A commenter from the previous post wanted to know what specific advice I could give the newest KSN reporter, Aja, (I still don't know her last name) after I was highly critical not as much of her but of her being hired in a town the size of Wichita for what appears to be a starting job. I think any viewer could watch and give her plenty of advice so I'll hold off for now. Enough on her, but it got me to thinking. Is Wichita becoming a starter's market? I did a quick search to see of the 3 stations, which ones have reporters who started in Wichita as their first job (not in a bureau or smaller maket.) I will say I have never thought about this before so I really cannot compare this to other times in Wichita TV, however, there are at least two reporters where Wichita is their first stop. And frankly if I had to guess a name, theirs would have been two of three to come up. After checking station bios I discovered one came to KAKE after graduating from Wichita State and having the solid experience of being an intern at KAKE. It doesn't appear she had any bureau experience. When she started and even now at times, she can be uncomfortable to watch. I cannot remember if I have been critical of her before, but she is one that has improved in her time at KAKE. However she is far from being on my All-Star team of Wichita reporters. Her lack of skill is somewhat covered up by a confidence she has on air. At times that can hurt because when she does bomb, that confidence can cause her to bomb big time. I think a year or two at a bureau or a smaller station really could have helped her career. Another KAKE reporter moved to the position after being a producer. I will say at least she had some newsroom experience, although she is one I would say needs a lot of improvement, despite being a reporter for a few years. There is one reporter at KWCH who I still wonder if Wichita is her first stop, but I can't tell from the web site.
Now lets look at a few cases of how this business should work and how working at a smaller market or a bureau can be beneficial to all: the reporter, the station and the viewer.
Nick VinZant - I cannot remember which bureau he worked at for KAKE, but here was a kid that was actually pretty decent for a bureau reporter. He did his time and now it appears he is in Wichita full time. Is he the best at KAKE, no, however he does a good job and shows how time at a bureau can build confidence and on-air skill.
Natasha Trelfa - I'll say it. I think she is now the best reporter on KAKE for the total package (on-air appearances and story content). I never saw her in Topeka, but she got her start there and then moved to Wichita. She has been here less than a year and I think, based on what I see of her, she won't be here long. A great example of how Topeka can be a great feeder for Wichita.
Megan Strader - I'll admit I may have called her out in the early days of this blog when she was a bureau reporter for KWCH. Since then she has improved her on camera work, her story content and now, I think, is based in Wichita for KWCH. Yet another example of how starting at a bureau, developing a style, getting the mistakes out of your system, makes reporting in Wichita all the more easier.
Chanda Brown - Another bureau start-up who I guess, for lack of a better word, graduated to Wichita a number of years ago. I really do not remember specifics from her time at a KSN bureau, but will assume she has improved.
Now don't get me wrong, Wichita isn't a big media town, but I think and hope it hasn't become a market to start out in. If it is then the 15-20 reporters currently here, who have paid their dues in smaller markets and bureaus should be angry (No, not jealous because they are head and tails better than the current start-ups.) -Hal
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Anyone know how KWCH (CBS) got a special report from the ABC in Kansas City? I wonder what KAKE has to say about that.
Actually if I remember right, KWCH even teazed that today in what seemed as their sweeps piece. It didn't say exclusive,they definietely played it up. Then to watch very simmilar tracks on and sound bites on both stories, it had to come from the same source. I wonder if KMBC is a CNN affiliate and KWCH got it that way and KAKE got it from KMBC.
Most all stations with a few exceptions are CNN affiliates. That is likely where the pkg came from and it's free use to any CNN affiliate.
KAKE would have nothing to say about it and nothing they could say. KMBC may be an ABC affiliate but they are not a Gray owned station like KAKE.
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On the other hand, WIBW in Topeka is a Gray station and also a CBS affiliate.
They almost always give KAKE things and not KWCH in clear violation of their agreement with CBS.
Not let's get back to the topic at hand.
This is not the first station for any of the KWCH reporters based in Wichita.
