Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sweeps Month in August
Watching the stories Yesterday on some of the local stations, you would think it was a ratings month, however the Olympics on one of them makes it close to it. KWCH's story on the 911 dispatch system and problems sending out crews was well done both in content and execution. Although KSN ran a version of the story earlier in the day, it wasn't near to KWCH's Kim Wilhelm's story who had interviews from people who were forced to wait for help while equipment was dispatched from far away. It is a good example of the same topic, but with a few more details and a little polish the stories can come off much different. Good work KWCH on that one. I will give KSN credit for a story that ran after the Olympics on the VA Hospital and medical alarms being ignored and silenced. Josh Wittsman had a solid piece, but the more disturbing thing was that most of those interviewed feel like the situation has been taken care of, although it doesn't quite seem that way. This has been one of several special features KSN has aired following NBC's nightly Olympic coverage. I will say I think the network isn't helping its affiliates much by delaying the end of the Olympic coverage. Often times the athletic action will end and then they will continue with a few more segments of feature stories. With the coverage already past 11, I think it gives people further excuse to turn out before it even gets to the local news. So despite the large numbers NBC is pulling I would love to know what percent of that stays around for the local newscasts. I am sure it is an increase from normal, but could be better if NBC just got out of their coverage a few segments and minutes earlier. -Hal
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40 comments:
totally agree about the questions surrounding how many of nbc's audience hangs around after prime-time olympics. all the more reason why KSN needs to air a "extended teaser" version of the story at 6, then the main airing at 11'ish. KSN's "extra" stories have been pretty decent, especially the VA one, so why not give it all the airtime it needs. KSN continues to lack forethought and it shows.
I think KSN is making waves actually with much more forethought since the former news director left. In the interim term they have had some nice in-depth pieces for the Olympics. Say what you will about a teaser for the 6, I think they have done a real decent job showing they can compete given now some direction.
KSN is doing a lot better since the former ND is out.
KSN has been promoting those stories, actually, and those promos have been airing in their early newscasts.
KWCH's Liz Collin (now at Minneapolis's powerhouse WCCO), did the VA heart alarms story nearly 3 yrs. ago in Nov. 2005. It led to Tiahrt's office looking into the situation.
KWCH had lackluster coverage of the casino decision. KSN and KAKE clearly won that story.
Please. KWCH had two live reports at 5 and 6, the others had one. KWCH broke in with the news and carried the announcement live on air and online, no one else did. KWCH had live blogging from Topeka, no one else did. Your bia is showing 10:49. Someone upset you get beat? Probably.
Forget the coverage itself, start with KWCH not even leading with it at six! What a shortsighted decision.
KWCH had it covered, but they played it very safe like a dominant #1 does it. KSN got off to a slow start, once again, by not having any Topeka presense on Thursday, but as always battled back in the end and probably did as well if not better reporting wise than KAKE on Friday. KWCH's stories had the details, but the presentation just was not there and where were the sound bites and emotion the others got from one of the heads from Wellington? That made the other station's stories and might have been why KWCH didn't lead with it at 6PM? I'd been curious if a Schwanke or a Wilhelm were up there if their coverage would have been a tad improved?
Live blogging from Topeka doesn't make up for a weak report at 6.
At 6 they led with a story that's gotten national attention, the Fort Hays debate coach. THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WITH SOUND FROM THE COACH FOR THE FIRST TIME. KWCH broke the story. It was an exclusive. They did plenty on the casino at 5 AND 6. You all got your ass's kicked and are now full of sour grapes.
You had one sound bite with a coach. You didn't break anything-- You Tube did. And how can we be full of sour grapes when we outperformed 12? Bottom line, you had your weakest reporters on the biggest story, then tried to cover up with something that was just decent (the debate coach didn't even appear to the end of your story). No sour grapes here, just reminding you you're not always as great as you like to think.
Viewers don't care about what we think they care about. Or at least they don't overthink them. If a 12, 10 and 3 employee argued about which lead was the best, they'd be the only three people in Kansas arguing about it. Have you ever been out at a restaurant or a ball game or a concert and realized that viewers don't care about the things we debate? If not, you should. It gives you a better perspective on what's important.
Which story effects more people? A casino or a debate coach?
The fact is out in western Kansas, a lot more people care about the debate coach. They got both. You are just sour because you didn't get the coach and instead played catch up on that story too.
The fact is 12 has done more stories about the casino for month and months. It dropped off the radar completely if you watched 3 or 10. I guess the ratings...wait you don't have any and lie about the ones you do have on here to boost your pathetic ego.
KWCH has done 2 follow up stories on the 911 system. KSN=0. Talk about dropping the ball. This is me, chiming in.
Thanks for chiming in, but KAKE and the newspaper have done zero stories on the 911 issue. Go bother them. I agree KWCH (Kim Wilhelm, not the flunky who writes into this blog) has done a fine job on the 911 story, but KSN has done more quality stories in the past two weeks than any other station.
