TV Talk: WTAE’s New News Director Discusses Future Plans; Very Local Launches ‘Sports Town Stories’ in Pittsburgh

May sweeps ratings period has kicked off for local TV stations, with new WTAE-TV news director Baylor Long at the helm. Long, who previously served as the station’s assistant news director, is focused on delivering a consistent product and supporting Channel 4’s journalists.

In a competitive landscape with KDKA-TV and WPXI-TV, Long emphasized the importance of valuing viewers’ time and staying connected with the community. He acknowledged the unique viewership in Pittsburgh, where audiences are highly engaged with TV newsrooms.

Meanwhile, Hearst’s Very Local streaming channel is set to debut a Pittsburgh episode of “Sports Town Stories,” featuring inspiring local athletes. From a high school swimmer with a rare genetic disorder to college basketball players and open water swimmers, the episode showcases a range of emotional and quirky stories.

In another exciting development, Carnegie Mellon University grads Dan Braido and Audley Wilson will pitch their innovative burger vending machine company, RoboBurger, on “Shark Tank.” The duo, who were fraternity brothers at CMU, will showcase their four-minute burger-making machine to the Sharks on WTAE-TV.

Additionally, Netflix’s latest comic book adaptation, “Dead Boy Detectives,” offers a supernatural mystery with British accents and a light-hearted tone. The series follows two teenage ghosts who solve mysteries with the help of a psychic, appealing to fans of similar supernatural shows.

As the TV landscape continues to evolve, with changes like the potential ban on non-compete clauses and new streaming content, viewers can expect a diverse range of programming to keep them entertained and engaged.