In fact, KWCH's reporters combined have been here longer than KAKE'S current crew or KSN's. Most of the people there have only been in town a few months, maybe a year.
This should not be a beginners market for anyone...not for reporters, certainly not for anchors or anyone in the newsroom be they photographers or producers or anyone else. Wichita should be a person's second or third station NOT their first.
KAKE only has one bureau.
KSN has none.
KWCH has three fulltime: Dodge City, Hays and Salina.
KAKE only has one bureau.
KSN has none.
KWCH has three fulltime: Dodge City, Hays and Salina.
^^^^^^^^
***Inaccurate!!!***
KSN has hired back their bureaus and will be staffing three of them.
Wichita is a beginner market like it or not! Ten years ago this was a market you worked your way up the ladder and might get in. Nowdays anyone can get an on air job. Abby Barnett went from intern to on air reporter in like a month, and it shows. TV in this market is becoming a joke. KSN went automated and the other two are not far behind. KAKE employs nothing but part-time employes anymore. KWCH has cut the staff in half from what it once was. Face it peeps this market is not what it used to be....get defensive all you want but the truth is this has become an entry-level market!
I think this is happening more and more because less people are going into the journalism field (especially television) because the younger generation now wonders if local news will exist in 10-20 years and see how poor the pay is unless you are an established name in a market.Because of this the talent pool is thinner and since there are several local news stations, we get more green talent in larger markets. Many in journalism now opt for more of the Public Relations and internet related media instead of radio/tv... Its just going where the dollars are..
does sports and weather start here as well? Are the younger weekends guys new too?
Anon 8 knows nothing about what he is talking about. He's likely bitter about something and lashing out.
1) KSN is the only automated station in the market. There are no plans at KAKE or KWCH to do the same. They've seen the problems it created and I guarantee there are no plans to follow suit. That is part of the reason KSN's ratings have tanked. No one is going down that road again.
2) If anything, stations are hiring people again. KWCH is hiring left and right, from the web to producers and on-air people.
They are also adding onto their building. You don't know what you are talking about again.
3) No one can simply get a job on the air. It sounds like bitterness from someone who couldn't. Barnett was a big mistake on KAKE's part and most people on here said so. She's been eclipsed by several hires at KAKE and is now at the bottom of the pack.
I disagree with one of your commentators. I think there are A LOT of people out there just dying to be on TV. And they'll work for PEANUTS to do it. Which is why you get younger and younger on-air personalities. 23 year olds rarely have families to support, and these days parents still help their children financially long after they leave home. The 40 year olds Hal wants to see giving him the news are at PR jobs, which pay enough to support more than one person. So yes, maybe Wichita is becoming a starter market, but don't blame the talent for wanting to work in a medium sized market for their first job. Blame your managers for refusing to hire anyone for more than $25K a year.
Let's stop bagging on Barnett. Again, What can she do to improve? She was probably hired when they needed a quick replacement. She knew the area, knew the newsroom, she's growing as a reporter, and you should appreciate that. And Natasha's a great reporter, and looks great on-air. But rather than divide the reporters into two groups (the have-a-future and the not-have-a-future in the biz), figure out a way to bring Abby to Natasha's level.
Anyone notice KWCH's new opening in the sports department? Who is leaving? Or are they adding a 4th person?
25k, is that the starting salary for a news reporter? I hope you have great benefits. Glad my career is in a different direction.
Lets face it: being a TV reporter isn't the most difficult profession. However, its not something you can just teach to anyone and have them be a success at. A great TV reporter has to have a bit of natural talent or personality. If they can write and know how to get the story those are just the basics. From there then you can coach, refine or mold into a better on-air personality. Hal, you are right. Some of these young people, do not have these basics.
Anon 11 I am Anon 8 and you are severly mistaken!
KWCH toured KSN several months ago to check out the automated system and see exactly what it would involve to put it in. And KAKE tanked getting a new graphic system because it was not compatible with automation.....what does that tell you? It should tell you, if you had half a brain, that automation is right around the corner for both stations. Tell me smart guy how are they going to move into the digital age if they keep the current staff? They can't because there is not enough capital. You watch when the time comes for all these stations to make the big change they are goig to drop their production department and go automated.
