WFMZ-TV
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WFMZ-TV is a general interest independent television station in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which is part of the Philadelphia DMA. Its studio and transmitter are located on South Mountain in Allentown. WFMZ went on the air on Thanksgiving 1976 with two daily newscasts and a mix of religious and general interest programming.
WFMZ mainly serves the Lehigh Valley and Berks County areas with cable coverage in much of the Philadelphia DMA. There is over the air signal coverage in some northwest New Jersey counties that are part of the New York City DMA. WFMZ also serves as a local station in news and cable coverage to Carbon County and Monroe County within the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton DMA.
The schedule consists of some first run syndicated programs like Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Jury Duty, Family Feud, Merv Griffin's Crosswords, Temptation and classic TV shows such as Family Ties, America's Funniest Home Videos, Matlock, I Love Lucy, and paid programming airing during the overnight hours. The station also produces various programs about business, sports and health related issues.
News Operation
WFMZ-TV originally had two daily newscasts called "News Pulse" that ran when the station launched in 1976. These would be renamed "Channel 69 News" until finally settling on "69 News". Those two newscasts have expanded to over fifty a week including the Philadelphia area's only local Spanish newscast (which launched in 2002). In 2005, WFMZ formed a partnership with Philadelphia station WPVI which allows the stations to cooperate in news gathering purposes. The current set for 69 News debuted in April of 2006. High-definition news broadcasts began on May 1, 2008.
News Team
Anchors
- Perla López Baray- Edición en Español
- Jaciel Cordoba- Sunrise and Noon
- Wendy Davis- Sunrise 6-8:30am, weeknights 5-6:30pm
- Rob Vaughn- weeknights 5-6:30pm, 10-11pm
Anchors/Reporters
- John Derr- weekend evenings, health beat reporter
- Karin Mallett- weekend evenings, weekday Berks Edition reporter
- Nancy Werteen- Thursday Noon, Connect with Kids reporter
Weather Anchors
- Matt Broderick- Sunrise and Thursday-Friday Noon meteorologist
- Kathy Craine- weeknights 6pm
- Rachel Frank- Monday-Wednesday Noon and fill-in meteorologist
- Ed Hanna- chief meteorologist, weeknights 5-6pm, 10-11pm
- Mark Shanaberger- weekend evening meteorologist
- Zenddy Caicedo Tintle- Edición en Español
Sports Anchors
- Troy Hein- sports director, weeknights 5pm, 6pm, 10-11pm
- Dave Lesko- sports reporter, chief sports photographer
- Tim McMaster- weeknights 5:30pm
- Jim Vaughn- weekend sports anchor, sports reporter
Reporters
- Melissa Batulis- Berks Edition reporter
- Linda Candelo- Edición en Español reporter
- Rick Edwards- traffic reporter
- Stephanie Esposito- Wednesday-Sunday reporter
- Jaccii Farris- evening reporter
- JC Kelleher- fill-in traffic reporter/producer
- Bo Koltnow- evening reporter
- Joscelyn Moes- evening reporter
- Dwayne Parker- Edición en Español reporter
- Joel D. Smith- Berks Edition reporter
- Eve Tannery- Sunrise reporter/fill-in anchor
AccuWeather Channel
The AccuWeather Channel debuted on February 4, 2001. It is broadcasted on WFMZ DT2 and digital cable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and, according to WFMZ, was the first 24 hour local weather channel in the United States[1], although Cablevision first launched News 12 Weather almost a decade prior, back in the early 90s. Local weather updates are given every 15 minutes from one of WFMZ's meteorologists, plus national updates provided by AccuWeather. A link on the station's website offers live streaming video of this channel.
Weekdays
- Morning Outlook (5am-Noon): Rachel Frank (Mon-Wed) or Matt Broderick (Thur-Fri)
- Afternoon Outlook (Noon-5pm): Rachel Frank (Mon-Wed) or Matt Broderick (Thur-Fri)
- Evening Outlook (5pm-11pm): Ed Hanna (Mon-Tue) or Mark Shanaberger (Wed-Fri)
- Overnight Outlook (11pm-5am): Ed Hanna (Mon-Tue) or Mark Shanaberger (Wed-Fri)
Weekends
- Morning Outlook (5am-Noon): Rachel Frank
- Afternoon Outlook (Noon-5pm): Rachel Frank
- Evening Outlook (5pm-10:30pm): Mark Shanaberger
- Overnight Outlook (10:30pm-5am): Mark Shanaberger
Local Programming
The Big Ticket
The Big Ticket is a high school football highlight show that airs every Friday at 11pm during the high school football season. Highlights from local games in The Lehigh Valley & Berks County air along with interviews from players & coaches. It debuted in 1995 and is currently hosted by Troy Hein & Tim McMaster, with reports from Dave Lesko & Jim Vaughn. [2]
Business Matters
Business Matters is a program hosted by Tony Iannelli, where a panel of experts gather to discuss various business issues. It airs Mondays at 7:30 PM.
Election Central
Election Central is televised live every year during the May and November elections. Up to the minute results, live interviews and live reports are featured.
The Freddy Awards
The Freddy Awards which debuted in 2003 is fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards. A panel of evaluators view participating high schools musical performances. The best are honored in a ceremony that is broadcast live in HD on WFMZ every year. Ed Hanna and Shelley Brown host the ceremony from The State Theater in Easton[3].
Law Journal
Law Journal debuted in 1993 and is hosted by attorney Christopher Naughton, who is joined by various attorneys who answer questions about law related topics. Viewers can call in and receive free advice from any of the attorneys about the topic of the week. It airs live on Mondays at 8 PM.
Lehigh Sports Magazine
Lehigh Sports Magazine is hosted by Troy Hein and features interviews with Lehigh University coaches and players. It airs Mondays at 7:30 PM during Lehigh's fall sports season.
Sertoma Auction
The Sertoma Auction is televised live on WFMZ every year. Merchants donate items and bidders can call or log on to WFMZ.com to place their bids. The auction raises money for various organizations in the Lehigh Valley. Various WFMZ personalities volunteer their time to the auction.
Talk With Your Doctor
Talk With Your Doctor is hosted by Doug Eberhart, who is joined by various doctors from St. Luke's Hospital, and offers viewers the chance to call in and receive free medical advice. It airs Mondays at 6:30 PM.