WNBC is changing the name of its 5pm show from “LX New York” to “New York Live,” effective today.
LX New York debuted two years ago produced not by WNBC’s news department, but by the LX.TV group, which had been acquired by NBCUniversal in early 2008.
Jane Hanson and Sara Gore continue to host the lifestyle and entertainment program.
For decades, from 1980-2007, the 5pm timeslot on WNBC was home to “Live at Five,” an interview and lifestyle show which led off with news headlines. “Live at Five” had been been hosted by Matt Lauer and Jack Cafferty, and for its entirety by Sue Simmons and once included voice-overs from SNL announcer Don Pardo. But over the years, the show morphed into a traditional newscast, was canceled in 2007 and replaced by EXTRA at 5pm and later News 4 New York until LX New York came along in 2009.
“Our new name, New York Live, reflects what the show has become — all about the very best of New York everyday,” says Morgan Hertzan, General Manager, LX.TV.
The name change comes on the same day New York’s news leader WABC launches its 4pm newscast replacing “The Oprah Winfrey Show”