By Jeaneane Payne

Beginning Monday, September 12th, the Andy Griffith Show will air on WVLT TV at 7:30 p.m. instead of its regular time at 4:30 p.m. This ever popular show will follow Entertainment Tonight which airs at 7pm. Which is more popular -- Andy Griffith or Entertainment Tonight? You tell us.

This dramatic change was brought on after WVLT's decision to expand its 4pm local news broadcast to a full hour. WVLT's EVP/General Manager Christopher Baker says the move reflects the station's commitment to viewers to want more local news in a convenient and popular time period.

"We felt when we first launched our 4pm newscast; there would be great support from our community. We've developed quite a following for those 30 minutes and recognize a real opportunity to serve our viewers better with the addition of more local content. That's why we believe this is the right time for VLT Local 8 News to produce a full hour starting at 4pm."

The newscast will be anchored by members of the existing news team.

"Local 8 News, First at 4" will focus on the top stories that affect East Tennessee; breaking news, local weather, exclusive airborne traffic and social media segments", says Vice President of News, Lena Sadiwskyj. "As the sports leader, we'll have any new developments on the Vols and local high school teams."

It's too bad "Barney One Bullet" isn't around to iron out this bump or, as Gomer Pyle would say, "Shazm!"