WTAE-TV’s Sky 4 news helicopter is now the sole helicopter providing coverage in the Pittsburgh market, following the decision of KDKA-TV and WPXI-TV to discontinue their shared helicopter arrangement. The move marks the end of decades-long competition in the Pittsburgh TV station chopper wars, leaving WTAE as the only active news-gathering helicopter in the area.
The shift began two years ago when KDKA-TV and WPXI-TV opted to share a single helicopter, a departure from their previous practice of individual contracts for chopper services. Now, with both stations withdrawing from the chopper game, it is evident that budgetary considerations likely factored into the decision, although KDKA general manager Chris Cotugno and WPXI general manager Kevin Hayes did not provide comments on the matter.
Notably, the cost of operating a helicopter for news coverage is substantial, often amounting to tens of thousands of dollars per month for TV stations. This trend is not unique to Pittsburgh, as other markets have seen similar shifts, with some stations ceasing helicopter use due to financial constraints.
Despite the discontinuation of the shared helicopter, WTAE-TV has affirmed its commitment to maintaining its chopper, ensuring continued aerial news coverage for the market. Channel 4 general manager Charles Wolfertz III confirmed that WTAE’s Sky4 will be the only active news-gathering helicopter in the Pittsburgh area.
With KDKA and WPXI exiting the chopper game, it is anticipated that WTAE will leverage its new competitive advantage in its news coverage and promotional efforts.
In other television news, a recent vote by Television Academy of Arts Sciences members ranked an episode of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ as the 7th most impactful television moment in history. The episode, which featured Fred Rogers inviting Officer Clemmons to share a wading pool on a hot day, ranked behind iconic events such as the Apollo 11 moon landing, 9/11 terrorist attacks live news coverage, and The Beatles on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’.
Additionally, several television premieres are on the horizon, including the return of NBC’s ‘Quantum Leap’ with new episodes on January 30, the streaming of new episodes of ‘Judy Justice’ on Amazon Freevee and Prime Video from January 22 to April 5, and the premiere of season two of ‘Tokyo Vice’ on Max on February 8. Syfy’s ‘Resident Alien’ is set to return for its third season on February 14, while Apple TV+ will debut a new ‘Peanuts’ special, ‘Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin’, on February 16, along with season two of ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’ on March 29. Peacock is also expected to stream likely Oscar nomine
