"60 MINUTES" Local News Ratings War" Behind the Scenes at KGO-TV and KPIX

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

"60 MINUTES" Local News Ratings War" Behind the Scenes at KGO-TV and KPIX

 

[landtuna]

This story goes back more than a few years but it took place when I was living in the Bay Area. I always used to think that KTVU, an independent in those days, was far better at reporting the news than any of the network "biggies". And, like ABC affiliates nationwide, easily bettered the old time professional news programs with "happy news".

Ratings for the "happy news" stations might have been good because the majority of American late night viewers are almost criminally stupid. Recent politics confirms my suspicions. We have become a nation of headline readers only and fail to get the whole story most of the time. A large part of this unfortunate situation can be laid at the feet of "Big TV" who serve up fire, wrecks and sex as if they were the most important stories of the day.

 

[LKellerIII]

This story goes back more than a few years but it took place when I was living in the Bay Area. I always used to think that KTVU, an independent in those days, was far better at reporting the news than any of the network "biggies". And, like ABC affiliates nationwide, easily bettered the old time professional news programs with "happy news".

Ratings for the "happy news" stations might have been good because the majority of American late night viewers are almost criminally stupid. Recent politics confirms my suspicions. We have become a nation of headline readers only and fail to get the whole story most of the time. A large part of this unfortunate situation can be laid at the feet of "Big TV" who serve up fire, wrecks and sex as if they were the most important stories of the day.

This is my memory, too. At least in the Bay Area, KTVU's success in straight-forward news reporting starting in the early 80's, lead the way, IMO - to the competitors abandoning the "if it bleeds, it leads" style of news that KGO-TV and Van Amburg were so successful with during the 1970's. Even before Amburg was fired in the mid 80's (for having too high a salary), the change was under way, but especially after Amburg left and Pete Wilson took over.

Also, in regard to the reviled "Happy Talk," when the anchors all joked around with each other, I remember the Chronicle critic praising KTVU by saying that you wouldn't even know that Dennis Richmond and Barbara Simpson (his co-anchor in those days) were even on the same set. A bit of an exaggeration, but he made his point.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

This story goes back more than a few years but it took place when I was living in the Bay Area. I always used to think that KTVU, an independent in those days, was far better at reporting the news than any of the network "biggies". And, like ABC affiliates nationwide, easily bettered the old time professional news programs with "happy news".

Ratings for the "happy news" stations might have been good because the majority of American late night viewers are almost criminally stupid. Recent politics confirms my suspicions. We have become a nation of headline readers only and fail to get the whole story most of the time. A large part of this unfortunate situation can be laid at the feet of "Big TV" who serve up fire, wrecks and sex as if they were the most important stories of the day.

Roger Grimsby Started Happy Talk News when ABC Moved him from KGO-TV to WABC-TV in the late 1960's and Al Primo got credited for making the ABC O&O's follow the "Eyewitness News/News Scene" framework for TV News.

 

[landtuna]

Roger Grimsby Started Happy Talk News when ABC Moved him from KGO-TV to WABC-TV in the late 1960's and Al Primo got credited for making the ABC O&O's follow the "Eyewitness News/News Scene" framework for TV News.

I don't remember watching Grimsby on KGO at all. If I watch any TV news way back then it was KTVU. I did get to see Grimsby on WABC as my roommate was a fan. Turned me off ABC big time though. Irresponsible pap.

 

[LKellerIII]

I don't remember watching Grimsby on KGO at all. If I watch any TV news way back then it was KTVU. I did get to see Grimsby on WABC as my roommate was a fan. Turned me off ABC big time though. Irresponsible pap.

In LA, happy talk was big on KABC-TV. One comedian, can't remember which one, parodied it as "Eyewitless News>"

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

In the 1980's KQED did a behind the scenes look at Bay Area media outlets.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

This is my memory, too. At least in the Bay Area, KTVU's success in straight-forward news reporting starting in the early 80's, lead the way, IMO - to the competitors abandoning the "if it bleeds, it leads" style of news that KGO-TV and Van Amburg were so successful with during the 1970's. Even before Amburg was fired in the mid 80's (for having too high a salary), the change was under way, but especially after Amburg left and Pete Wilson took over.

Also, in regard to the reviled "Happy Talk," when the anchors all joked around with each other, I remember the Chronicle critic praising KTVU by saying that you wouldn't even know that Dennis Richmond and Barbara Simpson (his co-anchor in those days) were even on the same set. A bit of an exaggeration, but he made his point.

Back then under Cox ownership KTVU only had 2 newscasts Inna day in the 1980's noon and 10pm.

 

[itsTheRolyPoly]

In the 1980's KQED did a behind the scenes look at Bay Area media outlets.

This is what public media does best. Too bad you don't see this anymore.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

In the 1980's KPIX also did a behind the scenes look of their news operations.