Saturday, February 28, 2009
Where is Merril?
I certainly have not asked that question, but I got a couple of comments to the blog wondering that and then I have seen it on the KWCH website. Then last night, Roger Cornish addressed it on the air, saying Merrill had taken time off and was training on some new HD weather equipment. Enough said. He'll probably be back just in time for the month delayed ratings period to start. Funny how that works. -Hal
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Switch is Here
In Wichita, KWCH and KAKE officially turned off their analog signals and now are broadcasting solely in digital, while KSN will wait until the June deadline. When I heard that Pres. Obama was moving the deadline to June, I thought it was a little ridiculous. I thought there was plenty of warning and stations did a fine job educating the public ,even having tests for people to make sure they had things working. According to a Wichita Eagle article, KWCH and KAKE, had people calling all day with issues. It really surprises me. Meanwhile in the article, it mentions KSN, who delayed the shutdown had a relatively quiet day with phone calls. I guess in one sense, when they do switch in June, they'll probably not have the volume of calls the other two had, because everyone by then will definitely have their home systems worked out. -Hal
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Wichita TV Stations' DTV Changeover
If you watched, listened and read the majority of coverage on Pres. Obama pushing back the last day TV stations may broadcast an analog signal to June 12, it seemed like it was assumed all stations would abide by the new date. The original date was Feb. 17.
However in the days that followed, the FCC requested to hear from stations as to what they would do, because stations would not need to continue broadcasting in analog, even with the extension. However to do so, the FCC would still have final say for each individual station. They can mandate a station not shut down the analog signal on February 17th, if they felt the public in that market would not be adequately served.
In a Wednesday NY Times article, it was reported that nearly 500 stations would broadcast exclusively in digital on Tuesday Feb. 17th as originally scheduled. Nearly 200 are already doing so including Hawaii.
Before this issue came up, local stations, as required by law, were running crawls warning people of the original date. However, when news of the deadline extension was announced, stations updated their crawls as to whether they were going to shut down the analog signal on the original date or wait until June. When it was announced Obama was going to extend the deadline, many stories in the media made it seem as if all stations would follow the extension. Now that doesn't necessarily seem the case. In part, because continuing to broadcast two signals, (digital and analog) comes at a cost during a time when bottom lines are tight. I have read articles from around the country that say some stations spend several $1000 a day in electric and other utility costs for the transmitters in doing this. I was curious as to what would happen here, when the stations here not only have one transmitter but several to reach across the state.
On the FCC site, a complete list of all the stations in the country is listed. Looking at that list (Pages 47-48) and the four network affiliated stations in Wichita (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC), only KSNW will continue to broadcast the analog signal into June. To me its not a big deal one way or the other. Keeping the analog signal until June is I guess helping those viewers who haven't heeded the warnings, but it seems as if it does come at a financial cost. -Hal
Vote in Poll Question: So should stations abide by Pres. O'Bama's extension or turn off the analog signal on Feb. 17? Vote now in the Wichita TV News Poll.
Update 2-15-09 - 1:30 PM: The Washington Post has an interesting article this morning outlining the problems that have occurred during the digital TV transition. It touches at the very end of the article how several hundred stations are still turning off the analog signals February 17. -Hal
However in the days that followed, the FCC requested to hear from stations as to what they would do, because stations would not need to continue broadcasting in analog, even with the extension. However to do so, the FCC would still have final say for each individual station. They can mandate a station not shut down the analog signal on February 17th, if they felt the public in that market would not be adequately served.
In a Wednesday NY Times article, it was reported that nearly 500 stations would broadcast exclusively in digital on Tuesday Feb. 17th as originally scheduled. Nearly 200 are already doing so including Hawaii.
Before this issue came up, local stations, as required by law, were running crawls warning people of the original date. However, when news of the deadline extension was announced, stations updated their crawls as to whether they were going to shut down the analog signal on the original date or wait until June. When it was announced Obama was going to extend the deadline, many stories in the media made it seem as if all stations would follow the extension. Now that doesn't necessarily seem the case. In part, because continuing to broadcast two signals, (digital and analog) comes at a cost during a time when bottom lines are tight. I have read articles from around the country that say some stations spend several $1000 a day in electric and other utility costs for the transmitters in doing this. I was curious as to what would happen here, when the stations here not only have one transmitter but several to reach across the state.
