News Television
News Media Reacts to the Death of News4’s Wendy Rieger
Rieger died on Saturday after a battle with Glioblastoma.

Published
1 month agoon
By
Eduardo Razo
The Washington D.C. news media scene is in mourning following the death of long-time News4 anchor and reporter Wendy Rieger, who died on Saturday after a battle with Glioblastoma.
Rieger was a staple in the nation’s capital, working at the television station for 35 years. Following the death of the 65-year-old, NBC Washington released a statement explaining the type of colleague she was to everyone in the newsroom.
“For almost 35 years, Wendy had a way of lighting up the screen. You’d never quite know what you were going to get. Except….yea, you’d know exactly what you’d get. For all these years, Wendy was Wendy: Smart, funny, compassionate, and authentically herself,” the statement said.
“She shared a lot of her life with us over the years, talking about her homes, her cats, her boat, her love of wine, and her love of the area from the waters of Maryland to the mountains of Virginia. And, of course, the culture of Washington.”
Many in the news media scene, especially in D.C. at the local and national level, took to Twitter to share their thoughts after it was announced that Reiger had died.
“As you know, I have lived my life big & loud. It is my nature. And I’ve had a blast. But a stillness has come over me that is profound & potent. I didn’t know I could be this quiet. Life is not always a test. It is a teaching. I must learn this lesson with grace. And I will." pic.twitter.com/HsjjTLFbkl
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) April 16, 2022
I had gotten dinner with Wendy shortly before she was diagnosed with cancer 💔 It’s still so hard to believe that we’ll never again be able to share a bottle of wine at dinner together and close down the restaurant. Miss you so much already, sweet friend. Cancer truly sucks pic.twitter.com/COxtUOkdQc
— Aimee Cho (@AimeeCho4) April 16, 2022
All of us at @nbcwashington are heartbroken. https://t.co/7fO4gQBBBd
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) April 16, 2022
Wendy Rieger was humble & nice to everyone. She welcomed me to NBC Washington 11 yrs ago after my 1st live shot on Hurricane Irene. 2 days later, in an interview with Tony Kornheiser, rather than talk about herself, she started talking about me, “the new guy” RIP Wendy. Thank you pic.twitter.com/Tafhq1nwb5
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 16, 2022
She’s left us….but she’ll never really leave any of us. Rest well friend. https://t.co/q8957EieuA
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) April 16, 2022
As I will always remember NBC4’s Wendy Rieger. My condolences to her husband Dan, her family, close friends, her NBC4 family, and her vast audience that loved and laughed with her throughout her remarkable career. @politicshour @wcp @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/sMrwLFa6Eb
— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) April 16, 2022
RIP to Wendy Rieger. She lived out loud. And I loved every minute of it.
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) April 16, 2022
Sending love and prayers to Wendy Rieger’s family, friends and @nbcwashington colleagues. This is heartbreaking news! Gone far too soon. 💔 https://t.co/6w6dKxytOT
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) April 16, 2022
Always kind. Always fun. Always in our corner. 🏳️🌈
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) April 16, 2022
RIP, Wendy Rieger. 💔🙏🏾https://t.co/xAtISpgK43
What a life she lived. So many of us are blessed to have had even a moment in her orbit. I’m sad, and grateful. https://t.co/aDn4uulf6B
— Aaron Gilchrist (@nbcaaron) April 16, 2022
Wendy Rieger was synonymous with joy. It was impossible to be around her and not smile. She was a larger-than-life D.C. legend who meant so much to so many. Deepest condolences to her husband, Dan, and her entire family. https://t.co/4VH41dzLd1
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) April 16, 2022
Wendy Rieger was a beautiful human. Just read this on how she surprised our neighbor. 💜 https://t.co/wxU7udfX52
— Hillary Howard (@hhowardWTOP) April 16, 2022
I don't know anyone who ever had anything but a lovely experience whenever they were with Wendy Rieger. The longtime Channel 4 fixture in DC died today of Glioblastoma. She was 65. A terrible loss. pic.twitter.com/jPtJMnQ7WW
— Ken Rudin (@kenrudin) April 16, 2022
Another DC journalism legend gone too soon. 💔 RIP #WendyRieger https://t.co/lnylsVPUk7
— Nikole Killion (@NikolenDC) April 16, 2022
💔 This is heartbreaking. Like many in the DMV, I grew up watching Wendy Rieger.
— Brie Jackson (@PositivelyBrie) April 16, 2022
Rest In Peace sweet woman https://t.co/GV8yA8P5nU
A funny, warm, joy of a person who got her start at @WAMU. Had a lot of challenges in recent years, that she handled with grace, pluck, and wisdom. We'll miss her. RIP and thanks, Wendy.https://t.co/D7AQ7gj32z
— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) April 16, 2022
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.

