Changes at KETV
From a press release issued by KETV-Channel 7 Monday afternoon:
“Viewers tuning in to KETV NewsWatch 7 at 10 on Sunday night were greeted by a new Anchor team. Rob McCartney and Brandi Petersen along with Chief Meteorologist Bill Randby and Sports Anchor Matt Schick will now provide more complete coverage to viewers every Sunday night at 10.
“In addition to Anchoring the Sunday 10 p.m. news, Brandi Petersen is joining Julie Cornell as Co-Anchor of KETV NewsWatch 7 at 5 on Monday, January 7. Most recently Brandi was Co-Anchor of KETV NewsWatch 7 First News Weekend. Julie Cornell and Rob McCartney will continue to Co-Anchor KETV NewsWatch 7 and 6 and 10.
“’This change allows KETV to continue to have a strong Anchor team on our 5 p.m. newscast, while freeing up Rob McCartney to do more investigative reporting,’” according to KETV News Director Rose Ann Shannon.
“Rob McCartney will now lead KETV NewsWatch 7’s investigative ‘I-Team.’ Rob has won numerous broadcast journalism awards and adding him to the I-Team allows KETV to highlight one of his strengths. ‘My first love in television is reporting,’ said Rob McCartney. ‘Leading KETV’s I-Team allows me to focus on more stories that impact the heartland.’”
289 comments:
1 – 200 of 289 Newer› Newest»haven't seen two woman do the 5pm news on ketv since carol schrader was there. good luck brandi hope it works GREAT FOR YOU.
I like the move. I think her and Kerri Stowell on Channel 3 are great to watch.
And people, don't read into the Brandi getting a shot at the anchor desk as a sign she will be pushing Julie out. Julie will leave on her own terms when she is ready. My guess, sooner than later. Julie has three kids all approaching school age and my guess is she will want to stay home and let Bill do the heavy lifting.
holy shit, two female co-anchors haven't existed in this market since the early 90s when channel 7 paired Margaret Bumann and Mary Nemmers at the anchor desk for a short while. This is tight. Up in Milwaukee, their Hearst-Argyle affiliate WISN has two female co-anchors on the 10pm show. This will definitely be interesting.
I smell a cat fight.... raaarrrrr, hiss, hiss!
remember carol schader and Julie.......irony at its best....or is it karma ;)
7:15 - you forget that Mary Williams and Loretta Carroll used to tag-team a 5 or 6 o'clock newscast at channel 3 in the mid 90s. I can't remember because, like everyone else, I wasn't watching that channel.
I like Brandi...
And she is more than mildly HAWT.
What happened to Brooke Williams on Traffic to go? I dont know what Im going to do now?? How can I possibly make it to work? When is Andrea Bredow coming back? She's a whole lot easier to look at than Chuckie...
Looks like they are preparing to bring back John Mooney!!
Could Brooke Williams possibly wear more annoying lipstick in the mornings?
So if Rob is going to lead the I-Team, what happened to Carol Kloss? I thought she led the I-Team?
Brooke Williams quit. Her last day was either Dec. 28 or 31. I can't remember. Said she was just going back to just her day job, at a radio station, I think.
One piece of strong evidence Brandi won't be pushing Julie out...Brandi looks nothing like Carol Schrader
I like this "tweaking" of the KETV lineup. I wish they'd update that "newsplex" they have. It's starting to look dated and dingy. And I notice that at least one or two monitors in the background don't work half the time. Now don't get me wrong--they're better than the fake monitors that Channel 6 has on their set, but not by much.
It looks like KETV on Sunday nights won't be as painful to watch anymore. We'll just have to turn it off before the sports. So what is Farrah's "new assignment"?
The changes are refreshing and I don't think they are part of a scheme to get rid of Julie Cornell. I think that management is being proactive instead of reactive and freshening up their line-up.
I agree with the previous post that they need to update their set. Also, they need to see about updating their intros...they've had the same basic one for a few years now. I know that Hearst-Argyle probably has something to do with that, but maybe they can just do a little update on it.
At least they've updated their secondary intro with the talent intros to note the changes.
Oh...one more thing. It will be interesting to see how the weekend morning team does now. Will Todd and Nicole pair well together? Guess we'll soon find out.
Brandi is great. Her biggest obstacle is that she looks so young. Wonder if KETV will give her a more mature makeover so she doesn't look like she's Julie's or Rob's daughter when she sits next to them. (Just don't do to Brandi what Channel 6 did to poor Tracy Madden and dummy her down and make her look matronly so that she would fit in with John, Jim and Dave.)
Love the changes that I've seen so far!
God....Mary Nemmers...what ever happened to that hottie....what great legs.
Where is Bredow....weather does not happen unless Andrea is there to tell me about it.
Julie and Brandi at 5:00. Girl power!
Gotta love that Andrea Bredow. Everytime I see her, she has me singing the song "Weather Girl" by Shiny Toy Guns:
Weather girl where's your forcecast
Send a signal raining fire from the angels
To the eye of the needle
Making moves, making stars
Falling faster than the start of the end of the world
You're a breaking girl
Channel X, Channel Seven, super static television
We're waiting for the first broadcast from you
You'll never go too far
There's no stopping the show
With your pretty pink bow
Where did you go?
At least they could raise up Brandi's chair a bit. She looked like a little kid next to Rob on Sunday night.
Personally, I'd like to see Farrah paired up with Bill Steckis co-anchoring! Think about that!
where is Jana Murrell?
ok, first off where people are:
Jana Murrell quit a long time ago, and was replaced by Brooke Williams, who I believe is on vacation.
Andrea Bredow is in Africa for some sort of missionary trip and will be back next week.
The leader of the I-team was Mike Sigmond, and he also quit.
Also, Roger Schwartz has already put in his notice and will be leaving soon.
and second...go Brandi!
Roger's gone already...he's no longer listed on the website. Brooke is gone, too.
wan't roger on this past weekend?
