Waking up in New York is loud. Honestly, between the sirens and the radiator clanking, you’ve probably already reached for your phone before your eyes are even fully open. If you’re like a massive chunk of the tri-state area, the first thing you’re looking for is Fox 5 News NY. It’s not just a TV station. It’s a vibe. It’s Good Day New York. It’s Rosanna Scotto calling it like it is at 7:00 AM while you’re trying to figure out if the L train is actually running or if you’re about to be an hour late for work.
Local news is weird right now. Everyone says it’s dying because of TikTok or X, but that’s not really the whole story. When a pipe bursts in Midtown or there’s a brush fire in Prospect Park, nobody’s looking at a national aggregator. They want WNYW. They want the station that’s been sitting on Channel 5 since 1944. That kind of history matters. It’s baked into the concrete here.
What People Get Wrong About Fox 5 News NY
People tend to confuse the local affiliate with the national Fox News Channel. They aren't the same. Not even close. WNYW is a Fox Television Station, but its DNA is pure New York City grit. While the national cable side is doing political punditry, the local team is busy tracking a nor'easter or investigating why a landlord in the Bronx hasn't turned the heat on for three weeks.
The distinction is huge.
If you watch Fox 5 News NY, you’re getting news that affects your actual commute. You’re getting Steve Lacy and Christina Park. You’re getting the 10 O’Clock News, which, let’s be real, is basically an institution. It started way back in 1967 as the first primetime local newscast in the country. Before that, if you wanted news, you had to wait until 11:00 PM. But New Yorkers don't like waiting. We’re impatient. WNYW leaned into that early.
The Good Day New York Factor
You can't talk about this station without mentioning Good Day New York. It launched in 1988. Since then, it’s become this chaotic, beautiful, fast-paced mirror of the city itself. Rosanna Scotto is the undisputed queen of this format. She’s been there since the 80s, and her chemistry with her co-hosts—whether it was Greg Kelly or now Curt Menefee—is what keeps people tuned in.
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It feels like a diner conversation.
One minute they’re interviewing the Mayor about the latest budget cuts, and the next, they’re trying a new cheesecake from a bakery in Queens. It isn't stiff. It’s not "corporate." It’s sort of messy in the best way possible. That’s why it works. In a city where everyone is rushing, Good Day feels like the one place where you can catch your breath and actually hear what’s happening in your neighborhood.
Why the 10 O’Clock News Still Dominates
Most people are exhausted by 10:00 PM. By the time 11:00 PM rolls around, half the city is asleep or trying to be. WNYW’s decision to keep their flagship news at 10:00 PM remains one of the smartest branding moves in television history. It owns that time slot.
When you flip on the Fox 5 News NY broadcast at ten, you expect a specific rhythm.
- Lead with the "Big Story"—usually crime, transit, or weather.
- The "5 Zone" weather updates from Nick Gregory.
- Sports highlights that actually focus on the Knicks, Rangers, and Giants, not just national highlights.
- A quick-hit style that gets you the info before you pass out.
Nick Gregory has been the chief meteorologist for over 30 years. Think about that. In a world where everything changes in five minutes, having the same guy tell you it’s going to snow for three decades creates a massive amount of trust. He’s seen every blizzard since the 80s. When he says get your shovel, you get your shovel.
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Beyond the TV Screen: The Digital Pivot
WNYW isn't just a channel on a dial anymore. If you go to Fox5NY.com, you see a completely different beast. They’ve had to adapt. The website and the app are basically 24/7 feeds now. They’ve leaned heavily into "The 5 Zone" for hyper-local weather tracking, which is honestly the only way to survive a New York summer when one block is sunny and the next is under three feet of water from a flash flood.
They’ve also realized that YouTube and social media are where the younger crowd lives. You’ll see clips from "Liza’s Log" or "The Place to Be" segments circulating on Instagram because they highlight the stuff that makes NYC cool—the food, the hidden bars, the culture. It’s smart. They’re taking traditional broadcast quality and cutting it up for people who haven't owned a physical TV in a decade.
Is the Coverage Biased?
This is the question everyone asks. Because of the "Fox" name, there’s an assumption. But local news operates on a different set of rules. WNYW covers the city hall beats, the NYPD, and the teacher strikes with a focus on "how does this affect your wallet?" It’s more pragmatic than ideological. If the subways are delayed, it doesn't matter who you voted for; you’re still stuck on the platform. WNYW focuses on that shared frustration.
Real-World Impact: The "Street Soldiers" Legacy
Lori Stokes and then later Lisa Evers with "Street Soldiers" brought a level of community engagement that most stations just don't touch. Evers, in particular, has deep ties to the hip-hop community and urban culture in New York. "Street Soldiers" tackles things like gang violence, housing projects, and criminal justice reform from the inside. It’s not just a reporter standing in front of a crime scene for thirty seconds. It’s a deep-seated conversation.
This is where Fox 5 News NY earns its keep.
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They go into neighborhoods that other stations sometimes treat like b-roll footage. They talk to the activists, the parents, and the kids on the street. It’s gritty. It’s real. And frankly, it’s necessary for a city as complex as New York.
Staying Connected in a Faster City
If you're trying to keep up with the city, you need more than just one source. But WNYW acts as a solid anchor. To get the most out of their coverage without sitting in front of a screen for four hours, you have to be strategic.
- Download the Fox 5 NY Weather App. Seriously. The radar is more accurate for the tri-state area than the generic apps that come pre-installed on your phone.
- Follow their "Liza’s Log" segments. If you want to know which new restaurant is actually worth the 45-minute subway ride, Liza Persky usually has the lead.
- Watch the 10:00 PM broadcast for the "The Big 5." It’s the fastest way to download the day’s events so you can actually hold a conversation at the office the next morning.
- Use the "Loud and Clear" feature. If you have a problem in your neighborhood—like a massive pothole or a scammer—their investigative team actually listens to tips.
New York is a lot to handle. It's loud, it's expensive, and it's constantly changing. Having a constant like Fox 5 News NY makes it feel a little bit smaller and a little more manageable. Whether you're watching Rosanna's morning antics or catching Nick Gregory’s seven-day forecast, you’re engaging with a piece of the city’s history. It’s local news for people who actually live here, not just people who visit.
Keep your eyes on the "Commuter Alert" segments if you're taking the bridges or tunnels tomorrow morning. Between the construction on the BQE and the perennial delays at the Lincoln Tunnel, you're going to need that head start. Check the live stream on the Fox 5 app around 6:30 AM to see the actual traffic cams before you leave the house. It'll save you at least twenty minutes of sitting in gridlock staring at a bumper sticker.