Channel 10's getting on my nerves

[Sammi Brie]

We've been longtime viewers of channel 10's 9pm newscast. For years, despite being a Fox O&O, KSAZ has managed to have a relatively stable, calm, good newscast.

Of late, that's been out the window. 10's style has become alarmingly tabloid since the start of the year, and I don't like what I see...

• Overuse of the virtual set/green screen, despite the fact that they have a real set.
• Tabloid effects in their open. In fact, the 3D Phoenix sequence is gone at weeknights, just "Fox 10 News at 9" and a flying Fox logo into a much different presentation of the headlines.
• Concerns about slanted writing. Tonight, in the headline segment, Kari Lake announced someone was coming on the show to "try and defend" city days off issues.

10 still has a lot going for it, like Dave Munsey, Jude La Cava, and John Hook (all 15+ year KSAZ employees), its relatively normal weekend news, and the fact that it IS the Fox affiliate.

There's a reason I want into TV. I see the wrongs that consultants call rights. I see the problems that abound. I see possibilities to make TV news great again.

On TVNewsTalk, my avatar is a frame from Channel 10's 1994 open for a reason. Perhaps it's about time 10 looked back to its Spirit of Arizona days?

P.S. Jude La Cava got just under three minutes to briefly cover some of the NCAA upsets, Coyotes hockey, and a very short segment on spring training. Then it was time to start the 10pm newscast at 9:58:45 or so.

 

[KeithE4]

We've been longtime viewers of channel 10's 9pm newscast. For years, despite being a Fox O&O, KSAZ has managed to have a relatively stable, calm, good newscast.

Of late, that's been out the window. 10's style has become alarmingly tabloid since the start of the year, and I don't like what I see...

• Overuse of the virtual set/green screen, despite the fact that they have a real set.
• Tabloid effects in their open. In fact, the 3D Phoenix sequence is gone at weeknights, just "Fox 10 News at 9" and a flying Fox logo into a much different presentation of the headlines.
• Concerns about slanted writing. Tonight, in the headline segment, Kari Lake announced someone was coming on the show to "try and defend" city days off issues.

10 still has a lot going for it, like Dave Munsey, Jude La Cava, and John Hook (all 15+ year KSAZ employees), its relatively normal weekend news, and the fact that it IS the Fox affiliate.

It's a Fox O&O. That's says it all. The folks that were around back in the CBS days are an asset, but they're pushing retirement age now. John Hook and Kari Lake are still the best news anchors in Phoenix. The weekend crew is good too. The morning show is unwatchable, not because any of their people are bad (they aren't), but the focus of the show is too housewife- and American Idol-oriented. It's Channels 5 or 15 for me in the AM.

There's a reason I want into TV. I see the wrongs that consultants call rights. I see the problems that abound. I see possibilities to make TV news great again.

On TVNewsTalk, my avatar is a frame from Channel 10's 1994 open for a reason. Perhaps it's about time 10 looked back to its Spirit of Arizona days?

Phoenix is a Sun Belt city. Fluff rules. How many cities along I-10 and south of it have newscasts at the level of a New York, Chicago, or Boston? I'll guess few, if any. Folks in the warmer climates just don't care about what's going on in the world. Those of us that do can find other sources.

P.S. Jude La Cava got just under three minutes to briefly cover some of the NCAA upsets, Coyotes hockey, and a very short segment on spring training. Then it was time to start the 10pm newscast at 9:58:45 or so.

Outside of strictly local sports (emphasis on high school and college), there is no need whatsoever for a local sportscast anymore. Those who want the scores and highlights of their favorite pro and major college teams already know where to get them. It's called SportsCenter, either on cable, radio, or the interwebs.

 

[landtuna]

10 still has a lot going for it, like Dave Munsey, Jude La Cava, and John Hook (all 15+ year KSAZ employees), its relatively normal weekend news, and the fact that it IS the Fox affiliate.

A "lot"? Not sure how you measure that but I don't see where any of the three bring unique or above average talent to the TV news/weather game. I used to listen to Munsey when he was a DJ on KOOL-FM. He and Jeanne Sedello made a great pair on radio but Dave alone on TV weather, not so much.

It's a Fox O&O.

