS owner Skydance is poised to name Squirrel Hill native Bari Weiss editor-in-chief of CBS News as part of Skydance’s expected acquisition of Weiss’ “anti-woke” crusading The Free Press. … NBC reached a new deal to maintain its presence on YouTube TV that will also include NBC Sports Network, which will launch later this fall. … “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal will host a 90-minute 30th anniversary special devoted to the series (8 p.m. Nov. 24) and the classic sitcom will join the MeTV lineup Oct. 13, airing 9-10 p.m. weeknights and 10-11 p.m. Sunday. MeTV is carried locally over the air at Channel 11.2, on Comcast (Channels 190/207/1169), On Verizon FiosTV (465), Armstrong (92), DirecTV (77) and on DISH Network (247).