God. . . I miss a lot of the "old crew" that used to work at channel 7, people like Mary Nemmers, Margaret Bumann, Pamela Jones, Cindy Andrew, Kim Holland, Brad Stephens (KCTV, Kansass City), Mike Jones (OPPD), Tom Elser, Trisha Meuret, Amy McLard, those people were cool! Not to say the current team isn't cool as well. But I miss the good old days!
Not sure why someone hasn't commented about the two "hotties" on Chl 10 and 8 in Lincoln, yummers.
11:06...
Mike Sigmond was not the leader of the I-Team. Carol Kloss was. (I guess Rob is taking over that role now).
Are you sure Jana quit? Last I heard she was finish PT school
Sigmond was definitely not the leader of the I-Team he was the consumer reporter but I am not sure if there was a formal leader before. In larger markets there would be investigative producers in charge I don't know if 7 has them.
Brooke is not on vacation. She quit the Tv thing to work her real job in radio.
Andrea is on vacation in Africa for missionary work. She'll be back next week sometime.
Roger's last day is this weekend. He didn't quit. He was temporary while Chuck McWilliams was serving in Iraq. It was only a one year deal.
Mike Sigmond was the consumer reporter. If you were looking for an i-team leader that would be Kloss. She will still be heavily involved in investigations. Rob becomes the leader since he is the main anchor.
Jana Murrell graduated last May and is off pursuing her career.
Farrah is still anchoring Saturday's and reporting during the week.
I think that clears up all the mis-information given above.
I do miss Pamela Jones on Newswatch 7. I thought she did an awesome job.
You know what I miss? Living in a bigger market where the talent is mature and the reporters last more than a week.
I look at the Brandi Peterson move in one of two ways:
1.) Preparation to take over for Julie Cornell within the next 2-3 years.
2.) Preparation to move to a bigger market in the next 2-3 years.
6:29pm - It's all about the dollars. If stations would pay more money, people would stay a lot longer.
As for maturity, that's a little overstated. You're talking about people looking older? That's very superficial. If they're talented, I'm watching. And KETV has some pretty talented people.
7:06pm - Brandi is from the area. I would bet on the former.
Hey Minge or Sean, how about some news on ratings. KETV destroyed WOWT in the November book. I hear things did not go over well over at 6 with the news.
I've been saying it for years. And now its going to happen. In a short time, Brandi will be crowned Queen Anchor at KETV and Julie Cornell will be handed her hat.
Two days later, Brandi will rip off her Brandi-mask and we will discover that it has actually been Carol Schraeder all along!! Carol will laugh deviously and then do a smooth transition into the next "Wednesdays Child" segment.
Think about it. You never see Carol Schraeder and Brandi Peterson in the same room at once.
@5:43AM - that's some good stuff. Thanks for the laugh! :)
West O:
What information have you heard on the ratings? Just curious. Sean, Jim can you elaborate on this for us out of town viewers...?
I have a friend who works at Channel 6 and they are reeling from the last book. Let's just say that they are not happy over there right now. It seems that Channel 7 lived up to their "Omaha's News Leader" moniker--big time. Here's what I was told:
The November ratings were quite favorable for channel 7, so those changes made by management seem to be proactive rather than reactive (or maybe somebody is leaving in the near future--who knows?).
Anyway, KETV was number one with the coveted adult 25-54 category in every newscast except for the 6am-7am slot, where they came in a close 2nd place under Channel 6, and with the mid-day news where Channel 3 was Number 1 (because they are on at noon with a lead-in from Young and the Restless).
In mid-day slot, Ch. 6 and Ch. 7 tied for 2nd place.
Channel 7 dominated the 5pm, 6pm and 10pm slots, and their relatively new weekend morning "First News" narrowly edged out Channel 6 in audience share, though Channel 6 showed a higher rating point (how does that happen?).
I wasn't able to get any information about KPTM's 4pm newscast, so maybe someone else could shed some light on whether they have made even the slightest dent in the 4pm time slot.
Also, with Channel 3 continuing to tank it, I wonder what the mood is over there?
tv newshound:
Thanks for the update on this. It should be interesting to see what, if any, changes there will be at the Big 6...
As long as they don't put Fubar Fazal in front of a camera or microphone, I'M HAPPY. What happened to Andrea Bredow in the mornings??
She's on a safari in the wilds of Africa.
E. Hemmingway
Maybe the rest of Omaha is finally beginning to tire of WOWT and their old and very tired news. John Kniceley reads the news like he's in a coma. Dave Webber seems to be in it just so he can do all the Husker road games and get drunk with the fans. And Jim Flowers is too busy trying to come up with the next cute graphic to put on the weather map.
And I just laugh out loud anymore when I hear about their new "Six on Your Side" investigations:
"Name-calling on MySpace. We'll talk to one heartland mother who is fed up"
"For Heavens' Sake! We'll talk to one heartland man who is outraged because a church cut down a tree...that was on their own property"
"Noisy neighbors. We'll talk to one heartland couple who moved right next to Dodge Street and now want to complain about the noise"
Seriously...They need to start discriminating on what they think is newsworthy
Mike McKnight is just so tired....as is the rest of WOWT.
Anyone know what happended to Mary Nemmers. I never heard where she went or why she left....she was tasty.
My girl is in Africa? Damn, I hope she gets back soon. Can't stand any of the others.
Matt Perrault is Gay
www.privateeye.com or zabasearch.com
To be perfectly honest; I have switched from WOWT to Channel 7 at 5PM because it is nice to see a station do something different with their anchor lineup. I've been impressed so far and it may just get them a viewer on their other newscasts.
Looks like KETV has a new reporter, Marla Rabe she comes from Sioux City.
Mary Nemmers moved to Oregon and works for a non-profit organization.
Even if she is from the area, I wouldn't count out her moving to a bigger market and using this as a way to prepare her tape of work.
Anonymous @ January 9, 2008 5:43 AM said I've been saying it for years. And now its going to happen. In a short time, Brandi will be crowned Queen Anchor at KETV and Julie Cornell will be handed her hat.