Yeah KWCH might be hiring as well as the other stations but what does that tell you? It should tell you people are vacating those positions. It means the older, wiser employees see the handwriting on the wall and are fleeing the sinking ship. And most of what I have seen KWCH hiring for is sports web related content so that should tell you that the web is becoming increasingly important to this biz which backs up my arguement for automation even more.
And last but not least YES anyone can just jump on air in Wichita if you have the right connections. I am not bitter nor have I ever had a desire to be in front of the camera so you are wrong and need to let that dog sleep! Not all the stations do it, but KAKE has had an enormous amount of green reporters as of late. Barnett as I mentioned, Cerrullo, Morgan Smith, once in awhile they have that sports producer girl on air....Abby something or another. Point is Wichita has become a place where this can happen. Ten years ago you didn't intern one day then start reporting the next. KWCH's Jeremy Hubbard started as an intern, then was an assignment editor, then went to reporting, then left here to go to I beleive K.C., and now he reports for ABC. That is how it used to work you had to pay your dues.....not anymore!
They toured it to see what it was like. That doesn't mean squat. And after seeing their problems I guarantee there are no plans to switch.
Sinking ships. Ratings double KAKE and triple KSN. Ya that's really sinking you putz.
The last poster is obviously bitter about something. Perhaps being passed over for a promotion or fired.
EVERY station will be automated eventually. It's the digital age, people.... it's the natural progression of things.
Digital does not have to mean automated. Automated is another word for cheap and a lack of quality.
Hmmmm something tells me that KAKE-TV is going automated in the very near future. Everybody who works there knows cheap + lack of quality = KAKE. I remember for MONTHS they wouldn't even pay for disposable cups so people could get water in the newsroom. I think Susan Peters eventually brought some in!
Well if they do it would be a company wide thing via Gray. Either way automation is a disaster and once a station or network does it their quality and credibility go right out the window.
No we still don't have cups at KAKE, or utensils, condiments, bonuses, and occasionally hot water and heat. But we do have free coffee and the most local newscasts of any station. (Insert sarcastic tone here) My favorite are the signs in the bathroom reminding everyone to turn off the lights....twice now someone has shut off the lights while I am in there doing my business.
Most local newscasts? KWCH produces four hours each morning (across two stations), plus a half-hour for Fox. Your math doesn't add up. BTW, sorry to hear about folks turning off the lights while you're in the restroom...no employee should ever have to deal with that.
Anon above is right.
The "bureaus" as you call them, have all but dried up. The revenue to support that just isn't there anymore. Sure, they may get some experience in GC, or Hays, but it is so lame, that it really isn't much help.
They have to start somewhere, so yes, Wichita is rapidly becomming a beginning stop for many.
The schools and universities aren't much help really, way out of date, like the old saying goes....those that can't do--"
What bothers me more than anything, is that it seems the news directors aren't always HIRING the best talent. I guess it takes a certain "eye" but I think they could do a better job at recognizing raw talent, and then molding that person into a great reporter. They seem to be hiring more from resumes or EEO, or something. I know I'll get flamed, but on air talent has a certain "celebrity" factor to it besides just talent. They must have a decent amount of confidence, charisma & on-air presence, in order to really take off and be someone.
I bet the KAKEr is talking about the repeats on Kansas Now 22. Here is the breakdown for original content:
Weekday:
KWCH: 6.5 hours
KAKE: 4.5 hours
KSN: 4.5 hours
Saturday:
KWCH: 3 hours
KAKE: 2 hours
KSN: 1 hour
Sunday: (news only)
KWCH: 1 hour
KAKE: 1 hour
KSN: .5 hours
So let's do the math of locally produced news content. Per week without breaking news:
KWCH: 36.5 hours
KAKE: 25.5 hours
KSN: 24 hours
It's not even a contest. If you want to say that 4pm infotainment program gives you 1 more local newscast than the other guys fine. But when it comes to locally produced, new content, you are beaten easily.
