A critical look at the Wichita TV news

Monday, January 12, 2009

Cessna Layoffs and State Legislature Coverage

Although we still do not know the exact number in Wichita, Cessna confirmed they will cut 2000 jobs throughout the company. KWCH and KAKE (KSN led with Topeka) led with it at 10. Although KWCH did not lead with it at 6 (KAKE and KSN did), KWCH did at 10 and definitely had the best tease and angle on the cuts. I still think the story could have been better, however it could have just been that the wording of the tease really oversold me on the possibility of watching a different layoffs story, besides asking workers in their cars what they think (like KAKE and KSN at 10). Rebecca Gannon did not have those interviews and I was glad for that. The tease going into the KWCH 10PM newscast had county commissioner Gwen Welshimer on the screen as the voice talked about how the county and city had agreed months ago to give Cessna incentives to build a new pant. It talked about the layoffs and asked whether taxpayers would foot part of the bill of a new plant for a company laying off people. In the story Welshimer then says how those incentives haven't yet and wont be given to the company until they complete different phases of the facility. Of the three, I will give KWCH credit for advancing the story beyond asking the workers in their cars leaving the plant how they feel about the layoffs. I just felt I was going to get a little more on that story besides a sound bite from Welshimer about the county's incentive deal and then pretty much a summary of everything else that happened in the day regarding the upcoming layoffs. It may be no fault of Rebecca Gannon. I think she advanced the county and city incentive angle as much as she could, her story was simply upstaged by a well written tease. And in the TV business that should be considered a good night, when they sell themselves well and get people to watch.

State of the State - KAKE had Abby Barnett in Topeka at 5 and 6PM. They improved their coverage substantially at 10PM when I believe they had sister station, WIBW main anchor Melissa Brunner, cover the Governor's address. I didn't catch the name, but I believe it was her. I thought she was very good and do not understand why Abby and her don't switch and have Melissa head to Wichita and Abby stay in Topeka. Having the WIBW anchor do KAKE's report at ten improved their coverage from the earlier newscasts and evened things out among the three stations at 10PM. KWCH's Kim Wilhelm and KSN's Anne Meyer have covered the Legislature many times before and their experience shows in their reports from the Statehouse versus the always green Abby. -Hal

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barnett is probably, no definetly the most "green" reporter in Wichita. That's the most diplomatic way to put it. She has not improved really since she started here. Remember, KAKE was so hard up for talent at that point they hired her right out of her internship because they had to.

Anonymous said...

I saw KWCH promote their Cessna story all evening. The video was of McConnell KC 135 refueling planes and McConnell personnel working on the plane. What does that have to do with Cessna??? If you're going to promote a story, why not use the correct video?

Anonymous said...

I wonder why KAKE and KSN don't do more with their website. It seems they just put stories up and that's it.

KWCH and the Eagle have by far the most original content online. I mean 12 has sections on the Herrman case, different pages for their franchises and an Inauguration page just to name a few. Why don't KAKE and KSN do more of that?

Anonymous said...

There was no tanker video in that promo. Nice try there. More lies from the KAKE crew.

Anonymous said...

i saw the promo. the copy spoke of layoffs, all i saw were men in uniform refueling military aircraft. tankers or not, the video didn't match.

ps...funny how the 12 troll condemns personal critiques when it's a co-worker of his own (hynes) but has no problem if hal comments on talent from another station (barnett). so as long as hal speaks critically of others, he's "right" and if it's about anyone at 12, he's "wrong." what a fair and balanced place he must come from...!

Anonymous said...

I don't work at KAKE...nice try on your part. And I think I know a tanker when I see one. The markings on the back of the plane and the men in uniform gave it away. Double check your facts with 2 sources before you make your comments.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading this blog for several months now, not because I’m a news hound but I love that all the news people talk crap on each other. I wanted to address a couple of things that seem to bug me. Why does everyone think Hal hates 12? Most of Hals comments seem to be positive about 12 with some critiques and he critiques all stations. I'm not in the news world but I am a viewer and you guys talk about taking care of your viewers and viewers are the most important thing, but after reading this blog I would strongly disagree. You guys are the pettiest bunch of people; the only thing you care about is who beats who. Nothing in your comments does if ever say viewer first, except for your banter (Practice what you preach). The other thing that bothers me is you guys asking Hal qualifications, guess what guys it’s a BLOG, it’s someone’s thoughts and opinions if you don’t like it don’t read it. In another words if you don’t like what you see, turn the station (isn’t that what you guys tell people). I know TV is in financial trouble but don’t use this for your marketing agenda’s and try using some traditional advertising….maybe TV. Hal thanks for the many hours of enjoyment also you might want to go work for 12 because after reading your blog I started watching 12 and I like it.

