Scripps Renews Photowalks for Season 3

Third season begins Sunday with the "Best of Route 66"

As someone who was on the TV beat at the beginning of my journalism career, I can’t tell you how many press releases used to cross my desk announcing TV series renewals.

They were a milestone, a vote of confidence from the network, a recognition that people watching enjoyed the show, thus, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, et. all wanted more episodes to feed the hungry public.

As that same person who doesn’t believe in letting any promo opportunity go by, it is my thrill to share with readers of this newsletter the latest.

My little travel show, the one I produce on an iPhone…it just got picked up this week by Scripps News for a third season of shows, starting with Sunday’s episode, taking us through the end of the year.

Photowalks airs Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. ET with a new episode, with a replay at 10 p.m. ET. And it’s also available, as always, on demand on YouTube.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with Jefferson Graham to bring his captivating series 'Photowalks' to our audience," said Matt Simon, vice-president of Scripps News, in announcing the renewal. "His unique blend of gorgeous photography, fun storytelling and zest for adventure elevate and expand our offerings.”

Thanks Matt!

Coming up, we’ve got some big things planned, including trips to Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, a camping journey with KOA to Glacier National Park, a visit to Jasper, Alberta and Missoula, Montana, San Diego and Barcelona and in the fall, we’re up and down the Eastern Seaboard. There may be another visit to Japan and San Francisco in there as well and we’ve got the Photowalks Awards coming up in August!

This week’s episode is a “Best of Route 66,” which looks to answer the big questions from viewers—name the one best part of the 2,448 mile trip, tell me how long I should go for and in which direction too? We’re chock full of tips in this one.

If you’re not up on Scripps, it’s the most widely distributed free streaming news channel, available on every major streaming platform, including Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV, as well as on dedicated channels on Samsung, LG, TCL and Vizio TVs, and within hugely popular apps like Pluto, Tubi, Sling and Fubo.

Streaming now accounts for about 45% of all TV viewing, and the free ad-supported channels, like Scripps, Pluto and Tubi boast tens of millions of monthly active users, collectively reaching well over 100 million in the U.S. alone.

I left my longtime perch at USA TODAY on Jan. 7, 2021 with the hope of growing Photowalks, but frankly it’s taken off way further than I would have ever dreamed in just 3.5 years.

And none of this would have ever been possible without one incredible person, Mr. Brian Donlon, the former Scripps exec who initially had the foresight to put the show on the air. Thanks again BD!

Kudos also to other instrumental folks in first bringing Photowalks to the living room: Scott Bourne, Renee Felton, Paul Ellis and my brother Jez Graham. (I’ll have more on my brother and his massive contributions to Photowalks in Sunday’s newsletter.) The brilliant Sean Fujiwara, my co-executive producer, helps me polish the show every week and make it shine and my wife Ruth assists with camera work on the various trips.

A huge thanks as well to some of the local tourist boards we’ve been working with this year, including those in Galveston, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and Cleveland, and the great brands, including Best Western, Marriott and Blackmagic Camera.

And a big hand clap to the viewers and all the folks who have been leaving such nice notes lately—and even the ones who don’t.

—”I just finished watching your Photo Walk in Cincinnati. It was top notch. Great locations, great photography and some really tasty looking food suggestions. I’m always impressed by your productions but this one was exceptional. I’m ready to charge up the iPhone and drive to Cincinnati to trace your steps.” —Don.

—”Whether people may have short or longer vacations you give great tips on trip planning and, more importantly, how to use their cell phones to create wonderful memories they will treasure forever.”—Paul

—”Cleveland is where I was born and raised. I can’t believe I never went to the top of the Terminal Tower or the main building of the Cleveland Public Library. I’ll be sharing this episode with all of my friends back in Cleveland.” —-Todd

—”I thought I knew Detroit - you taught me a thing or two!”—Brian

—”So informative and entertaining!”—Kathy

ICYMI, here are some of the best episodes from 2025:

Apple News: $3B and 8X

Take this with a grain of salt, but the website MacRumors says it got a tip that Apple will up the telephoto size of its Pro camera from 5x to 8X in the new edition iPhone, which we expect to be announced on 9/9.

If so, I’m all for it. The more Xs the better! That would take it from a roughly 120mm equivalent to something in the 200mm range. Great! But again, we really won’t know what the next iPhone is about until Apple tells us. So stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the company said this week that some 3 billion iPhones have now been sold since the line first launched in 2007. It was already the best selling consumer electronics item ever by one company, but 3 billion is quite a number.

Apple announced another record quarter Thursday, I believe, solely due to its ecosystem. With so many people using their products, they’re pre-disposed to buy more of them than switch.

What new features do you want to see in the next iPhone?

Jeff