I think some of the folks on this blog and its predecessors are awful fickle.
A few years back, the rage was to complain about "tired, old, haggard 'Queen Pat' Persaud" and wish that up-and-coming Tracy Madden would take her place. Ok, that happened. Now folks are writing that Tracy has become "matronly" and dumbed-down.
Also, Julie Cornell used to be heralded as the fresh new perky face who was so lively compared with 'Queen Pat'. Now folks are writing about Julie what they used to write about Pat -- that she's become a tired old hag.
Jeez, you people. Three years from now, what will you be saying about Brandi? Now that you've annointed her the new Queen, it's virtually guaranteed that you'll be ragging on her down the road!
I think it sounds like Rob is cuting back and maybe Brandi and Julie are going to be the new 1 team.
Regarding Tracy Madden being "matronly" and "dumbed down": I don't think Tracy is naturally matronly or dumb. My point was that she has been made to appear so to fit in with the rest of her team. I think Tracy is attractive, dynamic and intelligent, and she used to exhibit those qualities on the air. I just think that the powers that be at WOWT are somehow having Tracy hold back so that she doesn't outshine the dimwits she sits next to. I still love you, Tracy!
Speaking of matronly.... how about those tata's on Amanda Mueller?
Andrea will be back mid-week from vacation in Africa.
Mary Nemmers actually lives in Denver. I think she has two kids.
I understand KPTM's 4:00 news pulled a 0.2 rating. Not quite the break-out debut the station wanted.
In 3's defense, they made a little gain at 10:00 and are creeping closer to Channel 6. WOWT nose-dived in nearly every newscast except mornings.
Tracy does a great job at 6. The problem is the people around her on the set and the former management team.
"In 3's defense, they made a little gain at 10:00 and are creeping closer to Channel 6."
...or is it Channel 6 is creeping closer to 3 ???
Did Roger Swhhwartz fall on the sacrificial axe? I haven't seen him doing the news...
Let's face it...six is old and tired and limping. KETV is fresh and bold and trying new things and it seems to be working ratings wise. John Knicely needs to be retired ala Gary Kerr. Dave Webber and the entire sports team need a revamp and some new blood and Jim Flowers just needs to retire and hunt and fish.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Coming to a city near you...
Oh Ted Brockman...where art thou now?
Yes, the team at WOWT has grown very old and stale. Its been over ten years. Aren't we due for another mass abduction of KETV folks by the bigwigs at WOWT?
Remember when they did that? They lured Jim Flowers, John Kniceley, Ross Jernstrom, heck even the voice-over guy from KETV and put them on the air at WOWT.
I just hope the city of Omaha is finally realizing that there's more to decent news reporting than a big toothy grin.
Regarding some previous posts...
Roger Schwartz has left KETV. He was only temporary while Chuck McWilliams was in Iraq. He said on air last weekend that he was going to Los Angeles...to do what, we don't know.
As for Julie being compared to "Queen Pat"...there is no comparison. Julie may be seasoned, but she's actually a nice person. That can't be said for the former highness of Channel 6.
As for Channel 3 making a slight improvement in the 10pm ratings: true, but since their change to Action 3 News, their trend has been a slight gain, followed by a slight decline, then a slight gain. The key word is SLIGHT. So, they are consistently in the 3rd spot and, unfortunately, probably always will be. Their only hope is for Channels 6 and 7 to either go dark or to stop presenting local news.
I agree: KETV needs to change that set of theirs. The newsplex is very aged. I have no problem with them keeping the "working newsroom," but they need to update their look. It is looking kinda dingy...especially when you watch on a big screen. Remember, Hearst, you have to spend money to make money. May as well do it while you're at the top and can bring in more ad revenue.
As for Ted Brockman coming back...well, he never really left. There's a little bit of Ted in each of us who posts comments on this blog. We're just a gentler, less venemous version of him (her).
I end this post with a question to those who might be privy to the complete November book: how is KPTM doing with its 4pm newscast? I hope they have made some sort of dent. They try very hard with their limited resources to put together a good product. I just hope their efforts aren't in vain. I don't want the same thing to happen to them that happened to KXVO's 10 o'clock fiasco (not that the two newscasts can be compared).
42 actually puts together a pretty decent newscast. I've been impressed with the professionalism shown on news, weather and sports. These people are doing a bang up job with the budget they have.
Roger has not left yet unless it was his twin on KETV's weather Now
I just read his blog on ketv.com and he said this is final week
Maybe they need five meteorologists at KETV. Think of the pure marketing:
It would be the (deep breath) Super Doppler Seven Storm Team Deluxe.
Or...Even better...The Mega Massive Storm Tracking Severe Weather Omega 9000 Hall of Justice With Doppler Radar and Multi Vector Assault Mode.
And they could come up with some catchy slogan: "If it starts raining, we'll tell you"
KPTM's 4:00 newscast is definitely better than WOWT's 4:00. It looks much more polished and the stories are more in-depth, as opposed to WOWT which relies on the infamous line of "we'll bring you more details" at 5, 6, and 10." Hopefully the ratings will reflect the quality difference over the next few seeps periods.
42 pulled a 0.2 at 4-5 PM.
This is barely above hashmarks. Nobody is appently watching all of the Fox filler packages.
11:39...
I realize Fox is getting poor ratings at 4:00, but what I'm saying is that they deserve better than WOWT.
If you watch closely, KPTM reporters are filing packages for the 4:00. WOWT rarely airs local packages at 4. Their reporters only do live stand-ups or look-lives.
6 "More details on this at 5 PM." So I tune in at 5 PM for more and then I receive: "More details at 6 PM, please tune in." I tune in at 6 PM and it is: "More details at 10 PM, please tune in."
I realize that this is marketing to get you to watch, but man, sometimes I feel like I'm Dorothy in a ramshackle hut floating high above the yellow brick road in a storm that will never end.
42 at four is one fine newscast. Congrats to all involved. I'm watching and I'm spreading the word.
