CBS Sends KDKA’s Barry Pintar to Cover LA Wildfires, Delays ‘Hollywood Squares’ Premiere

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — KDKA-TV reporter Barry Pintar, a former Los Angeles resident, was dispatched to Southern California to assist in coverage of the devastating wildfires, according to a Jan. 9 report by KDKA-TV. Pintar, who arrived in Los Angeles earlier this month, has been filing reports for KDKA, other CBS stations, and the CBS News streaming service as local journalists work around the clock to cover the crisis.

“Los Angeles stations have been covering the fires 24/7, and at some point, even those local journalists need a chance to eat and sleep,” said Rob Owen, a TV writer. Pintar’s presence has provided much-needed relief for local reporters while ensuring continuous coverage of the wildfires, which have ravaged parts of Southern California.

In a related development, CBS postponed the premiere of its new “Hollywood Squares” reboot, originally scheduled for Jan. 9, due to the wildfires. The network opted to delay the celebrity-driven show out of respect for the ongoing crisis and because the program would not have aired in Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest TV market, due to continuous local news coverage. The show is now set to debut at 8 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Meanwhile, streaming service Max quietly removed “The West Wing” from its platform, sparking frustration among fans. The show, which had been available on Max, was reportedly licensed for a finite period, and its removal coincided with declining ratings. Deadline.com reported that the decision prompted an online uproar, though no plans for its return to streaming have been announced.

In other TV news, “The Pitt,” a new Pittsburgh-set medical drama, will be available exclusively on Max. Unlike traditional network shows, “The Pitt” is a streaming-only series, similar to other Max originals like “Hacks.” The show will not air on linear TV networks such as NBC, ABC, or CBS.

For more TV-related questions, readers can contact Rob Owen at 412-380-8559 or via email.