OK, let's start an Alaska thread!

[seatownmedia]

Since nobody has offered anything here, I will take a shot.

Alaska has a unique tv history. In the early years of statehood, most programming came from filmed or videotaped broadcasts that were actually flown in from Seattle. Even into the 70's, when cable started to influence Alaska, a lot of the programming was still coming from Seattle, and then slowly, nationwide early cable like ESPN and HBO became available. Question: Did Seattle tv news ever become a part of cable in Alaska? The reason I ask is many Seattle stations offered Anchorage/Fairbanks weather, (briefly), on their news in the 70's and early 80's.

When I lived in Anchorage in the mid-90's, the cable system had come up to speed and offered most of the usual cable channels, and by then the local affiliates had well established newscasts.

Today, Anchorage operates like most lower 48 markets, and Fairbanks should be included in this. Who is doing the best from a local news standpoint? 20 years ago it was KTUU, but I know the competition has been getting better.

Tell us who is the best as a local leader, not only in news, but all around community service.

 

[seatownmedia]

Since nobody has offered anything here, I will take a shot.

Alaska has a unique tv history. In the early years of statehood, most programming came from filmed or videotaped broadcasts that were actually flown in from Seattle. Even into the 70's, when cable started to influence Alaska, a lot of the programming was still coming from Seattle, and then slowly, nationwide early cable like ESPN and HBO became available. Question: Did Seattle tv news ever become a part of cable in Alaska? The reason I ask is many Seattle stations offered Anchorage/Fairbanks weather, (briefly), on their news in the 70's and early 80's.

When I lived in Anchorage in the mid-90's, the cable system had come up to speed and offered most of the usual cable channels, and by then the local affiliates had well established newscasts.

Today, Anchorage operates like most lower 48 markets, and Fairbanks should be included in this. Who is doing the best from a local news standpoint? 20 years ago it was KTUU, but I know the competition has been getting better.

Tell us who is the best as a local leader, not only in news, but all around community service.

Crickets here. But perhaps a bump will help. Alaska has become an important media market...KTVA really upgraded last year. KTUU was the leader for many years. The ABC affiliate seems to be behind, unless someone can correct me.

 

[davideduardo]

Alaska has become an important media market...

Please explain how Alaska has become an important media market.

The entire state has a population that is a couple of hundred thousand less than that of the Tucson, AZ, MSA. That's not intended to demean either market but it does give some perspective in understanding why you may have heard the crickets.

One question: how do TV stations in Anchorage and Fairbanks deal with the time zone differences? Do they delay most everything from the networks, or do the run some things real time?

 

[seatownmedia]

David, I believe Anchorage and Fairbanks run the west coast network feed in real time. Because the Alaska Time Zone is just an hour earlier, that puts primetime 7-10pm, with late local news at 10.

As for Alaska becoming an "important" media market, perhaps "important" is the wrong word. I was referring to how both KTVA and KTUU have upgraded their operations in recent years. Alaska itself does tend to generate more news than a market like Tucson, but I see your point.

 

[KML0224]

Does Anchorage have affiliates for CW, MY and ION? Also, is their market defined by counties? I think they have what's called Census divisions? I've never been to Alaska, so I'm not sure.

 

[davideduardo]

Does Anchorage have affiliates for CW, MY and ION? Also, is their market defined by counties? I think they have what's called Census divisions? I've never been to Alaska, so I'm not sure.

The Anchorage TV market is the Anchorage Municipality and the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs.

Fairbanks is the Denali Borough, the Fairbanks North Star Boro0ugh and the Southeast Fairbanks Census division.

 

[seatownmedia]

The Anchorage TV market is the Anchorage Municipality and the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs.

Fairbanks is the Denali Borough, the Fairbanks North Star Boro0ugh and the Southeast Fairbanks Census division.

The term, "Borough" is used in just six states...Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Alaska.

In Alaska, the term is equivalent to "county".

 

[KML0224]

And the only borough I'm aware of in Connecticut is Groton, across from New London on the Thames River (southeastern CT). However, when you draw up a map of CT's 169 municipalities, you won't see Groton town and city separate on it.

https://goo.gl/maps/rhg8Ug3JW7F2

 

[seatownmedia]

And the only borough I'm aware of in Connecticut is Groton, across from New London on the Thames River (southeastern CT). However, when you draw up a map of CT's 169 municipalities, you won't see Groton town and city separate on it.

https://goo.gl/maps/rhg8Ug3JW7F2

OK, we have established the borough situation in Alaska, but now back to the topic. Who in Alaska does the best in local tv? Again, in the 90's it was all KTUU, but KTVA has improved in the past couple years, and I'm not sure about the ABC affiliate (KYUR-Channel 13). When I lived in Anchorage in the 90's, the ABC fed both Anchorage and Fairbanks. Has that changed?

 

[Poledo]

Please explain how Alaska has become an important media market.

Alaska has two senators, just like every other state, but it has very few voters. If all voters in Alaska are getting their news from a small handful of news outlets... They might vote for Sarah Palin.

 

[johnnya2k6]

For as long as I can remember, primetime in Fairbanks has always been 8-11 pm.

But you are all right about KTVA; its current ownership (and the fact that they've got John Tracy, who helped KTUU become #1 for decades) as well as CBS still the top network have made them a serious competitor once again. They, KTUU, and KYUR all have local news in HD, since Anchorage is the larger TV market at #148.

KYUR, by the way, used to have the #1 news in Alaska in the '70s to mid-'80s while they were still KIMO.

Fairbanks, on the other hand (#202)? KTVF used to have the best local news for a small market, but not anymore. Unlike Anchorage, they and K13XD still do local news in SD, and their resources have been limited. Until I moved to Atlanta in 2013, I had to rely on the News-Miner for my local news. They have six over-the-air stations with hardly any subchannels except for KATN (CW on 2.2) and KUAC.

 

[seatownmedia]

For as long as I can remember, primetime in Fairbanks has always been 8-11 pm.

But you are all right about KTVA; its current ownership (and the fact that they've got John Tracy, who helped KTUU become #1 for decades) as well as CBS still the top network have made them a serious competitor once again. They, KTUU, and KYUR all have local news in HD, since Anchorage is the larger TV market at #148.

KYUR, by the way, used to have the #1 news in Alaska in the '70s to mid-'80s while they were still KIMO.

Fairbanks, on the other hand (#202)? KTVF used to have the best local news for a small market, but not anymore. Unlike Anchorage, they and K13XD still do local news in SD, and their resources have been limited. Until I moved to Atlanta in 2013, I had to rely on the News-Miner for my local news. They have six over-the-air stations with hardly any subchannels except for KATN (CW on 2.2) and KUAC.

This thread needs an update! I know KTVA (CBS) upgraded a few years ago. Are they leading the market? KTUU (NBC) was always the leader back in the 90's. Anyone have some more recent info for this interesting market?