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JB and Sandy’s KEYE-TV simulcast to end
Radio duo JB and Sandy, whose Mix 94.7 program has been simulcast on local KEYE-TV are losing their TV gig. The CBS affiliate has announced that they will be replaced by “We Are Austin Mornings,” an extension of its 4-5 p.m. weekday lifestyle program, “We Are Austin Live.”
The new program will be similar to national morning news/chat programs, but with an Austin focus. Erika Gonzalez will host the show, which begins July 1 (Gonzalez came to Austin from the Rio Grande Valley in 2009 to appear on Telemundo’s news program “Conteo Noticias” with Fred Cantu). Meteorologist Kelly Slifka will provide weather and traffic updates and “We Are Austin Live” hosts Jason Wheeler and Bettie Cross will contribute content to “Austin Mornings.”
JB and Sandy got the KEYE job in October, 2009, when the station axed its morning news program and moved anchor Cantu to Spanish-language Telemundo and co-anchor Michelle Valles to the station’s new 4 p.m. lifestyle show. Both Cantu and Valles have since vacated those positions.
“We’ve learned how to do different things with ‘Austin Live’ and now we are bringing this energy and creativity to ‘Austin Mornings,’ ” KEYE News Director Suzanne Black said in a press release.
Station manager Amy Villarreal praised the departing duo. “The show did well, it was creative and the ratings grew. This is not a reflection of the great work JB, Sandy, Sara, Alex and Cassiday do every day.”
The pair’s simulcasts will continue until June 30, KEYE spokesperson Jerry Wagley said.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV
Comments
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By mikki
June 7, 2011 7:49 PM | Link to this
*I enjoyed the JB & Sandy tv program in the early morning. I will miss it but I will not be watching the new program. It can be viewed in the afternoon but was not to my liking. So for now my viewership is going to be directed toward my dvr and catching up on Conan and dumb stuff like South Park which I record at night in order to watch during the day.
This is not intended as disrespectful criticism but Kelly S. always made me uncomfortable due to his deep intakes of breath which the mic exaggerates.
By Stuart Parkinson
June 1, 2011 9:15 PM | Link to this
I'm going to miss the simulcast. It is good to see what the guys do as well as just hear them. I will not watch the new show in solidarity.
By sring
May 2, 2011 9:48 PM | Link to this
I am glad to hear that JB and Sandy are "history". The few times I watched their program it was like listening to a bunch of personal opinions often with a negative view of women.
I hope the new show will have some new talent that is reflective of the quality of news professionals Austin deserves. Unfortunately, the local morning news programs are "stuck" with anchors that have limited abilities, are unable to hide their dislike for their co-anchors and appear unkempt on-the-air.
Come on morning news producers - watch your own shows and make your staff shape up or ship out. It's no wonder you have trouble attracting advertisers - they see your poor quality programs too.