TV Talk: WTAE adds 4 p.m. newscast

Rob Owen
Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:30 a.m. | Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:30 a.m.

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WTAE-TV

Andrew Stockey will be among the WTAE talent on a new 4 p.m. newscast that launches Tuesday.

In an unsurprising move, WTAE will replace low-rated talk show “Ellen” at 4 p.m. with a newscast anchored by Andrew Stockey and Kelly Sasso. Meteorologist Jeff Verszyla will provide weather forecasts.

WTAE’s 4 p.m. newscast, which begins Tuesday, will compete head-to-head with news on KDKA-TV. WPXI-TV currently airs “Judge Judy” in that time period.

For several years having “Ellen” as a lead-in has been a drag on ratings for WTAE’s 5 p.m. newscast. Contractual obligations likely prevented WTAE from replacing “Ellen” with a local newscast any sooner.

On Tuesday, “Ellen” will move from 4 p.m. to 3 p.m., bumping “Tamron Hall” from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. “Dr. Oz” gets the unluckiest move, going from 10 a.m. to 1:05 a.m.