Wichita is NOT a beginning market.
We are market 69. There are 200 other markets. Go to some of them and they are beginners. Basically anything above 100 is a starters market.
Wichita is usually, with a few good or bad exceptions, the second or third stop for on-air talent.
Utensils? Who needs untensils. KSN gives away free tampons.
KAKE has 3.5 hours of local news on Saturdays. Two hours of GMK Weekend in the morning, newscasts at both 6:00p.m. and 6:30p.m. as well as the 10:00 newscast. 3.5 hours.
I love how I make a sarcastic comment and someone has to get all touchy feely and argue about who does the most local news.... lol
"No we still don't have cups at KAKE, or utensils, condiments, bonuses, and occasionally hot water and heat. But we do have free coffee and the most local newscasts of any station. (Insert sarcastic tone here) My favorite are the signs in the bathroom reminding everyone to turn off the lights....twice now someone has shut off the lights while I am in there doing my business."
Someone wrote all of that and the only thing you got out of it was the desire to argue about who does the most news???? And then one of you was anal enough to break down exactly how many hours of news each station puts on....AND you got it wrong......you people need a girlfriend and something better to do with your time.
BTW that poster was right KAKE is a pit right now.
I forgot about the 1st hour of GMK Wknd. Still that means the following:
KWCH: 36.5 hours
KAKE: 27 hours
KSN: 24 hours
KWCH has 10.5 more hours of local news each week then KAKE. That's staggering.
I love how all you KWCH people are bragging about the amount of news you put on the air.....you make absolutely not a dime more money than anyone else in the market and they are making you do more news than anyone else.....yeah I would brag about that too if I were you idiot!
If you really think the people at 12 don't make more money overall(both personally and as a station) than the others you are delusional. There's a reason they have the best equipment in town. There's a reason they are the only ones expanding while everyone else is cutting back. Get a clue man. Get a clue.
That previous poster is right 12 pays just like everyone else...... POORLY! And I don't need to think that I KNOW that cause I work there.
I have friends at all 3 stations and I see their paychecks as well, and I hear horror stories about all 3 stations in this race there is no winner just three first place losers.
You can make it sound like the grass is greener at KWCH all you want, but the truth is it's a pit just like every place else in this market. It is the market as a whole that has gone to pot not any one station....although I do hear things at KAKE are really horrible currently.
All these posters on here yelling "Go Team" are either to young and dumb to know any better, OR they are management.
My guess is whomever is posting all this pro-KWCH crap is some newsroom brown-noser. They think they're saving the world by dominating Wichita TV with "Breaking News" about car wrecks, fires, and cats stuck in trees.
Winning the ratings war in a market with one station who gave up and another one that is to cheap to put up a fight is NOTHING I would brag about if I were you.
P.S.
Before someone retorts with the ever so popular "Oh someone is jealous and bitter and must have been passed up for a raise or a promotion" All of those are incorrect. I have a good position that I busted my bum to achieve.
I hope all of the employees have GREAT insurance, benefits, and vacation packages. If so, maybe that will make up for poor salaries.
From what I understand KAKE is extremely stingy when it comes to handing out benefits. I know a couple of people in the news dept. over there and they both have told me that KAKE will hardly give anyone benefits (they rarely ever hire for a full time position -- they make everyone part time and work them 40+ hours a week).
My buddy was on this website when I was at his house the other night, and all I have to say is, GET A LIFE. You are all just out to bash each other; it's sick.
If more people from Wichita, people you call "your viewers," viewed this website, they wouldn't watch any station. You guys are just the ones who are giving news and media such bad names.
Get off of this website and do something good and positive with your extra time. What I'm saying is, GET A LIFE
This coming from the person who decided to read it all AND post a comment.....practice what you preach dude!
Weather opening at KWCH! Is someone leaving Hal?
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