A critical look at the Wichita TV news

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Leading off WITHOUT the News

With Football, KWCH was late because of a late afternoon game and KSN late with the prime time game, KAKE was the first with the 10PM news, without it. They lead off with a story of how the hunter population is dwindling. They must of had their scanners off. Meanwhile KWCH starts about 15 minutes late and leads with a body found and KSN follows about 15 minutes later with the same story. Now hold on, I am the first to admit I don't get overly excited about the latest shooting or stabbing or other crime and I have chastised stations who go overboard. But as a station who meticulously promotes they are the station for breaking news, KAKE certainly was not it Tonight. -Hal

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought 12's story about the huge underage drinking bust was good.

KAKE's "lead" was the lack of hunters story that was on Poynter's Als Morning meeting this week. The woman even said it's not an issue here but of course KAKE hypes it up like it is. Too bad they can't come up with an original idea.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. Not that the body was big news, but it stood out so much because KAKE is the one station that loves those stories.

Anonymous said...

What anchors do you look forward to during breaking news.

WichitaMedia said...

Good question, but the answer really isn't any different than who I prefer anchoring on a nightly basis. I like KWCH's Roger and Cindy for breaking news and the overall presentation. I will say most of their reporters, NOT ALL, stay way from instantly bringing fear into a live breaking news shot. For some it can be hard to grab a breath in breaking situations, get a feel for the situation and put it into a greater context and realize that the world may not be spinning out of orbit, as much as they may think after a raging 2 alarm fire, shooting, stabbing or what have you. -Hal

Anonymous said...

More hits against 12's reporters. What is your background Hal? What are your credentials? Until you tell us you have no room to criticize anyone from any station.

Anonymous said...

KAKE has had almost their entire reporter corps. leave in the past month. Tonight they had their assignment desk guy, former KFDIer Jared Cerullo on. Your thoughts?

WichitaMedia said...

WOW. What can I say. I thought I offered a compliment to the KWCHers saying, "most of the their reporters, NOT ALL, stay way from instantly bringing fear into a live breaking news shot," but once again they get defensive. WOW. What is in the drinking water over there at 12? How can anybody in a market this size, I don't care what the station is, think they have no weaknesses. Luckily for KWCH they have a solid foundation in Roger and Cindy and a solid reputation that shows no hints of crumbling. -Hal

Anonymous said...

Hal. Don't get uptight about 1 or 2 channel 12ers who speak for their majority. I'm sure it's just a squirrely newby that's having his/her fun. You started out on this blog as a 12 supporter, and over the months they have done themselves in with their arrogance. You said it-- they have Roger and Cindy and a few others picking up the slack for the glorified interns who write into this blog.

WichitaMedia said...

I didn't think about the KAKE and reporters leaving, but you do bring up an interesting point. Just looking on line it looks like Kara Kumari and Jeanine Keesling are all gone. I seem to remember that Kara went somewhere to the south and I can't remember if I knew Jeanine had left or not. It was interesting watching Jared. Once again I didn't know he was working for KAKE. Come to think of it I hadn't heard him on KFDI for a long time. Making the change to radio to TV can be hard, but I thought Jared did a real fine job for whaty I think is his debut to TV. Stories like the crime case he did, which recaps an unsolved crime is a real nice way for him to get used to TV and I think KAKE execs should be real happy with his debut. Is he network level, no, but I think he is better than someothers in the market. (I wont name those names since some feelings may be hurt. No, I am not directing this at you KWCHers). -Hal

Anonymous said...

It might not even be a "KWCHer" posting. It could be anyone with all the anonymous stuff. Cool your jets people. And if it IS a "KWCHer", they obviously don't know how to read and interpret- so they should probably shut up and quit posting stupid things. Now that that is said, I'll go back enjoying being a glorified KSN intern.... or will I?

Anonymous said...

hey did we ever find out what ever happened to Weathergirl Butor?

Anonymous said...

Lindsey left for "personal reasons." That's all any of us know. It's a shame because everyone at 12 loved her and I think most the public did too.

Anonymous said...

Lindsey left for personal reasons. She is fine. She told me she would appreciate some privacy at this time. I think we all should respect that.

Anonymous said...

well the best to her. I don't even work at her station, I work at another one, but she was nice and I wish her the best.
See? People CAN be adult and mature.