No they have not. You work at KSN so that is your bias right there. Look for your ratings to sink now that the games are over. Goodnight.
Anon 11:46 hit it on the head. We viewers do care about different leads many times.
Prime example this morning (8/25) at 6:30 I turned on KAKE. I said to my wife in jest... I need to see if there was a shooting overnight. Sure enough, what did Mike lead off with a shooting.
However, about 3 or 4 stories in, there was a story about a 9 year old in Clearwater who ran back into a burning house to rescue his little sister this weekend.
My gosh, that was a remarkable story (the reporting was weak though), it happened Friday night and I may be wrong, but Hatteberg didn't even mention it Sunday night at 10.
As a viewer I am getting tired of seeing all of the shootings lead off the news, and then for a child hero story to be that far in on a 6:30 am newscast, it blew me away.
I was happy to see it finally covered tonight (MONDAY) on KWCH. Way to go guys almost 36 hours later.
But... KSN had it on Saturday evening. My point is; guys you all screw up, and you all do good and this is a prime example.
I know I will get accused of working for a station... but as I have said before I have been out of the biz for 15 years, but stay interested in the goings on. My thoughts...I can't stand KSN's anchors, but 3 has a solid newscast. I have a lot of faith in KWCH, but I hate the arrogance I read with employee comments on here, which tarnishes the station image. 10... well, I still think Deb Ferris is hot.
Scotty do you mean you don't like Anita, or the weather/sports guys as well. I ask because Anchor wise, they've really only got Anita.
Another deadly shooting at a club is BIG NEWS. Businesses are closing because of it. The City Council and police are looking at new regulations. It's an important story. While KAKE simply said oh another shooting, KWCH actually looked at the bigger issue. That's the important thing, forward the story, make it different even if it's the same "lead."
kake first ran that story about the boy at 6pm saturday.
KWCH'S story about a company sending out materials packed in shredded checks has gotten national and worldwide attention. Stations across the country and CNN have played it multiple times. You don't see any KAKE stories nationally.
Anon 7:31:
I am talking about Anita, Stephanie & Aileen (I can somewhat handle Powell). I do like Jim K's Sports & can handle Freeman.
Anon 7:51:
What your saying is true, shootings ARE big news. But for the VIEWER, we don't want to see that as a lead every night at 10PM!
Is it just me or do we have the new marketing person from KWCH posting on this site constantly? Get back to doing your job instead of browsing online and thinking you'll improve the declining ratings here.
No declining ratings you KAKE hack. You were the one posting FAKE ratings saying KAKE is No.1 in most timeslots. You are the one who has KSN nipping on your heals, not KWCH.
I will agree the story about the boy running into the burning building should have gotten a lot more play than it did.
As far as the shootings though, get over it. The guy KWCH talked to this week was the SAME guy KAKE talked to right after the last round of club shootings a couple weeks ago.
KAKE didn't just talk about "another shooting". They talked about it closing businesses and what the police say needs to happen. Neither missed anything nor did anything revolutionary.
KSN has been awarded KAB station of the year. Bet that is going to piss of KWCH. Lets see them spin that.
KSN- The new KAB station of the year for 2008.
I doubt the average viewer has any idea what a KAB is. More to the point...do they even care?
The more money you spend on entries increases your odds of winning plaques. The more plaques, the more points. Most points = station of the year.
Unless it's a Morrow (for the older KWCH generation) or an Emmy, awards don't resonate with most viewers.
Is KSN anchoring their Friday newscasts by committee. At 5PM it was Anne Meyer, at 6PM it was Jason Kravarik. By 10PM will it be Larry Steckline?
anonymous 4:47. Get a life.
I love how people all of a sudden say "awards don't resonate." Give me a break. KSN is coming on strong, this is another sign.
KAB is a popularity contest. Those who run it are partial to KSN.
Oh my gosh. I've heard it all. "Those who run it are partial to KSN." I don't even know what that means. It's the sign of desperation, and anyone with half a brain sees it. Please, stop posting these ridiculous comments from the one person that's maligning the rest of the decent people at KWCH.
Partial to KSN. This is the first time they have one Station of the Year, How is it that the KAB is partial. Isn't the KAB run like other contests where the people who judge are from other markets Hal, time for a new post
Anon 713:
"I doubt the average viewer has any idea what a KAB is. More to the point...do they even care?
Unless it's a Morrow (for the older KWCH generation) or an Emmy, awards don't resonate with most viewers."
Really? Then why did Channel 12 have Station of the Year plastered all over their station IDs in 2005? Why did Channel 10 have Station of the Year added to the news opens?
I sense that hypocrites and sore losers are amongst these trolls.
It's MURROW....as in Edward R. Murrow
Ratings are all that matter and KSN has almost none and KAKE is barely around.
KSN won a Murrow this year...
and now KAB station of the year.
Now only if KSN had Caroline Brady... that would be awesome... :D
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