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Police nabbed Mark Sabia at Shea Stadium - he faces charges relating to impersonating a reporter. (Courtesy www.thecreativeforum.com)

He was a fixture in the New York locker rooms, jockeying alongside TV sports reporters for a good sound bite from players and coaches. But Mark Sabia's "Sportszone," as his microphone was tagged, apparently does not air anywhere, and now he has been arrested for impersonating a reporter. He faces a laundry list of charges including falsifying business records and criminal impersonation, which could bring him up to four years in prison, if convicted, according to Newsday. Cops picked him up at Shea Stadium when he tried to pick up his passes for this season. It seems Sabia, from Ossining, N.Y., used the moniker of Westchester Cable Services when applying for press credentials for area teams. An internet search reveals that name only in an old version of the biography of A.J. Vittone, a cable sportscaster in Rhode Island who claims to also be a fill-in for WRGB-6 (CBS) in Schenectady. Sabia told the Journal News he is "just a little guy trying to make a living." Queens investigators reportedly found no connection between Sabia and some upstate stations that he claimed to be a stringer for.

The Federal Communications Commission wants Tribune to Tribune could have to sell WTIC-61 and WTXX-20 in two years since it also owns the Hartford Courant, which it acquired from Times Mirror in 2000. (Courtesy WTIC-TV/Tribune)

Tribune could have to sell WTIC-61 and WTXX-20 in two years since it also owns the Hartford Courant, which it acquired from Times Mirror in 2000. (Courtesy WTIC-TV/Tribune)

sell its Connecticut television properties, but is allowing it to keep them two more years to try to find a buyer. Commissioners felt Tribune should not be allowed to continue joint ownership of the Hartford Courant, WTIC-61 (Fox) and WTXX-20 (WB), but were reluctant to order immediate sale of the stations because it could hurt their future, according to news reports of the FCC ruling. Ch. 61 is one of four major news shops in the Hartford-New Haven market, airing a 10 p.m. newscast, the first half-hour of which is simulcast on Waterbury-licensed Ch. 20.

Jim Ryan may be leaving "Good Day New York" in May. (Courtesy WNYW)

Rumors swirling about "Good Day New York" veteran Jim Ryan exiting WNYW-5 could become reality by this summer, the Daily News reports. Ryan, who has helmed the morning program since it started in 1988 to compete with the network shows, is said to be planning to leave the broadcast in May. That would pave the way for Dallas import and early morning anchor Chris Gailus, who has been subbing on the evening broadcasts to return as main co-host of "Good Day" when Ernie Anastos arrives in July as main anchor.

Former network correspondent Deborah Potter, who now runs the non-profit NewsLab think tank, spoke about the current state of journalism at Deborah Potter of NewsLab says there is a "crisis" in journalism. (Courtesy NewsLab)

Deborah Potter of NewsLab says there is a "crisis" in journalism. (Courtesy NewsLab)

the University of Montana last night. According to the Montana Kaimin student newspaper, Potter noted the negative impact of new technology in journalism. "We've lost the time we used to have to think about things, and this worries me," she said. Potter said the increasing corporatization of the news media has created a "crisis" in journalism, reducing coverage of foreign issues and forcing reporters to "do more with less." She said newsrooms should stop hyping "breaking news" and solicit public involvement, citing a Spokane newspaper that plans to webcast its story meetings, to improve a business she sees as of crucial importance.

In today's 500-channel universe, it is becoming harder and harder to draw a crowd, but one station still has a lock on its marketplace. In tiny Parkersburg, W. Va., ranked market No. 187 with a TV population of 64,790 households, lone WTAP-15 rules the roost to the tune of a 66 share at 11 p.m. (Courtesy WTAP)

affiliate WTAP-15 (NBC) is king. Ch. 15's newscasts led the Nielsen ratings most-watched lists that give bragging rights to dominant small market stations, the station announced. In February, it had the most-watched noon news in the country with a 57 share, the number-one weekday 6 p.m. news with a 65 share, and the top weekday 11 p.m. news at a jaw-dropping 66 share. The station also tied with WVIR-29 in Charlottesville, Va., for highest total day audience share for an NBC affiliate, with the Nielsen survey showing 28 percent of viewers watching television at any time were tuned to Ch. 15. But even this station is looking to the future. "If you can't be near a TV set during those newscasts, you can read or watch excerpts of them right here on wtap.com!" said general manager Roger Sheppard in a release on the station's website.

