A critical look at the Wichita TV news

Friday, September 11, 2009

Is Alan Shope Gone From KAKE?

Comments in recent days to this blog talked about a "secret" meeting at KAKE. Still not sure what that was about, however a reader alerted me to the fact that Alan Shope no longer is on the KAKE website as part of the sports team. Hmmmm. It is certainly an interesting time to make a change with the start of football and that is usually the busiest part of the year for the local stations. -Hal

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it is true it's a sad thing to see happen, to anyone in todays world and economy.

Anonymous said...

that didn't take long. heard they're making jared cerulo a full-time reporter too.

Anonymous said...

So who will share about this "secret" meeting? I heard it was a good thing for KAKE, but that's it... but if it's so good why such a secret?

Anonymous said...

It's horrible timing, I really just feel bad for Chris Frye getting thrown into a massive fire as sports really starts getting ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Shope made that sports department entertaining. Much better than the boring mess you'll muddle through on 12 and 3. Best of luck to him if Shope is in fact gone.

Anonymous said...

Makes you wonder how in the world KAKE will be able to compete against KSN and KWCH considering it's the busiest time of the year in sports

Anonymous said...

You don't need an anchor to compete in football season, you need photographers. I don't work at KAKE, but I'm sure they'll manage just fine.

Anonymous said...

Simple... they won't compete. KWCH dominates local sports so much already.

Think about it. Three full-time on-air people. Add to that the Catch It Kansas staff and you're talking roughly a dozen people. KSN has half that.

I didn't think KAKE could cut anymore than it already has but alas I was wrong.

Anonymous said...

Did KAKE expand the 11:30 newscast? Why? From what I can see, all it does is direct people to the internet. Which is the way things are going, but do you need an extra half hour to promote your web channel?

Anonymous said...

Oh, there's the arrogant KWCH troll that everybody has missed lately. :-) Catch it Kansas staff? Yeah, those college interns that are absolutely dreadful to watch? That staff?

Anonymous said...

Hello Wichita news friends. My buddy from KC called me today about this.

It's Alan Shope, thanks for the kind words.

It was simply a contract issue that could not be worked out. KAKE is a great place to work with great people who work really hard. Chris Frye and the crew will do a great job with sports this fall. I will still have ties to the station through the end of October.

Thanks for all your support the last 9 years.

Shope

Anonymous said...

The only people on-air for Catch It Kansas are the 3 Wichita-based sports staff and the 3 employees in Salina, Hays and Dodge. That's already double KSN's entire sports department. There are still others what work behind the scenes.

BTW: There's no such thing as a web channel. It doesn't exist. It's a website. A web channel is a dumb marketing term cooked up by parent co. Gray.

Anonymous said...

Frankly it is a welcome change! Chris Frye will do great. I have been enjoying his work for some time and hoping to see him featured more. And no, I'm not related to Chris Frye!

Anonymous said...

After 12 led with the school that won't allow hoodies, is the HEAP OF TRASH going to be on HOODIE PATROL NOW!

Anonymous said...

KAKE has been pathetic on sports. Jason Duda anchoring? Wow, no one thought that through. And KWCH may have the most interns around the state, but that doesn't mean they're any good. While KSN's sports staff isn't the largest, it's clearly the smartest.

Anonymous said...

"Secret" meeting? Really? Ever heard of an occasional staff meeting? Get real.

Anonymous said...

Jason Duda is better than some of the hacks KWCH and KSN throw out there for sports. Some of which probably wouldn't even be anywhere near this size of market if they didn't know someone. At least Jason is entertaining. He'd probably be the first to tell you he shouldn't be anchoring, but at least he has fun with it. I got just as much info and more laughs from him the last few nights than I've ever gotten from the other 2 stations. Honestly, it was a nice change of pace.

Anonymous said...

Do we really want to talk about lead story selection? How about KAKE leading Sunday night with a 'wild goose chase' in Sedgwick Co. Park?

Anonymous said...

Right.. keep telling yourself that 12:47

Anonymous said...

Anon 1247,
Sounds like you are drawing a paycheck from the West side. Just look at KSN this weekend. Who pops up at reporting from a Chiefs game, but former KSN sports anchor Leon Liebl. Don't know what he is doing now for KSN, but what a great move even if they are just using him for KC Chiefs stuff. Does anyone know? With Kobbe and Liebl thats a pretty good group. Although I never have been a fan of 3rd string (now I guess 2nd string)anchor Casey Walkup, he has improved from where he started. He used to sweat profusely anytime he was live. Say what you want about him, he has improved. I still wouldn't make him a main anchor over at desperate KAKE, but he is just as good as the Motley crew KAKE has assembled over there now.

Anonymous said...

Was that Merrill sitting in the second string chair behind Ross tonight? Interesting. Merrill did Fox, too, while Ross did KWCH at 6 and 10. I'd say something is up. (Merrill, you might want to get your pants cleaned. I think Ross's dog was in that chair over the weekend.)

Anonymous said...

Hey Hal--take a look at this article in the Eagle. I don't think you've linked it yet.

http://blogs.kansas.com/haveyouheard/2009/09/16/sports-director-alan-shope-leaves-kake-channel-10-over-contract-dispute/

Anonymous said...

Leibl is a great addition to KSN, not only a great reporter but a great guy as well. The only thing is, until this becomes a metered market, sports won't truly matter.

Anonymous said...

KAKE's sports team has been weak for a long time. KWCH & KSN have been going strong for awhile.

Shope was loud and annoying and their Overtime Live looks like a college produced show. Abby Lippold is alright to look at... but that show has some serious issues.

I wish KSN would do something like it...if only the money was there to do it!!!

Anonymous said...

Or it could be that schedules are different at KWCH now that Anya is gone and they have 4 instead of 5. Just a thought...

Anonymous said...

I don't get this. Shope left over a "contract dispute" but seems to say it didn't have to do with money. Something doesn't add up here. You don't just up and leave a job WITHOUT a new job in THIS economy. West Street--whats the real story here??

Anonymous said...

Why do you care and what makes you think the people at KAKE know? People leave stations all the time for many different reasons. Quit trying to find every little last thing to bash another station about. Good luck to Alan.

Anonymous said...

I'm not bashing any station. Just wondering whats going on. Is Gray looking to save more money again? And what are the ramifications for other Talent when their Contracts come due. Have any come due recently--or soon? Just wondering. I know the Job Market is not good right now. Hopefully it will get better.

Anonymous said...

I liked Alan Shope, I think the station will miss him. I wish him the best. I will be praying for him wherever he goes.

Anonymous said...

Who handled the weekend duties before Chris? He wasn't there very long, but he was good.