Ha! comments above are interesting to say the least. In WOWT's defense, you all are quick to pick out the negatives and you fail to recognize the positives WOWT has to offer.
For one, they have a very seasoned and experienced news team, I'm not just talking about talent, but producers and news managers who care more about the accuracy and integrity of the product rather than the "KETV -- we'll put it on the air, just to be first" mentality. Channel 7 slaps things together and it shows in the quality of their product.
If you want a newscast filled with rumors, false information, and many inaccuracies, your best bet would be to turn to KETV. But if you want a quality product with integrity, accuracy and good news judgment, Channel 6 is the way to go. WOWT is the gold standard when it comes to ethics and accuracy and it shows in their work.
All four stations do a hell of a job in putting together a fine product. Granted, WOWT needs a lot more energy. Their current team is inviting, not pushy or arrogant. They just need to be more vibrant, and of course do away with the current set.
It's 2008 folks, and I think television stations around the country are trying to keep up with the times. However, you have to factor in the amount of money and time it will take to make such improvements and changes to a TV station.
Changes won't happen overnight and it's silly to believe they will. I enjoy watching all four television stations here in Omaha. Just because KETV makes a few changes and claims dominance in one ratings period does not make them superior in any way. They have their fair share of flaws, many of them!
Let's just hope KETV doesn't make the mistake of sitting back and relaxing in the next book, because I guarantee you, they'll have their asses handed to them.
Thank you, John Knicely.
3:51 PM is clearly a WOWT employee and a delusional one at that. That could be one of the most ridiculous and inaccurate posts in the history of this blog.
Once again, I consulted my friend at Channel 6 and he says that they are well aware of their decline. The ones who actually care feel demoralized by their current state. Part of it is Gray Television's lack of support of the station. Apparently, market #75 doesn't mean as much as some of the bigger market stations. It is also understandable that some animosity towards KETV is being felt, hence the earlier comments. But the fact is that KETV has been taking viewers away from Channel 6 for the past few books. There have been a few fluctuations, but overall, KETV has been improving. This last book was the best they've done in decades. The writer who is sympathetic to Channel 6 is right, though. KETV cannot become complacent or, like WOWT, they will fall from the top spot. This is a fickle market.
My friend at 6 also tells me that his friend over at KETV says that they are definitely not resting on their laurels and that it has become a top priority to stay on top. As for any word on an updated newsplex...there are no immediate plans as it is very costly to change a set and Hearst-Argyle has been spending a lot of money on other stations already. They just built a brand new facility at KMBC in Kansas City, and there are plans to remodel or relocate the KETV studios, but no time frame was given. Let's hope they don't go out west like KMTV did. That was the kiss of ratings death for them.
Look, no one is going to launch a brand new newscast in very many markets and pull in numbers instantly. Plus, these guys are producing two hour-long newscasts, which I can say from experience are a lot harder to produce every day compared to half hour casts.
WOWT is trying to ride on the fumes of their past success and the on air personalities..basically taking the easy way out, and the ratings are starting to show that.
So, this'market leader', KE is the one that reported for most of the day that the missing CB man was found alive, when actually he had killed himself?
Wonder which newscast they watched to finally put the facts into their story?
Guess the viewers aren't quite as smart as we'd like to believe....
yeah that's what I'm talking about! KETV is always wrong. They interview witnesses at the scene and they pass that information off to the public on air as the "official" word. They need to stop doing this!
I can't tell you how many instances where KETV was wrong with the number of people who died or were directly involved in situations. They report rumors, hear-say and speculation, that's why I can't stand their news product. They're very sensational.
No, the reason you can't stand their product is because you work for WOWT. Perhaps you should get back to work and help your team get back on track.
The difference is WOWT will only report what they get from the police press release or PIO. They never do any reporting or interviewing witnesses to get the story they wait for it to be fed to them. This leads to them being late and often not getting the full story or getting the wool pulled over their eyes.
KETV does reporting and gets the story faster on their own. Unfortunately it can mean there are errors but it also means they are not the Police Department's bitch and get stories WOWT does not.
Recently there was a shooting and WOWT and the OWH were reporting 2 people shot because that is what the police told them. KETV was reporting three shot. Even the next day WOWT and OWH were still reporting 2 and it looked like KETV was wrong with the info they got from witnesses. It turned out 2 victims were shot and transported by ambulance after the police arrived. But, a third person had been shot and left the scene before police arrived and was transported by private vehicle to the hospital.
The worst offense by an Omaha TV station in recent history would have to be back in December 2006 when Channel 6's Dave Webber and Ross Jernstrom did their live shot from Kansas City while drunk. This was during the 2006 Big 12 Championship. It was funny, but so wrong! I remember watching it, not believing what I was seeing, then reading about it the next day in Brockman's blog.
The second worst offense goes to Channel 7 for allowing Bill Steckis to do ANY live shot for Channel 7. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he's horrible. He can't ad lib to save his life. He makes Farrah Fazal's live shots look decent.
I'm not writing this to be mean...it's the truth!
Steckis is terrible but when you are looking for a temp reporter in Omaha and willing to pay next to nothing your choices are limited. He is no longer with the station.
A few notes...Ch. 7 covers a LOT more news and I would imagine that there would be a few more mistakes as a result. As for ratings, I was thinking this big swing towards 7 was over hyped, but now that 6 has slipped for several books I'm starting to wonder if the trend might just be real. Check out the ratings on kcci.com and you might get a sense of what Hearst has in mind for this market.
Also note that Hearst hired a new Omaha GM with Dallas market management experience while 6 keeps getting their new bosses from 10-11 Strong.
Steckis was on this past Monday at 5pm attempting another live report. Has he left since then? You're right--they don't pay much for a part-time, temporary reporter.
It'll be interesting to see how Nicole Burlee does this weekend co-anchoring the morning news.
Something I do like about Channel 6 as of late is their new weekend co-anchor. He's much better than the guy who left for Washington and discovered his Hispanic heritage.
Steckis was on KETV Friday morning during their newscast. He's been subbing for Mike'L Severe all week.