Contract renegotiation or sometimes plastic surgery can be reasons for anchor absences, but WPVI-6 won't say where Monica Malpass is. (Courtesy WPVI)

WPVI-6 anchor Monica Malpass has been off the air for three weeks and station officials aren't talking. Malpass, who does the noon and 5 p.m. news, had been scheduled for at least some vacation time, the Inquirer reports.

BET and KREZ-6 have cancelled news. The cable network will turn to news briefs instead of "BET Nightly News," and the Durango, Colo., CBS station will air weathercasts only, not its brief inserts into the Albuquerque news from KRQE-13.

When arena football player Al Lucas died Sunday after a bad play, the sideline reporter for the game knew something was wrong but wanted to be careful how she reported it. Fox Sports Net West's Lindsay Soto said she was afraid the family was watching or someone could call them with information.

A doctor who was interviewed on CBS for allegedly selling steroids to football players has had his medical license suspended. James Shortt of West Columbia, S.C., who appeared on "60 Minutes Wednesday" said he did nothing wrong.

The second in command at NBC News is retiring in June. Thirty-year network vet Bill Wheatley, 60, who started as assignment editor before producing "Nightly News," stayed on through the Brokaw transition as vice president.

WJBK-2 and the Detroit Zoo got fooled by the web, the Oakland Daily Press reports. The Fox affiliate had a contest to name the zoo's new polar bear cub with an Inuit name. The winner, Tailni, is from a fake online list of Inuit words.

