The State Of Local News: Part Two

Here is part two of a three part series on how I see the state of local news in Spokane. Today's subject is KXLY 4 HD News.

For the first time in a long time. Things seem stable and quiet at the last place newsroom on Boone Avenue. Dave Erickson has settled in as co-anchor of the 5pm, 6 and 6:30pm newscasts. Robyn Nance has always been a strong anchor. First as morning and noon anchor at KREM 2 and now as primary evening anchor on channel 4. Kris Crocker is one of the best forecasters in the market. One of the chinks in KXLY's armor would be moving Dennis Patchin to the radio and hiring Derek Deis as sports director. I would have never moved one of the most recognized personalities on Spokane TV to the radio. Dennis was doing an excellent job as sports director and lead anchor, there was no need for change. The old saying "If it isn't broke, don't fix it" motto is perfect for this situation. I have nothing against Derek Deis. He is a capable sports anchor and reporter. If I were going to move Dennis, which I wouldn't do. I would have went after former KREM 2 sports director and voice of the Gonzaga Mens Basketball team Tom Hudson before I would have went for Deis. Good Morning Northwest keeps moving along. Last book "GMNW" was fighting for second place. Kalae, Mike, Mark and Colleen are all great in their respective positions. Tori, Ben and Jared are good on weekends. KXLY is also in need of a bit of a facelift. The newsroom set is looking a bit haggard and the weather center is very outdated. Channel 4 has been using virtual sets, but they look odd. I don't know if its the program or the green screen behind that make the edges look rough. A shiny new set with some modern graphics would look great in High Definition.

Could the quiet and calm be coming to an end at KXLY? Rumors are that Nadine Woodward will join KXLY in some capacity. First rumors had the former KREM anchor moving to "NewsRadio920" as morning co-anchor along side Bud Nameck. Now the rumors are turning to Nadine taking Robyn Nance's position as evening anchor on TV and Robyn moving to the morning shift on AM radio. If KXLY were to hire Ms. Woodward, the best place for her would be on television. Channel 4 has been last in the ratings for many years now, nothing seems to move the ratings needle. Being first in HD news didn't help the ratings. If anything or anyone has the power to bring up ratings for KXLY 4 HD News it is Nadine Woodward. If I were Jerry Post or Steve Herling, I'd be talking to Nadine and doing what they can to bring her on board as evening co-anchor. I have nothing against Robyn Nance. She is a great anchor and reporter.  But, Robyn and Richard Brown didn't bring ratings. Robyn and Dave Erickson have not moved the ratings. Robyn has had 7 years to make a ratings difference and sadly that has not happened. Nadine becoming available gives channel 4 it's best chance in years to become a real competitor in the evening local news race. By the end of February we should have a better idea of where Nadine will land. And if she lands at KXLY, what position will she fill?

What do you think?

KXLY's Website

The State of Local News: Part One

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

The NBC Late Night Disaster Continues

How much longer do we have to wait for NBC to confirm what we all know. That Conan O'Brien is leaving "The Tonight Show" and NBC. Since NBC Entertainment announced on January 10th that they were canceling "The Jay Leno Show" it's been drama daily. On Monday the 11th it was announced that NBC executives wanted to move Jay to 11:35pm for a half hour with Conan to follow at 12:05am. On the 12th Conan said he would not be pushed back to the later start time. Here we sit on day 11 of this saga, still no departure announcement for Conan from NBC. Published reports say that this Friday the 22nd will be Conan's last day as host of the 56 year old NBC late night show.

What do you think? Who got the shaft? Was Conan to blame, or Jay? Should NBC have given Conan more time to build an audience? Where will Conan end up? 

Jane McCarthy Joins KREM 2 News

Tonight at 5pm, Jane McCarthy made her debut as co-anchor of KREM 2 News at 5 and 6pm. Jane succeeds Nadine Woodward who spent 19 years on channel 2. According to Ms. McCarthy's bio she will only anchor at 5 and 6pm? Why wouldn't she anchor the 10 and 11pm newscasts? What are your first impressions of Ms. McCarthy? The link to Jane McCarthy's KREM bio is below.

Jane McCarthy's KREM Bio Page