Steckis is still at 7. He was hired as a part-time fill-in reporter and he continues to do it at KETV.
Whatever happened to....
Lisa Stites. Haven't seen her in awhile. Which is a shame, because she is nice to look at.
As a previous poster noted; KETV covers so much more local news than WOWT and that is honestly why I have made the switch. I want to know what is happening on the LOCAL news rather than two minutes worth of local news and the rest national news. That's what CNN or Fox News is for. Please...WOWT...focus on local news stories. If you do this, you might win back a few viewers like myself.
I also want to make it abundantly clear before I am attacked by the 6'ers that I do not dislike any of their on air people and did enjoy watching them. However; as they have moved away from local news, I have found myself switching to KETV.
Heard Lisa Stites went to the dark side -- PR! She got a job at Creighton Med Center. Now instead of harassing the victims of shootings and their families for an interview, she'll be running interference for all the other pesky reporters who want interviews. Hah. Karma's a bitch. But hey, it's Omaha, so if it bleeds, it leads!
You heard it here first!! That's right you swines! I made the Ron Burgundy call...and what happened? It spiraled towards bickering and whining back and forth. Scroll back and check it out!! :) You Drive-By Media heads need something else to live for.
@ January 11, 2008 8:05 AM
Ummmm.....what?
I think your delusions of grandeur have gotten the better of you. And, newsflash, buddy; this is a blog ABOUT OMAHA NEWS. If you think this is drivel, then don't read it. Go and read some other blog and quit hating on others. Perhaps it is you that needs something else to live for, other than putting others down.
Brandi Peterson? Meh.
Bring back KMTV Anchor/Pamida Underwear Model/KPTM Anchor Susan O'Rourke!
Heck...bring back Lori Furlong and for the women...bring back Brian Durst.
7:01 AM, if you mean that Ch. 7 covers more local car wrecks, or house fires - you're correct. However, those things affect the lives of very few of the people who watch. They ARE filler however & if that's what you enjoy seeing, great.
If you look for more in-depth stories, I'd wager that you can see those in the same amounts on each of the local affils. Obviously, there will be differences is what's covered with respect to those. But, it's LONG been realized that if it's a crime, or crash, you'll see it on KE. They follow the nationwide Hearst, "if it bleeds - it leads" formula. Apparently, the viewers they attract enjoy seeing those elements each day. It's not a tough formula to follow, if you react to the scanners.
Well I wondered how long it would take the idiot at 6 to get involved in this chain. (9:37 AM and 3:51 PM) They just can't stand it that 7 is now putting a beat down on them in the ratings.
Perhaps it is "if it bleeds it leads" on 7, but on six if it snores and bores it certainly scores.
Deal with it you six apologists. You knew you were not gonna be the ratings kings forever. Times change and people's tastes change; for the better I might add.
So cute to see the aplogists for 7 pulling the "perhaps it is" or "so what if the facts were wrong, there's a lot of news we cover" cards.
Perhaps the dolts who turn on the glowing box get blinded by the graphics, the ACTUAL journalists in town cringe at KE's overall product. Guess 'content follows flash' works for Seven's demos.
Looks like most of the viewers agree with us "KE apologists" doesn't it? What is your rebuttal for that Mr. Original?
We can all write what we want about why one station is better or worse than the other. We may have our own expert theories and rationale on why one station is better than the others. In the end, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks the content of a newscast should be, or who should be presenting the information. It all comes down to the bottom line: ratings and the subsequent ad revenue. The coveted adult 25-54 is where it's at right now, and Channel 7 just happens to have more of that audience watching. We must always remember that the public is stupid, so we have to cater to them. It's sad, but there it is.
My thing is I can't watch people I don't like. I can't watch people that get on my nerves.
Dave Webber's unrequited love for Tom Osborne frankly scares me sometimes.
Jim Flowers' obsession with finding the cutest, most adorable weather graphics to put up on the old Doppler map makes me think his talents might be better served writing children's books.
John Kniceley's inability to handle any dialogue not fed to him on a teleprompter is just plain sad.
Tracy Madden is alright...But she deals with these people and it makes me doubt her sanity
Public is stupid? If it weren't for the public you wouldn't have news to cover, and you wouldn't have viewers. The drive-by media's would be out of a job. Maybe its just that we are smart enough to see through some things, and that perception by some can seem "...stupid."
p.s. I like that term drive-by media.
You know the ONLY people who benefit from ratings???? The sales staff & the general managers. They pull in the bonuses, the rest of the staff: not so much. Other than that "we're No. 1 in females 25-52" means squat to Joe Sixpack viewer.
Omaha has been a two station town with respect to the majority of people who watch local news over the past 20 years & as of today - it still is.
Obviously, 11:28, you DO NOT work in this business. If you did, you'd realize that the vast majority of individuals that the media come into contact with daily aren't the brightest bulbs in the socket.
11:23, you gave your opinions, here are mine.
I also don't watch those I don't like. I don't like Julie Cornell. It looks like her face will crack if she ever attempted a real smile. Virtually no personality there. Her husband, Bill Cornell, comes across as a used car salesman. He NEVER commits to a forecast without saying, "if this happens, then what I just said will be different". Plus you can record one show of his & loop it over and over for the rest of the week as it looks like he mails it in with respect to graphics.
Guess we cancel each other out, huh??
12:06...
I'm no big Julie Cornell fan. But I tell you what, I'd pick her every day of the week over that pathetic John Kniceley.
I happened to see some of the WOWT coverage of the Mall Shooting last month. When all the stations were on for hours and the anchors were forced to wing-it a lot of the time. John Kniceley was so bad it was almost funny. I wanted to start a drinking game where I took a shot every time he said "um" or "uh" or Tracy Madden had to pick up the slack. But then I realized I would be dead from alcohol poisoning in less than a minute.
I like KMTV. Some of their reporters annoy me, but overall I like their product. I hope they beat WOWT!