On the FCC site, a complete list of all the stations in the country is listed. Looking at that list (Pages 47-48) and the four network affiliated stations in Wichita (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC), only KSNW will continue to broadcast the analog signal into June. To me its not a big deal one way or the other. Keeping the analog signal until June is I guess helping those viewers who haven't heeded the warnings, but it seems as if it does come at a financial cost. -Hal
Vote in Poll Question: So should stations abide by Pres. O'Bama's extension or turn off the analog signal on Feb. 17? Vote now in the Wichita TV News Poll.
Update 2-15-09 - 1:30 PM: The Washington Post has an interesting article this morning outlining the problems that have occurred during the digital TV transition. It touches at the very end of the article how several hundred stations are still turning off the analog signals February 17. -Hal
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Economic Hardships = KAKE Promo
This weekend I nearly dropped a cup of coffee when I first heard it. Then I pretended I didn't hear it and that it was a joke. However later in the day, I saw a promo branded something to the effect that KAKE is your station for coping with the crisis. KAKE has always been the station of the 3 with the promos. I often think they are over the top, but if anything they get you to stop and watch or in my case nearly drop my coffee thinking about it. The promo talks about the rough economic times and how KAKE is your station to help the community through these times and make sure you watch KAKE daily for updates on coping with the crisis. Thankfully I am still employed, but if I wasn't and having economic problems I don't think I'd be depending on KAKE to help me cope with my crisis. Sure, when a disaster like a tornado or something hits, stations do promote their coverage, but in an economic one like this I think it may be a little inappropriate.
Abilene Fatal Fire - A tragedy in Abilene took place as a house fire killed three children on Saturday. On Monday the three stations covered the fire. I thought KSN did a nice job of putting a face with the story and talking to the children's grandmother who gave a little insight as to who the children were. I believe reporter Josh Haskell was the only one who talked to the grandparents on camera and gave us some insight. I don't normally see many stories from Haskell on a regular basis, but on the website he is listed as a Salina bureau reporter. He still has a ways to go in his career development, but a good get by Haskell for this story. KAKE, didn't do bad trying to personalize the story without a family member. They went to the family's church and I thought reporter Abby Barnett did a nice job taking what she had and making a decent story out of it. I haven't been a big fan of Abby's in past posts, but between KAKE and KWCH, I thought she did the best. KWCH's two stories on the topic had the church angle and even a next door neighbor, but I thought they really stuck to the basics, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. You definitely knew what happened from the stories, however, with the way it was presented, a viewer could have gotten just as much out of Roger and Cindy reading over some video and a quick interview from a fire official. -Hal
Abilene Fatal Fire - A tragedy in Abilene took place as a house fire killed three children on Saturday. On Monday the three stations covered the fire. I thought KSN did a nice job of putting a face with the story and talking to the children's grandmother who gave a little insight as to who the children were. I believe reporter Josh Haskell was the only one who talked to the grandparents on camera and gave us some insight. I don't normally see many stories from Haskell on a regular basis, but on the website he is listed as a Salina bureau reporter. He still has a ways to go in his career development, but a good get by Haskell for this story. KAKE, didn't do bad trying to personalize the story without a family member. They went to the family's church and I thought reporter Abby Barnett did a nice job taking what she had and making a decent story out of it. I haven't been a big fan of Abby's in past posts, but between KAKE and KWCH, I thought she did the best. KWCH's two stories on the topic had the church angle and even a next door neighbor, but I thought they really stuck to the basics, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. You definitely knew what happened from the stories, however, with the way it was presented, a viewer could have gotten just as much out of Roger and Cindy reading over some video and a quick interview from a fire official. -Hal
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What the Skype is Going On?
I had seen it in recent days on coverage of the capital murder trial of Justin Thurber and wanted to write about it, but had not. Then Today Anon 3:02 of the previous topic wrote about KAKE and KWCH "'Skyping' live shots from Winfield." If you have seen any of the live coverage at 5 and 6, (I would also assume on the 11:30 or Noon shows) the live pictures from outside of the courthouse with the reporters on KWCH and KAKE have a "Skype" logo over them. Its not like the viewer wouldn't notice something is happening to their picture, if the logo wasn't on. The picture looks horrible. Its an absolute joke. I think the picture quality is terrible, however KWCH probably handles it best compared to KAKE. KSN's video with reporter Anthony Powell looked normal so it doesn't appear as if they use the Skype tool.
I think this really shows how the broadcast world is really in a world of hurt and danger when stations lower their broadcast quality in order to save money by using Skype.
