WCBS names 9 a.m. anchor ahead of launch of split hour of local news, ‘Drew Barrymore Show’

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WCBS has named an anchor for the new, 9 a.m. newscast it will launch Sept. 12, 2022, as part of a broader effort that will extend into streaming and syndicated talker “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

Cindy Hsu, who has been with WCBS for 30 years, will anchor the new newscast from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on the station and on streaming. She will continue with another 30 minutes that will be seen only on the station’s streamer, CBS News New York.

This format is part of a previously-announced change that saw “Drew” getting renewed but with a change to its format. CBS Media Ventures distributes “Drew” in syndication and the network’s owned stations carry it in major markets.

“Drew” will be designed so that it can be split into two, distinct 30-minute blocks or aired back-to-back.

In CBS-owned markets, the station will carry it from 9:30 to 10 a.m. In some cases, the remaining 30 minutes or a repeat of the full 60 will be carried on another station in the market, often one owned by CBS as well.

Plans call for the new 9 a.m. newscast to distinguish itself by “going beyond the headlines of the day and putting a spotlight on organizations and people who are effecting positive change in our communities,” according to a statement.

“We will also address topics that are near and dear to Cindy, including mental health awareness, education, childcare, adoption and seniors,” the announcement also notes.

Cindy has served as president of the New York chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, and paddled for years on a championship Dragon Boating team called Women in Canoe. Most recently she was anchoring weekends and reporting during the week for WCBS.

Cindy’s parents immigrated from China. Her father was a Coast Guard pilot, so her family moved every two to four years. Cindy was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and graduated from Virginia Tech. She lives in New York City with her daughter, Rosie, and their rescue dog, Lilo.