12:06 get your facts straight it's Bill Ranby not not Cornell
There are some local journalists who really try to put on a good product every day. Personally, I like the KE team, and I think the anchor changes will be a nice change of pace. I think both of them are sincere and I know Rob has the credentials to help keep KE at the top.
KE will probably remain at the top, too, because WOWT has been (and I use those two words as a pun) screaming for changes to be made. The king is dead...long live the king...
its like the posters on this blog have Attention Deficit Disorder. I thought this blog was about the anchor changes, not the ratings game or who's-better-than-who. good thing i'm not like the rest of you and...... hey! it's a birdie!
To anonymous Jan. 10 @ 10:31, I understand that more coverage would seem to mean a likelihood of more mistakes, but the importance of accuracy is taught in Journalism 101. There is no merit in reporting a story if you're going to report it inaccurately. In my opinion, it's better to report it last than to report it inaccurately.
tv newshound @ January 10, 2008 6:32 PM said...
Once again, I consulted my friend at Channel 6 and he says that they are well aware of their decline. The ones who actually care feel demoralized by their current state. Part of it is Gray Television's lack of support of the station. Apparently, market #75 doesn't mean as much as some of the bigger market stations. It is also understandable that some animosity towards KETV is being felt, hence the earlier comments. But the fact is that KETV has been taking viewers away from Channel 6 for the past few books. There have been a few fluctuations, but overall, KETV has been improving. This last book was the best they've done in decades. The writer who is sympathetic to Channel 6 is right, though. KETV cannot become complacent or, like WOWT, they will fall from the top spot. This is a fickle market.
I've been wondering about that myself: Is Gray just sucking what profit it can out of WOWT, with the intent to sell it when the ratings drop off? Isn't that what's happened with KMTV?
Speaking of WOWT's weather graphics, have they made any substantial upgrades under Gray's ownership? While Bill "Mr. Cornell" Randby may come across as a smiling used car salesman, KETV's weather graphics look sharper that WOWT's. Even KPTM's "fly through the weather" view looks sharper than WOWT's.
And did KPTM buy WOWT's old weather graphics? The stylized "Warm", "Cool", etc. words on their graphics sure look like the ones WOWT used to use.
...and there are plans to remodel or relocate the KETV studios, but no time frame was given. Let's hope they don't go out west like KMTV did. That was the kiss of ratings death for them.
For those of us who didn't grow up in Omaha, where were KMTV's downtown studios? When did they move out west?
Oh and it's been a whole week or more since Jim or Sean has posted on Matt Perrault. What is the matter guys? Where's the love????
Matt's mom is upset.
Matt is irrelevant. Nobody listens. Nobody cares.
Is Chicken Little still the weather buffoon at WOWT (you know, the three different forecasts in one day so he's always right former KETV buffoon)?
well, we've beaten this dead horse to a pulp with 117 comments. Time for some fresh meat. Chop Chop, Jim and Sean.
I judge the success of TV stations/newsrooms on where their talent ultimately ends up; if they chose to move on. From KETV Boyd Huppert eventually graduated to KARE 11--one of the most successful, dominant stations in the country thanks to outstanding storytelling & photography. Jill Cordes went network from KETV. And in Chicago, two recent alums are reporting at CBS & FOX. Perhaps I'm not aware of any former reporters/anchor from WOWT who have reached those levels. In addition, KETV's ex-employees have been the ingredients for WOWT's ratings wins. Thus, KETV's is clearly putting better reporters & anchors out into the world. Hence, my votes goes to KETV for Best Station.
haven't seen this many comments since deb and greg were fired from kmtv.
If you follow THAT logic, 3:08, Johnny Carson "graduated" to the Tonight Show for nearly 30 years from WOWT.
4:49 -- OK, who else from WOWT has gone on to bigger and better things?
Anybody?
Anybody???
ANYBODY????
Yeah, I didn't think so...LOL.
Quality ALWAYS trumps quantity.....kinda like WOWT vs.KE content-wise!
Oh goodness, you all sound like a wussy debating society. Let's face it, she's hot, she's not. Cut to the chase you purists.
4:57 - Courtney Gerrish moved onto Milwaukee. Brian Neu moved onto San Antonio. Both are top 40 markets. Both are bigger and better than WOWT.
I would think that leaving WOWT for ANY job would equate to bigger and better things.
Courtney Gerrish was clearly too good and too hot for the Omaha market.
You Courtny people...Guess what...? She's back in Omaha at KM3rd. Guess she really moved on to a much larger market. Har, har, har. Of course, no one one would know that she is back because no one watches channel 3rd.
Oh...and she is back as a lowly reporter. I just happened to see her covering an Omaha story for 3 the other night and she was also at the Omaha Children's Museum doing an interview with one of the staffers.
3:08....Jill Cordes went Network? The FOOD Network. And that really lasted a long time, didn't it? She was just another loser anchor from the cesspool called Omaha news. NONE of the stations in this community are anything more than small market dumping grounds for people can't make it anywhere else. The few that get out and stay out caught a break. The rest....enough said.
The haters here are pretty ridiculous.
Courtny's NOT back in Omaha. She works for Journal's station in Milwaukee and came back to Omaha for a couple of days to help out KMTV just after the Westroads shooting.
She's very talented and is doing very well at a significantly larger market.
Don't know who thought she was interviewing someone at the Children's museum.. that's just incorrect.
Some of the attacks on here are just amazing.. at least be partially informed before you start lobbing bombs.
Courtny Gerrish, Pamela Jones, Lisa Volanec, Sarah Simmons and Sarah Walters...just a few names of my favorite former local talent who went on to bigger and better markets in recent years (although some may have since left those markets). And whatever happened to Trey Jones, Megan Dardanell, and Patrick Powell? They were some of Channel 6's finer talent. Trey and Megan actually had a very watchable weekend morning show.
Tom Brokaw worked at KMTV for 3 years in the 60's. Does that them the best?
I thought Carol Kloss was KE's lead "investigative reporter"? Is her being replaced a case of age discrimination? James Martin Davis on line 1......