.: Home .: Extra .: Sound .: Markets	Welcome to East Coast TV News APRIL 15, 2005 (<\|>) — Except for sound, the links don't work yet, but check back soon! — Top News: "Sportszone" not real, Jim Ryan's future, journalism "crisis?"
.: Sitemap .: Links .: Archive	— Today's ECTVN Quotable: "I thought he was legit. He dressed nice. He was serious about what he was doing." -- newspaper reporter John Delco, surprised about imposter Mark Sabia
.: E-Mail	— Slugs: FAKE REPORTER - TRIBUNE RULING - JIM RYAN OUT? - POTTER SPEECH - WTAP RATINGS - BRIEFS
Mover David "Ping" Pingalore Fm: WNEP-16 Scranton SPORTSCASTER To: WOIO-19 Cleveland WKD. SPORTS Tipline Have a story idea for ECTVN? Drop us the dirt in an e-mail. Today's Link tvnewsthemes.net See new video clips and read about the "Year of News."	Sports reporter found out as a phony, arrested He was a fixture in the New York locker rooms, jockeying alongside TV sports reporters for a good sound bite from players and coaches. But Mark Sabia's "Sportszone," as his microphone was tagged, apparently does not air anywhere, and now he has been arrested for impersonating a reporter. He faces a laundry list of charges including falsifying business records and criminal impersonation, which could bring him up to four years in prison, if convicted, according to Newsday. Cops picked him up at Shea Stadium when he tried to pick up his passes for this season. It seems Sabia, from Ossining, N.Y., used the moniker of Westchester Cable Services when applying for press credentials for area teams. An internet search reveals that name only in an old version of the biography of A.J. Vittone, a cable sportscaster in Rhode Island who claims to also be a fill-in for WRGB-6 (CBS) in Schenectady. Sabia told the Journal News he is "just a little guy trying to make a living." Queens investigators reportedly found no connection between Sabia and some upstate stations that he claimed to be a stringer for. BACK TO TOP Ruling jeopardizes Tribune ownership of WTIC-TV The Federal Communications Commission wants Tribune to sell its Connecticut television properties, but is allowing it to keep them two more years to try to find a buyer. Commissioners felt Tribune should not be allowed to continue joint ownership of the Hartford Courant, WTIC-61 (Fox) and WTXX-20 (WB), but were reluctant to order immediate sale of the stations because it could hurt their future, according to news reports of the FCC ruling. Ch. 61 is one of four major news shops in the Hartford-New Haven market, airing a 10 p.m. newscast, the first half-hour of which is simulcast on Waterbury-licensed Ch. 20. BACK TO TOP NYC morning news fixture could call it quits Rumors swirling about "Good Day New York" veteran Jim Ryan exiting WNYW-5 could become reality by this summer, the Daily News reports. Ryan, who has helmed the morning program since it started in 1988 to compete with the network shows, is said to be planning to leave the broadcast in May. That would pave the way for Dallas import and early morning anchor Chris Gailus, who has been subbing on the evening broadcasts to return as main co-host of "Good Day" when Ernie Anastos arrives in July as main anchor. BACK TO TOP NewsLab president speaks at Montana college Former network correspondent Deborah Potter, who now runs the non-profit NewsLab think tank, spoke about the current state of journalism at the University of Montana last night. According to the Montana Kaimin student newspaper, Potter noted the negative impact of new technology in journalism. "We've lost the time we used to have to think about things, and this worries me," she said. Potter said the increasing corporatization of the news media has created a "crisis" in journalism, reducing coverage of foreign issues and forcing reporters to "do more with less." She said newsrooms should stop hyping "breaking news" and solicit public involvement, citing a Spokane newspaper that plans to webcast its story meetings, to improve a business she sees as of crucial importance. BACK TO TOP With whopping 60+ shares, WTAP leads brag list In today's 500-channel universe, it is becoming harder and harder to draw a crowd, but one station still has a lock on its marketplace. In tiny Parkersburg, W. Va., ranked market No. 187 with a TV population of 64,790 households, lone affiliate WTAP-15 (NBC) is king. Ch. 15's newscasts led the Nielsen ratings most-watched lists that give bragging rights to dominant small market stations, the station announced. In February, it had the most-watched noon news in the country with a 57 share, the number-one weekday 6 p.m. news with a 65 share, and the top weekday 11 p.m. news at a jaw-dropping 66 share. The station also tied with WVIR-29 in Charlottesville, Va., for highest total day audience share for an NBC affiliate, with the Nielsen survey showing 28 percent of viewers watching television at any time were tuned to Ch. 15. But even this station is looking to the future. "If you can't be near a TV set during those newscasts, you can read or watch excerpts of them right here on wtap.com!" said general manager Roger Sheppard in a release on the station's website. BACK TO TOP News Flashes: Malpass missing, NBC veep retiring WPVI-6 anchor Monica Malpass has been off the air for three weeks and station officials aren't talking. Malpass, who does the noon and 5 p.m. news, had been scheduled for at least some vacation time, the Inquirer reports. BET and KREZ-6 have cancelled news. The cable network will turn to news briefs instead of "BET Nightly News," and the Durango, Colo., CBS station will air weathercasts only, not its brief inserts into the Albuquerque news from KRQE-13. When arena football player Al Lucas died Sunday after a bad play, the sideline reporter for the game knew something was wrong but wanted to be careful how she reported it. Fox Sports Net West's Lindsay Soto said she was afraid the family was watching or someone could call them with information. A doctor who was interviewed on CBS for allegedly selling steroids to football players has had his medical license suspended. James Shortt of West Columbia, S.C., who appeared on "60 Minutes Wednesday" said he did nothing wrong. The second in command at NBC News is retiring in June. Thirty-year network vet Bill Wheatley, 60, who started as assignment editor before producing "Nightly News," stayed on through the Brokaw transition as vice president. WJBK-2 and the Detroit Zoo got fooled by the web, the Oakland Daily Press reports. The Fox affiliate had a contest to name the zoo's new polar bear cub with an Inuit name. The winner, Tailni, is from a fake online list of Inuit words. BACK TO TOP