Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.
Q: There is a UPMC commercial that’s been airing during the Olympics with narration by someone that sounds like Sterling K. Brown. That seems … unlikely given Brown’s current success, but I was wondering whether you had any insight.
– Nicole via Twitter
Rob: Per UPMC, that is indeed Brown, one of the stars of the partially Pittsburgh-set NBC drama “This Is Us,” now in its final season.
The days of TV and/or movie stars forgoing TV commercials are largely in the past. Just look at all the big-name celebs who turned up in Super Bowl ads last month.
Brown is a good get for UPMC given the Pittsburgh ties with “This Is Us” and voicing an ad doesn’t take much time compared to appearing in one, so it’s an easy extra paycheck for Brown, too.
Q: When does WQED-TV expect to restore its ability to transmit local programming?
– Dan, Penn Hills
Rob: It’s still a work-in-progress.
“Our new master control will be operational in March but we do not have an exact date yet,” said WQED spokesman George Hazimanolis. “Due to supply chain issues, our vendor had some difficulty in obtaining parts, as well as experiencing staffing issues with trainers that are needed to orient the staff with the new automation system. We will let our patient viewers know the date through our website at wqed.org, WQED-FM and all our social media channels.”
WQED lost the ability to program locally when a piece of equipment broke in February, a month before the station’s master control was slated to be replaced.
Q: For some time now KDKA has been showing an out-of-focus, pixelated background during the weather reports. Whoever thinks that this is creative or innovative is sadly mistaken. It just looks like they have inferior camera equipment. How much longer must we endure this poor design? I find it disturbing.
– Tim, Franklin Park
Rob: This came up in March 2021, and my guess is the same answer holds true now: Most of these stationary cameras — on Mt. Washington, at Heinz Field — are run through the internet and, according to a station representative, sometimes slow internet speeds result in picture degradation. Since these cameras are not operated by a person, it’s also conceivable the lens gets dirty and may be in a location that is difficult to get to for cleaning.