Carol's still going to be there. Rob's most likely cutting back or he wanted a change of pace plus he does the crime stoppers reports.
It's obvious that they don't believe that their weekend crew could do the job for them so they switch personnel around to compensate. From what I've been told by people in the building, the weekend morale is waaaay down.
And the "talent" seems to be too lazy to come in & do the first Sunday show. I guess bringing in Rob & Bill to read other's work at 10 is just what the doctor ordered for Channel 7. Hope they still get paid for 8 hours for the 1 or 2 they'll actually put in Sundays!
Who do you talk to, the cleaning crew? Why wouldn't the weekend news crew love more help brought in to help improve on the HUGE ratings numbers that were already being put up. Rob and Bill are nice tall fellas, and not lazy...they do a ton of public appearances on top of all the exta time they put in on severe weather or big breaking news situations. You can be sure that the 40 hour a week folks know this and appreciate their effort.
I don't blame them for trying to switch things around. That Fazal/Campbell/Schick combo was positively awful!
To answer earlier questions...KMTV studios were at 2615 Farnam, one block due south of KETV. It is now part of Barnhart Press.
The move west occurred in January 1979
Why aren't you people talking about me?
Sincerely,
The Perrault
Yes 9:42 AM Courtny was at the Omaha Children's Museum doing an interview for KM3rd...I have that information on first hand experience. I believe you should get your facts straight before you start lobbing bombs. Idiot.
Boy we really have completely fallen off the topic, haven't we? I'll start anew by saying something positive about KE and WOWT both.
Guys, I like both stations and it depends on what is on one at the top whether I watch or not. KE has a great weekend crew on Sunday nights, but that is not to say that WOWT doesn't as well. Jaime McCutcheon is also very talented and I enjoy watching her as well. Again; it comes down the the stories that they run whether I watch or not. If I feel that KE is running something of interest to me I watch them; if it is WOWT, I watch them. Both s tations have their merits and we are truly lucky to have a choice of great stations in Omaha.
8:23AM...If you think seeing Courtney "the other night" on KMTV means seeing her December 7th,then I'd really hate to think what your definition of "last week" is. Courtney was here to help the station during the Westroads shooting and that's it. Jeez people.
I liked that idea of Farah and Bill Steckis co-anchoring the news!!
this change also reminds me when carol schrader and michael scott and john mooney all handled seperate news cast. it is not always the same old same old.
When's Matt Schick's internship over?
Not related to the other two posters that spoke of seeing Gerish, but I also saw her on Channel Three in Omaha less than two weeks ago.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/about/people/anchors/5111371.html
She's still at wtmj. This is the link to her profile on their website.
WTMJ and KMTV are both Journal Broadcast Group stations, so she has to do some reporting for little sister in Omaha sometimes.
Courtny is NOT back in Omaha. She does reports for 3 because it's her sister station. She's at TMJ-4 in Milwaukee. She's listed on their website and not on KMTV's.
why did KM3 need help during the Westroads coverage? did the other stations need help?
Did the other stations need help? Yes.
Did they ask for it, or get it? Nope.
Matt Perrault is Still Gay
Uh oh. The Perrault got an email and just told people to stop listening if they don't like it. He says, in his best Hillary Clinton cry, that this is only a sports show, not a politics show.
Maybe, The Perrault, you can stop being an arrogant ass and calling people stupid and maybe, just maybe, people won't bag on you so much you.
Quit being a punk and maybe you'll get some respect.
how about them huskers...
Who's gay on Channel Seven, I wonder?
Is that one guy gay?
Quote: "Uh oh. The Perrault got an email and just told people to stop listening if they don't like it."
If only Perrault could get people to START listening.........
KM Alum said @ January 14, 2008 6:11 AM...
To answer earlier questions...KMTV studios were at 2615 Farnam, one block due south of KETV. It is now part of Barnhart Press.
The move west occurred in January 1979
Isn't 2615 Farnam the parking lot across the street from Kountze Church? Or was KMTV in the building next to the tower on Harney St?
Bringing Courtney Gerrish in was a good idea...why not help each other within a company, especially in a crisis. Shooting an exclusive interview by Good Morning America off a tv screen and re-airing it as your own was not a good idea however.
Anonymous 10:09AM -
Didn't he win an Emmy?
To everyone else-
Man, people sure do love to talk about themselves and trash the competition. No wonder the local news has been boring for the last couple of days... all of the reporters and producers are spending their time posting on this blog.
People are so concerned about what other "anonymous" people say about them... why? Isn't anyone confident enough in the job he/she is doing to just ignore this garbage?
Let it get to you, and it will kill you.
158 comments and counting...
wow.
2615 Farnam is the white building with rust trim located across from Kountze.
a horse walks into a bar....
.....bartender says "why the long face?"
10:29 Thanks for the info on Courtny. Some of us that are not the TV business see her on 3 and we automatically think that she is back in Omaha.
Is this true?
I read that in order to beef ratings, John Kniceley was going to be poisoned while on air during February sweeps. Introducing an intriguing whodunit storyline that would culminate in the assailant being revealed in May?
Hey bloggers...why don't you offer some cities that actually have perfect newscasts since you all seem so well informed on what makes good news? Perhaps if you could actually offer some examples rather than b****ing about what's wrong with the state of affairs in Omaha, there might be some changes. As it is, I can guarantee you that none of you could do a better job than any of these people on any of these four stations.
Signed,
An on air employee
I like that attitude.
So we're basically saying "Its okay if we suck because everybody else sucks, too. So we need not try to improve our newscast"
If only I could get my boss to sign off on that attitude, I would only have to work half as hard.
Signed,
A non-newstation employee
Yawn... Zzzzzz....
People, this biz is turn and burn nowadays. Reporters probably get a couple hours to track down a story and become familiar with a topic. There seldom is digging. Its a miracle stories make air half the time. Stations are so thin with employees, reporters don't get time to line all their ducks in a row.
Give the news biz a break.
about time for another topic, Jim or Sean.
Perrault is STILL in Omaha????
