TheRob

One of my former co-workers is now the ND at KOTV. I wonder what's going on down there. They clipped many of their managers a few months ago. Now some longtime talent is leaving.

PBS station KCPT lays off some staff. http://kcur.org/post/broadcast-veteran-randy-mason-among-those-laid-kansas-city-public-television

Lawrence is in the Kansas City DMA, even though it's slightly closer to Topeka. When I was a kid, the K.C. stations were crystal clear over the air, and the Topeka stations were not (broadcast pattern favored towns west/north of Topeka). That's too bad, though. "6 News" was a recorded newscast for many years. Their first live broadcast was the 1988 K.U. National Championship parade.

Yes. We have a portable printer too, in case someone needs to print in the field.

As someone who has produced many live stadium/sports-related newscasts, it certainly seems like WGCL didn't plan much in advance. Preparation is key. I write as much as possible in advance, then throw it out the window when the anchors see things happening on location. We have meetings and test sessions with engineers to make sure IFBs, monitors and iPads work. The anchors are right to be concerned, but they need to speak with management. Don't shame the newsroom. By the way, we do most of our "live" shows without a field producer.

Recent article on our "DIY" tech at Tribune http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103819/diy-tv-tech-powers-tribune-newsrooms-mcs

She's gone, although it doesn't sound like she wanted to be at WXIA much longer anyway ("read my blog!"). http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2017/04/28/valerie-hoff-of-11alive-resigns-after-using-the-n-word-in-private-twitter-exchange-with-black-viewer/

NECN, oh no...

Those three-year contracts are starting to come up... http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/kansas-city-reporter-takes-a-hiatus-from-television/188871 https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2017/4/23/more-changes-at-kansas-city-station

KCTV did not renew sports director Michael Coleman's contract. This week is his last week.

Three storm chasers were killed in a crash in Texas today (non-weather related). I saw a Weather Channel logo on one of the vehicles in a separate Twitter photo. http://www.kcbd.com/story/35017443/dps-3-storm-chasers-killed-in-crash-near-spur-tx

Our longtime main anchor at WDAF-TV will retire later this year. http://fox4kc.com/2017/03/24/fox-4-news-anchor-phil-witt-announces-retirement/

I had no idea about Finnerty. I wonder if KCTV failed to find it in the background check before they hired him, but found it after the fact.

I heard from KSHB that GM Brian Bracco is retiring.

KSNW's Dave Freeman is retiring. http://ksn.com/2017/03/06/chief-meteorologist-dave-freeman-announces-retirement-from-ksn/

WJBK weekend anchor Ron Savage died of a heart attack today. http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/238077533-story

What companies like Sinclair really want is access to New York (WPIX), Los Angeles (KTLA) and Chicago (WGN)-- mostly WGN. I warned about it when Liguori started complaining about the stock price (i.e., the investors want their money). Tribune sold real estate. They sold Gracenote. They offered buyouts. Liguori is leaving. Station sales are next. If no company can be formed to buy the whole lot, then Tribune will have to smash itself with a hammer.

Former Minneapolis sports broadcaster Rod Simons has died. http://www.fox9.com/news/236927360-story

The spectrum auction quiet period has ended. Big station groups are revealing the revenue, but not the specific allocations sold. http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/with-tribunes-take-spectrum-auction-proceeds-top-630-million/185533

KTXL's templates are weird because the producers don't set a hard "out" time. I think the Tribune animation is supposed to hit at 56:45 on weeknights and 57:45 on Saturday night.

A couple of months ago, I mentioned a WEWS anchor interviewed with us for our open anchor position. http://fox4kc.com/2017/01/05/fox-4-adds-evening-anchor/ Also, Abby Eden is moving to the morning show and Loren Halifax is moving nightside.

I know a great co-anchor, if she could stay out of prison.

KMBC morning meteorologist Erin Little is leaving the station. http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/tv/article124173359.html

KMBC - a couple of promos from May 1998

Hot spots won't help much. Extra hot spots did almost no good for us or any other TV station during World Series coverage a couple of years ago. They need to use the satellite space and feed using dedicated lines.