This is the first of three observations I will offer. This is my personal view of the state of local news in Spokane. This is how I see each of the three news outlets in the Lilac City. So, here is what I see.
First, KREM 2 News.
KREM 2 News is in a time of transition. Lets go back to 2007. Charles Rowe retired in November after 20 years in the anchor chair. Move forward to September 2009. Nadine Woodward is let go after 19 years over a contract dispute. Flash forward to September 2011. KREM will lose "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as the lead in to the 5pm newscast. But, channel 2's problems run deeper. From multiple sources, it's been said that news director Noah Cooper is a tyrant and general manager Jamie Aitken is no better. In some of those same reports it's being said that Randy Shaw will retire at the end of his current contract. KREM weekend anchor Abbey Gibb doesn't belong at the anchor desk. Abbey is a good reporter, but not anchor material. John Langer should be anchoring channel 2's weekend newscasts. The deuce has two things going for it. First is Tom Sherry. As long as Tom works at channel 2, viewers will tune in to get their forcast from the regions most popular chief meteorologist. And the last bright spot. KREM 2 News First Edition. Finally KREM has a morning team that is watchable. A team that works well together and it comes across to the viewers. Sten, Laura, Grace and Jason are doing a great job.
Then there is the new 5 and 6pm co-anchor Jane McCarthy. As of this post, Jane has been on the air 4 days. I find it odd that KREM would move Jane from it's sister station KING 5 in Seattle, to Spokane to only anchor two newscasts. Nadine anchored 2 hours an evening, Jane anchors 1 hour nightly. My thought was maybe Jane would be utilized as a lead reporter for the 10 and 11pm newscasts. As of last Fridays 11pm newscast, Jane had not appeared on the later newscasts. First impressions of Jane have been positive, but it will take time for viewers to really warm to a new anchor. The February book will give us a first look at what viewers think of channel 2's new evening anchor team.
Now the minutiae. KREM's sets, all graphics, music and KREM's look in general is stale and dated. That said, KREM's viewer base is older. Older viewers don't like change, even the smallest of changes. Most viewers don't really notice sets and graphics. On the other hand, KREM needs to look modern to remain competitive with it's rivals for ratings. KREM needs a face-lift, desperately. Will KREM ever move to HD newscasts?
Finally the biggest question. Where and when will Nadine Woodward reappear? The latest rumor is that Nadine will join KXLY NewsRadio 920AM as a morning news anchor. I guess only time will tell?
Well there you go, for what it's worth. What do you think? I'd like to hear from some of you.
KREM 2's Website
No comments:
Post a Comment