By JERRY BARMASH
(@jerrybarmash)
WPIX is trying to reinvent itself with a harder slant on news coverage, amid the station’s tanking ratings.
But news director Mark Effron‘s regime at Channel 11 stumbled badly on yesterday’s 5 p.m. newscast anchored by Tamsen Fadal.
In breaking news, two window washers dangled from scaffolding high above Hearst Tower on West 57th Street.
As the story developed, WPIX spoke on the phone to Stefan Bright of the Window Cleaning Association. However, the station awkwardly chose to abbreviate “Association” with “Ass.” in the graphic, even though there was clearly plenty of room on the screen.
Instead, the station that desperately wants to be recognized on the same level as the New York City heavyweights had “Window Cleaning Ass.” greeting viewers under Bright’s name.
A moment like this can only further discolor the black eye of WPIX, which is seemingly in a battle with itself.