Statement: Telemundo Announced new Morning News Programs, ESPN’s Shams Charania Speaks On Work-Life Balance As A Reporter
Eva Pilgrim - Heidi Gutman/CBS Media Ventures
Broadcast: Telemundo has announced new morning news programs starting Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. Noticias Telemundo Ahora, a new one-hour early newscast, will air weekdays at 7:00 AM PST before Hoy Día. The show will be co-anchored by Damià Bonmatí and Claudia de la Fuente.
Telemundo’s new 24/7 Spanish-language sports channel, Telemundo Deportes Ahora, launched on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Focused on live soccer, the channel contributes to over 50 hours of new Spanish-language content each week, leading up to the FIFA World Cup.
“With Telemundo Deportes Ahora, we’re giving Hispanic audiences another way to connect with the sports they love, complementing our sports offering and enhancing their viewing experience on the road to World Cup and beyond”, said Joaquin Duro, Executive Vice President of Sports at Telemundo.
Inside Edition has hired Eva Pilgrim in an effort to cultivate a new audience. Executive producer Charles Lachlan expressed hopes that the former ABC News correspondent and “GMA3” co-anchor will help draw in younger viewers.
“She definitely connects with our current viewer, and I think her appeal is such that she will be enticing to a new generation of viewers,” says Charles Lachman, the series’ executive producer.
After three years, Janice Yu has left WABC, despite her future endeavors remaining unknown. In a social media post, Yu described her time at the ABC-owned station as fulfilling and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside well-renowned colleagues.
Seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady is set to join NBC Sports as a studio analyst this fall. As part of NBCUniversal’s expanded commitment to professional basketball coverage, McGrady will appear on NBC and Peacock beginning in October. His role will include in-studio work at least one night per week, where he’ll reunite with former teammates and Hall of Famers Vince Carter and Carmelo Anthony.
“Tracy has performed at the highest level both on and off the court and has already demonstrated his ability to deliver his unique perspective on air,” said NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood. “Whether paired with Carmelo, Vince, or both, we’re excited to see how this team of Hall of Famers comes together and breaks down the game.”
Cable: MSNBC has rebranded as MS Now following its split from NBC. CEO Mark Lazarus, who had previously stated the network would retain its name, later announced in a memo to staff that a full rebrand would be undertaken.
“The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family,” Lazarus stated. “This gives us the opportunity to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin.”
One American News Network has signed a long-term carriage deal with Youtube TV. As part of ongoing negotiations with Fox.
“With the addition of OAN and AWE, YouTube TV viewers will enjoy 16 hours of live, breaking news coverage each weekday on OAN, as well as AWE's signature mix of travel, adventure, lifestyle, and family entertainment programming,” Herring Networks, led by president Charles Herring and founder Robert Herring, stated in its Wednesday press release.
A $67 million settlement has been reached between Newsmax and Dominion Voting Systems. Filed in 2021, the suit aimed to hold Newsman accountable for airing false claims about the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. A judge ultimately ruled that the network had broadcast misinformation, resulting in an order for Newsman to pay the settlement in three installments over the next two years.
Dasha Burns has been confirmed as the host of C-Span’s upcoming show Ceasefire, set to premiere later this fall. The role adds to Burns’ impressive resume, which includes positions at NBC News, Politico, and hosting her own podcast, The Conversation. She recently expressed strong support for both C-Span and the new program.
“I am looking forward to hosting this unique program and pushing people out of their comfort zones to move beyond partisan acrimony,” Burns said. “There is nothing like it on TV today.”
WTVA has promoted Danielle Oropeza to assistant news director, where she will work alongside news director Pat Peterson. Working with the network for over eight years, Oropeza will be taking over for Craig Ford, who retired in April.
“There are HUGE shoes to fill, but I am really looking to forward to this opportunity,” Oropeza said. “This community has been nothing short of welcoming and supportive since I first started. I look forward to continuing to serve northeast Mississippi in this new role.”
WGN-AM has appointed Akemi Harrison as its new Director of News and Multi-Platform Content. Harrison stepped into the role on Aug. 25, 2025, bringing more than 20 years of newsroom experience with her.
“As media consumption continues to evolve into a multiplatform experience, we are thrilled to have Akemi Harrison join and lead our WGN content team,” said WGN vice president and general manager Ric Harris.
Streaming: Ndidi Oteh has been named the new CEO of Accenture Song. Her primary focus will be expanding the company’s AI-driven client engagements, which currently account for roughly a third of the business. Following the official departure of current CEO David Droga in September, Accenture Song also aims to build a more diverse team and maintain its lead over the Big Four advertising networks in terms of revenue.
Five-time NBA All-Star John Wall is joining the NBA broadcast world through Prime Video. After 13 seasons in the league, Wall has been confirmed as a new analyst for Prime’s inaugural NBA coverage. Wall expressed his excitement about the opportunity as the team gets ready for the launch on Oct. 24, 2025.
“After 13 seasons in the NBA filled with unforgettable moments, I am excited to start a new chapter with NBA on Prime,” Wall said. “This change is not just a career move; it’s a chance to stay close to the game I love and share the insights I’ve gained throughout my career playing point guard at the highest level.
Shams Charania, an ESPN senior NBA Insider, revealed information about his job on an episode of the sports talk show The Sports Reporters. Charania discussed how his social life has taken a hit since being a reporter, often finding himself struggling to balance his work and personal life.
“To me, if I’m doing this, [I] have to be all in,” said Charania, when asked how he balances his personal life with the demands of a 24/7 job. “Every single day is a continuation of the prior day.”
Longtime ESPN coordinating producer Nick Rud has been promoted to Vice President of Sports Production for Diamond and College Olympic Sports. In an effort to enhance storytelling around the below growing areas of coverage, Rud will be in charge of creative development and production strategy for youth-focused sports, including college baseball and softball, Little League, and College Olympic Sports.
“Nick is so deserving of this opportunity. He is a talented and experienced producer who has excelled at collaborating and innovating throughout his career,” said Meg Aronowitz, ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Production.
Don Lemon has announced the growing success of his YouTube channel, The Don Lemon Show, despite Elon Musk’s efforts to cancel their previously confirmed partnership. Lemon revealed that Musk had withdrawn from the deal, claiming the show felt like an extension of Lemon’s former role at CNN, something he did not support. Nonetheless, Lemon stated that the show has garnered over 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, with the number continuing to grow daily.
“I will say to you that if it stays on the trajectory that it is on now, I will surpass what I was making (at CNN),” Lemon said in an interview with Variety.
