In Western New York, competition between the “Big Four” TV stations for its respective local newscasts is fierce. In 2017, Scott Levin returned to TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate WGRZ-2 after three years in the automotive industry, putting renewed competition on Nexstar Media Group-owned CBS affiliate WIVB-4 and longtime anchors Don Postles and Jacquie Walker. In 2021, Sinclair Broadcast Group entered the fray by debuting “FOX 29 News at Ten” at its WUTV.
For The E.W. Scripps Co.‘s ABC affiliate, WKBW-7, its traditional third place showing was buffeted at points by anchor Ashley Rowe, who arrived from Ontario with much promise, even scoring exclusive interview opportunities with such prominent locals as the Pegulas, owners of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.
Now, Scripps will be tasked with finding Rowe’s successor at WKBW.