From my research Skype was developed as a way for people to use the internet to talk to each other like a phone, however video images are transmitted as well. It wasn't long until TV stations soon saw the possibilities to be able to transmit a live picture as long as there is internet access. The alternative is more costly and often involves using a satellite truck. I am not sure the rates, but apparently stations must buy time to transmit from their trucks and the costs can quickly add up.
As I wrote before, I think using Skype shows how the TV news world is really in a world of hurt and danger when stations lower their broadcast quality in order to save money. Its as if they are willing to air any video quality if it saves money. I assume they are doing this for money saving reasons, because surely it isn't enhancing the on-air look.
Of the local stations using Skype, I must say KWCH has the best look of the two. They do not use the picture to its full size, thus the poor quality of the picture isn't as noticeable. However you can definitely tell its not a regular image, especially when a car passes by. On the other hand KAKE uses the Skype image to the full size of the TV and all the imperfections of the shot are definitely there. (The link online, doesn't show it as bad as it appears on TV). Its really bad when they show the Skype image and the anchors in the studio at the same time. The anchors look fine, while Cayle Thompson's picture looks rough.
Kansas 22 now KSN's and not KAKE's - I think the change over happened several weeks ago when the KSN radar was seen spinning around on Cox Cable's Channel 22. Then last week KSN personalities and stories appeared on the station. Before that KAKE did short versions of the newscasts with weather and sports for several years. KSN does it now. I like the look of the graphics and layout of the screen. I will especially be interested to see how KSN handles days when there is a lot of breaking news. Although I didn't watch KAKE's efforts with the channel very often, I didn't feel they took advantage of it on days when there was breaking news and enough information out there to update the content. I'll be interested to see how KSN handles these days and if they have updates and will they run events live like news conferences on big items and other big events. -Hal
Update 2-7-09 - 11AM: A comment mentioned it and I saw it as well. Like I mentioned above I was interested to see how KSN would handle live news as it happens on 22. I liked what I saw Yesterday when KSN ran the KC Chiefs press conference live on 22. It looked good with graphics and noon fill-in anchor Anne Meyer taking viewers in and and out of the press conference. If they can do similar things, for other situations, it will be a nice service. -Hal
I think this really shows how the broadcast world is really in a world of hurt and danger when stations lower their broadcast quality in order to save money by using Skype.
From my research Skype was developed as a way for people to use the internet to talk to each other like a phone, however video images are transmitted as well. It wasn't long until TV stations soon saw the possibilities to be able to transmit a live picture as long as there is internet access. The alternative is more costly and often involves using a satellite truck. I am not sure the rates, but apparently stations must buy time to transmit from their trucks and the costs can quickly add up.
As I wrote before, I think using Skype shows how the TV news world is really in a world of hurt and danger when stations lower their broadcast quality in order to save money. Its as if they are willing to air any video quality if it saves money. I assume they are doing this for money saving reasons, because surely it isn't enhancing the on-air look.
Of the local stations using Skype, I must say KWCH has the best look of the two. They do not use the picture to its full size, thus the poor quality of the picture isn't as noticeable. However you can definitely tell its not a regular image, especially when a car passes by. On the other hand KAKE uses the Skype image to the full size of the TV and all the imperfections of the shot are definitely there. (The link online, doesn't show it as bad as it appears on TV). Its really bad when they show the Skype image and the anchors in the studio at the same time. The anchors look fine, while Cayle Thompson's picture looks rough.
Kansas 22 now KSN's and not KAKE's - I think the change over happened several weeks ago when the KSN radar was seen spinning around on Cox Cable's Channel 22. Then last week KSN personalities and stories appeared on the station. Before that KAKE did short versions of the newscasts with weather and sports for several years. KSN does it now. I like the look of the graphics and layout of the screen. I will especially be interested to see how KSN handles days when there is a lot of breaking news. Although I didn't watch KAKE's efforts with the channel very often, I didn't feel they took advantage of it on days when there was breaking news and enough information out there to update the content. I'll be interested to see how KSN handles these days and if they have updates and will they run events live like news conferences on big items and other big events. -Hal
Update 2-7-09 - 11AM: A comment mentioned it and I saw it as well. Like I mentioned above I was interested to see how KSN would handle live news as it happens on 22. I liked what I saw Yesterday when KSN ran the KC Chiefs press conference live on 22. It looked good with graphics and noon fill-in anchor Anne Meyer taking viewers in and and out of the press conference. If they can do similar things, for other situations, it will be a nice service. -Hal
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