Air Waves
by Laura Nachman
The Metro

June 2, 2005

After several delays, the new UPN 57 morning news quietly debuted on Tuesday morning.  Called “The Wakeup News,” the traffic and weather intensive show will air weekdays from 5-9 a.m. from the Traffic Pulse studios in Chesterbrook, PA.  Traffic Pulse also provides traffic services for WCAU-10 and KYW-3, UPN-57’s sister-station.

The broadcast features Karen Adams, formerly of KYW 1060-AM on news, Melissa Sander formerly of WTXF-29 on weather, and Sean Murphy, formerly of Comcast SportsNet on traffic. 

There are no reporters, as Adams provides voice-overs for the video. The former radio reporter seemed to have no problem transitioning to television.

“The Wakeup News” replaces “KYW Newsradio on TV.” It will compete with WPVI-6, WCAU-10, KYW-3, and WTXF-29.  WPHL and CN8 don’t have morning news.

WTXF-29 will debut its new street-side set for “Good Day Philadelphia” Monday.  The local show stars George Mallet, Kerri Lee Halkett, Jennaphr Frederick, Dorothy Krysiuk, and Sue Serio.  Steady Serio has been with the show the longest – since 1997.  Station sources say WTXF-29’s “Ten O’clock News” will also get a new set later this summer.

There are also rumblings that WTXF-29 may start an early evening news program.  However, with the ratings success of shows such as “Judge Judy,” “Seinfeld,” and “The Simpsons,” it will take a big commitment from Fox to take the plunge. 

Last week’s steroids symposium with guest speaker Jose Canseco at the Franklin Institute airs tonight on CSN at 9 p.m.  Next up for Canseco is a role in the new season of “Surreal Life” on VH1 in July.  The congressional panel he faced a couple of months ago should be a piece of cake compared to his “Surreal” housemates Omarosa Manigault-Stalworth and Janice Dickinsen.