Anonymous said...

Hynes is a good reporter. Barnett is not. It's that simple.

Anonymous said...

Each station tried to localize the Hudson River crash. At 10, I thought it was KWCH, KSN followed by KAKE.

Both KWCH and KSN talked about birds and the flight paths in Wichita with so many airports. KWCH went a step further with a pilot from Wichita who flew over the scene today (it also happened to be Merril Teller's which they disclosed). KAKE ran one national pkg then moved on. For the biggest story of the day, I don't believe they did it justice.

Question: Does KAKE have a graphics department anymore? Their graphics for the US Airways crash involving an Airbus showed a Generic 747. That is grossly inaccurate. I wonder with all the cutbacks at Gray if they've cut that too. Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

no, it's not that simple. you often refer to hal's critiques of hynes as personal "attacks:"

"Your opinion of Kim Hynes again appears in one of your posts. Your personal attacks on her in the past have been beyond the pale so it's not surprising that you again go after her work."

if a blogger does not care for a reporter, that's his opinion. he obviously is not crazy about barnett, either. so what? i just find it amusing that you condemn his comments while making the same about someone else. frankly, neither reporter is one of my favorites. but that's not the point. as someone who clearly thinks of themself as an educated journalist, you just can't stop editorializing. : )

but i'll give you this. your posts are usually the most entertaining..!

Anonymous said...

KAKE again showed gross negligence with its token coverage of a mega story with SERIOUS aviation concerns/issues. Not localizing-or doing more--on the Hudson River crash landing is a very poor call.

Anonymous said...

Where is Matt Mauro going to?

Anonymous said...

KSN'S website refers to the Butler County Attorney as the District Attorney. This is wrong. Do they have any sense of facts and accuracy over there.?

Anonymous said...

If it was such a SERIOUS aviation concern where was ALL of the coverage BEFORE US Air went swimming? Please.

Anonymous said...

I'll tell why its a serious aviation concern: the plane went IN THE WATER.

Anonymous said...

Again, if it was such a CONCERN, where were the stories highlighting, prompting change, of this serious issue...before the incident occurred. "Localizing" a national story can be just as pointless as "baby new year". The chances of a bird strike to an aircraft didn't change after US Air went into the Hudson.

Anonymous said...

Ah, well...the US Air Crash was the lead story everywhere in the country.

In what was/is the "Air Capitol of the World"--doesn't THAT at least warrant placement at the top of the news-like everywhere ELSE in the country?

Is this NOT a lead because a few thousand people build airplanes in Wichita?? Duh

Anonymous said...

I know weather was the story of the night, but unfortunately because of that KSN’s story last night with Dana Hertneky will go largely unnoticed. She had a real nice story including an interview with one of the relative’s of a victim from this weekend’s shooting at a wake. Say what you want about which station is first chasing a fire or a car wreck, but without a doubt KSN’s Hertneky is one of the best in the city when it comes to storytelling. She is one of KSN’s best on a regular basis and goes largely unnoticed or unmentioned in Wichtia.

Anonymous said...

Wow. It appears Hertneky's agent has found this blog.

Anonymous said...

The Cessna news today (1/29) looks like a blood bath. Interesting to see how the stations play this. This is a complete disaster. Very sad.

Anonymous said...

BREAKING NEWS: THE MOTHER OF ALL DEVASTATING STORIES: CESSNA WILL CUT 4,000 WICHITA JOBS, 4600 OVERALL.
Last one out of town, close the doors.
Will KAKE consider THIS NEWSWORTHY--even at 10 PM??!!! Or is it time for a winter stay-cation?

Anonymous said...

Someone needs to tell JD over at KSN to tone it down. He is a Freeman in training and comes off like a used car salesman.

Anonymous said...

And speaking of KSN... Anita Cochran, anyone?