They don't deserve a break, they are like vultures preying on the unfortunate people and bad news.
If Matt Perrault goes on air to tell people "they dont have to listen if they dont like it" and nobody is listening.....
does it matter
If Matt Perrault goes on air to tell people "they dont have to listen if they dont like it" and nobody is listening.....
does it matter
if a tree farts in the forest and no one is there to smell it, who's to say it doesn't happen?
if a tree farts in the forest and no one is there to smell it, who's to say it doesn't happen?
Here we go...The Perrault says, yesterday, that this isn't a political show....so, what does he do? He starts bitching about the ballpark issue and says people should bend over and accept any and all taxes for building it. Not a political show? Yeah, whatever you tool.
I love idiots who make $6 and live in a small apartment and say "suck it up, deal with the taxes and do whatever you need to do." Funny how those with no money (i.e. those with crappy radio shows) like to tell those WITH good jobs how to spend their money.
Why all the Perrault hate?
Seriousily, does anyone know his exact number and how that compares to 1620. I am very curious.
hey- An on air employee
January 15, 2008 8:08 AM....
Phoenix has pretty good news.. ABC 15 www.abc15.com is a start.. but i like the independent channel better.. CH 3 www.AZFamily.com
If Perrault were in a forest and a tree fell on him, how long would his show run before someone noticed it was just dead air?
I know the number in the afternoon between 1620 and 590. #1 vs. #9 or #10 depending on the male demo you are looking at!
Why don't you all grow up, quit reading comic books and move out of your mother's basement? Get a life for god's sake.
Signed,
A station employee
@ 11:23 AM
what do you have against my mother?
Station employee,
Thanks for taking time to read all the entries.
Station employee: I too would spend my time reading about how crappy the productions are in Omaha if I worked for one of these stations.
Well if you all are so certain that YOU can do a better job...why don't YOU apply to be an anchor or a reporter? I'm so certain that all you journalistic pygmies would do such a better job than those of us that are already on television and we would certainly have nothing to criticize you for. Yeah right. Get a life losers. Shut the computer down and go play your Dungeons and Dragons games, daddy has a newscast to do.
Station Employee
Ah, yes, Station Employee, we've been expecting you at our fine restaurant.
Yes. I do see you have a reservation.
Bitter, party of one.
How's this for a revamped KETV news team: Anchors Brandy Peterson and Skyyler Vodka, Chief Meteorologist Jim Beam, and Sports Director Johnnie "Rodgers" Walker?
Hmmm... I think I need a drink...
Unfortunately it is not me that is bitter 1:32 PM. I think that is something that is reserved for you, as the majority of people on this blog apparently think they can do a better job than the talent that is on each of the four stations presently. Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and apply when there is an opening. I'd like to see just how much you would IMPROVE the product. C'mon, put your money where your mouth is or shut the hell up.
Station Employee
Okay Station Employee. Put your money where YOUR mouth is. Next time there is an opening, go ahead and post it here. We'll all apply.
(insert sounds of crickets chirping)
You know what's funny? TV station employees talking about journalism.
So...did Jim and Sean die?
Dear Station Employee,
The fact that you are the assistant janitor at whatever station you work at does NOT make you any more qualified to discuss journalism as it does for John Knicely to tell you how to mop the floor.
Now get back to work before Carlo and Carol slip and fall on their fannies...
Station Management
The old "you couldn't do any better" chestnut is always amusing.
I don't have to be a mechanic to know my car's broken. I don't have to be a chef to tell if my food tastes bad.
Exactly, 6:31. Apparently, when someone close dies of a botched surgery, I can't complain because I can't crack open someone's chest and do it myself.
Essentially, it is a CLEAR sign that someone knows their product sucks and wants us to just accept it when they resort to the "you can't do better" card.
....reason i don't work in Omaha TV.. cause the Pay sucks! tell managment to pay more and I would apply and improve the product with some common sence!
- former TV personality
I didn't say you couldn't do better. Hell, you couldn't even come close to doing as well as these hardworking men and women do. And to the other poster, as soon as a position opens up, I will post it. Put your money where your mouth is. Apply. I'd really like to see how you would do. Again; it's always easy to criticize when you have very little idea of what it takes to make a newscast.
Now go on little minds. Return to your holes of negativity. No one really cares what you think anyway.
Station Employee
7:42 AM:
Perhaps you are not in television anymore not because of the pay, but for the fact that you cannot spell. Sence = Sense.
But you are correct; they do not pay well at all and that is why we have the talentless hacks that we have.
Signed:
Not a station employee
Omaha TV is bland, boring and generic. It's far to formula. I blame this on consultants, though. In truth; consultants are what have ruined the on air product. Is Omaha the worst? No. But it is far from the best that it could be, whether people like Station employee wish to admit it or not. As a long time viewer, I believe that I am qualified to make that statement, as are any of the folks on here.
Station Employee needs to be reminded that anyone that watches regulary is an expert and were it not for us, doubtless, he would be without a job.
Wow, Suzanne, De...er, I mean station employee..... the bitterness lingers, doesn't it?
'Nuff said, Suzanne.
To Station Employee:
You appear to be in dire need of a vacation or a career change.
Over the past twenty years or so, WOWT and KETV have managed to keep their casts at least looking like an they are in an appropriate evolution. News is kinda, sorta still the reason for the shows, although promotion has cut into the news hole, we're seeing copromotion "news stories" featuring sponsors on the rise, and commercial breaks are longer and longer. KMTV has gone over to the dark side, shamelessly aping Fox and unable to read a sentence of copy without some self-promotion.
Local news has always had issues; low pay (unless you are an anchor, GM, or sales manager), lack of depth, and lousy hours. This blog is an expression of how news is getting worse. Corporate squeezing of every dime puts the squeeze on everyone--putting together a newscast is tough, try doing it with fewer and fewer resources and more corporate mandates. We deserve better, the people working at local stations deserve better. Give station employee a vacation...or better yet, career counseling. He/she will be happier.
Post a Comment