News Television
Sinclair CEO Says Political Environment Is “Very Good for Our Business”
Sinclair’s CEO, Chris Ripley, offered his perspective on political ads at the MoffettNathanson 9th Annual Media and Communications Summit.

Published
12 hours agoon
May 19, 2022By
Eduardo Razo
The midterm elections are here, and according to one television executive, it’s the best time considering the amount of political advertisement money pouring into stations at the local and national.
One key beneficiary of that cash inflow is Sinclair Broadcast Group, the No. 2 owner of local TV stations in the U.S. The company’s CEO, Chris Ripley, offered his perspective on political ads at the MoffettNathanson 9th Annual Media and Communications Summit.
“Some of these primary races are crazy,” Ripley said, per Deadline. “On the one hand, I lament that we’re in the political environment that we are. On the other hand, it’s very good for our business.”
Ripley used an example to make a point with his claim, citing U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance who won his primary race after spending a heavy amount ont television ads.
Furthermore, the television executive adds that the $75 million spent on TV ads for the primary was 40 times more than what was spent on the primary in the last election. Ripley also added that spending on ballots is also up and should continue to increase as issues like abortion and legal gambling arise.
“More and more issues are going on direct ballots,” he said. “With what’s going on with abortion rights, that’s going to just even add to that category.” Legalizing sports betting or cannabis are other issues generating significant ad spending.
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
News Television
NBC News Correspondent Pete Williams to Retire
Williams will remain with NBC News through July before calling it a career.

Published
15 hours agoon
May 19, 2022By
Eduardo Razo
NBC News has announced Justice Department and Supreme Court correspondent Pete Williams will be retiring from the company. The reporter has been with the network for nearly three decades and has been at the forefront of many breaking news stories in Washington, DC.
“Pete has been one of the nation’s foremost authorities covering the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice for nearly three decades,” NBC News President Noah Oppenheim said in a memo to staff.
“His career has been defined by his reputation for accuracy, reliability, and unmatched expertise in the subjects he covers.”
Williams has covered various topics for NBC News, including the court cases dealing with the Affordable Care Act and marriage equality. Earlier this year, the correspondent was the one who reported the news that Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer would retire at the end of the current term.
“In short, for generations of NBC News reporters, working alongside Pete has been a daily masterclass in journalism. But perhaps more importantly, it has been a masterclass in what it means to be a good colleague,” Oppenheim added.
“Pete’s decency, kindness, and generosity are unmatched. For those that know Pete well, it’s his warmth, humor, wit, and compassion that will be missed most.”
Williams will remain with NBC News through July before calling it a career.
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
News Television
Chris Licht: CNN Must Be Beacon of Journalism to Functional Democracy
“Now, the next chapter of CNN is one where we aspire to be a beacon for the kind of journalism essential to a functioning democracy,” Licht said

Published
21 hours agoon
May 19, 2022By
Eduardo Razo
CNN’s new president Chris Licht shed some light on the direction he plans to take the company at the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront.
Licht spoke at the presentation alongside Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who expressed that CNN will be organized “to advocate for journalism first” and deliver for viewers “seeking more accurate information and less yelling and conflict.”
Furthermore, Licht proposed similar aspirations as he summarized his plan for the cable news channel to double down on what many might call sane news.
“Now, the next chapter of CNN is one where we aspire to be a beacon for the kind of journalism essential to a functioning democracy,” Licht said, per Mediaite.
“In a time where extremes are dominating cable news, we will seek to go a different way — reflecting the real lives of our viewers and elevating the way America and the world views this medium.”
The new CNN president also vows to “challenge the traditional philosophy of cable news, delivering programming and commentary that questions the status quo, shatters group-think, holds our leaders on both sides of the aisle accountable to facts, and fights fearlessly to get to the truth.”
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.