TV Q&A: What’s up with Channel 11’s helicopter?
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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: I’m not a usual WPXI-TV viewer, but I did catch a commercial promoting Chopper 11. I remember they got rid of Chopper 11. Did they get a replacement?
— David via email
Rob: WPXI-TV and KDKA-TV continue to share an unmarked chopper even though video on air may brand the chopper to each individual station.
My understanding is the new Channel 11 promo uses a CGI re-creation of the old Chopper 11.
Q: What’s up with the new KDKA-TV graphics format? The desk monitor is now a boring black and yellow block instead of a picture of the KDKA logo, and there’s no more “Your Day Pittsburgh” title in the 4:30-7 a.m. broadcast. Not liking it.
— Brian via email
Rob: Late last month, KDKA-TV adopted a new graphics package similar to graphics used on other CBS-owned stations across the country. The new look emphasizes “CBS News Pittsburgh,” better aligning the TV station with its CBS News Pittsburgh streaming product that Viacom CBS big wigs see as the future.
KDKA did manage to keep its call letters as part of the design (and got a localized black and gold color scheme). However, the new logo loses the Channel 2 element, which is honestly less important to the station’s identity in the Pittsburgh market than the call letters. So, all-in-all, seems to me the station fared pretty well in this corporate update.
Q: I always watched “Dr. Phil” at 3 p.m. on KDKA-TV. Since Heather Abraham took over this time slot March 20, is “Dr. Phil’ being broadcast anywhere else?
— Kay via email
Rob: Yes, in reporting on the announcement of the Abraham-hosted “Talk Pittsburgh” last month, I included the news that “Dr. Phil,” soon to end its run, relocated to 5 p.m. weekdays on WPCW-TV.
Q: Why did EPIX change its name to MGM+? What did that accomplish? And why are there constantly James Bond movies on MGM+?
— Katie, Scott Township
Rob: There are constantly James Bond movies on MGM+ because MGM distributes the Bond franchise of films.
As for the January name change from Epix to MGM+, Epix originally was a joint venture among Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and MGM. In 2017, MGM bought out its partners. Then, when Amazon bought MGM in 2021, the decision was made that it would be better to name the cable channel/streaming service after something with more brand equity: MGM has been around since 1924; Epix was created in 2009.
“The opportunity to build a platform on the MGM name is a huge privilege. It’s a gift,” MGM+ president Michael Wright said in January during the Television Critics Association winter 2023 press tour in Pasadena, Calif. “The MGM brand is one of the most venerable and beloved brands in the history of our industry. It means something.”
As for the plus in MGM+, well, all the cool(ish) kids are doing it (Paramount+, Apple TV+, etc.) so Epix/MGM/Amazon simply followed that trend.