And that is probably the best explanation of why American Idol gets so much time on the morning show. But that isn't unique to Channel 10 or to Fox. All the major network affiliates use that time to promote their own programming. And although I don't watch American Idol or care for their discussions about it I also understand that AI fits their demographic and it would be foolish for them not to use it as an ongoing topic.

The morning show is unwatchable, not because any of their people are bad (they aren't), but the focus of the show is too housewife - and American Idol-oriented.

I would only ask, what morning show, anywhere, is NOT housewife oriented? Once the early riser viewer is off to work the most common demo left is the housewife. I am not a housewife and some of their "Ladies Room" segments don't thrill me but they always seem to mix segments of interest with those I don't pay close attention to. And for reporting the news I think Ron Hoon is one of the best, if not the best, in the city. The morning show starts early with emphasis on news, weather and traffic then segue's into human interest stories and softer news towards mid-morning. They have an interesting number of live shots and just enough technical faux pas to make it humorous. Personally, I like their location stories as they cover local events and businesses that I wouldn't otherwise know about. And, as you have noted, the cast is very good at what they do.

Phoenix is a Sun Belt city. Fluff rules. How many cities along I-10 and south of it have newscasts at the level of a New York, Chicago, or Boston? I'll guess few, if any. Folks in the warmer climates just don't care about what's going on in the world. Those of us that do can find other sources.

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself......anyone who gets their news from TV/radio is shortchanging themselves. Neither do a passable job of pure news coverage in most markets these days. But in that respect Phoenix and the Sun Belt is no different from other markets, yes, even New York City. I lived there when WABC introduced "happy news" and was mortified that people like Roger Grimsby would stoop to such unprofessional depths. But ratings don't lie and that's apparently what people want to watch. Like you, I've moved on to better, "real" sources.

P.S. Jude La Cava got just under three minutes to briefly cover some of the NCAA upsets, Coyotes hockey, and a very short segment on spring training. Then it was time to start the 10pm newscast at 9:58:45 or so.

Outside of strictly local sports (emphasis on high school and college), there is no need whatsoever for a local sportscast anymore.

Perhaps this is why there is practically no sports coverage on the local news shows any longer. But Channel 10 isn't unique in this omission either.

Disclaimer: KSAZ's Morning Show is the only program I watch on that channel. I find the majority of Fox programming infantile and/or repulsive.

 

[formeraa]

I was unemployed for a couple of months before the holidays. Once again, I tried to watch Fox 10's morning show, but I just find it unwatchable. I'm sure that Ron and Rick were great back in the day and the women just seem to be eye candy. Again, this is simply my personal opinion.

I actually find the current GMAZ much more watchable (i.e. no Dan, no Brad, and less drama). Most days, I even put up with Tara without getting irritated. I'm really not sure why. I do like the set and I love Gina on traffic and the addition of Kaley and Yetta to the mix.

 

[Sammi Brie]

Channel 3's news at 9 (and their Varsity Zone at 10pm Fridays) come off to me as dry and in need of something more.

Only Munsey (1981, I think he arrived), Williams (1981), Hook (at least 1992), La Cava (1994, probably their JD Hayworth replacement), Lake, Martinez, and Hayden are good any more.

10's been making a run at news leadership along with 5, but that's because the void 12 had filled for over a decade then left blank when the NBC network made a race to the bottom leaves nothing.

 

[formeraa]

10's been making a run at news leadership along with 5, but that's because the void 12 had filled for over a decade then left blank when the NBC network made a race to the bottom leaves nothing.

And 12 managed to lose almost all of their senior reporters...some of their current reporters look like they should be in Yuma, rather than a top 15 market.

 

[Sammi Brie]

10's been making a run at news leadership along with 5, but that's because the void 12 had filled for over a decade then left blank when the NBC network made a race to the bottom leaves nothing.

And 12 managed to lose almost all of their senior reporters...some of their current reporters look like they should be in Yuma, rather than a top 15 market.

That too. I remember when Lew Ruggiero retired.

Actually, in the most recent Nielsens, Detroit and Phoenix are separated by a few thousand households. We could crack #11 soon if the population trends continue. Houston's much farther away, and another Sun Belt market, so it might not be passed up anytime soon.

 

[2Son]

Channel 3's news at 9 (and their Varsity Zone at 10pm Fridays) come off to me as dry and in need of something more.

Only Munsey (1981, I think he arrived), Williams (1981), Hook (at least 1992), La Cava (1994, probably their JD Hayworth replacement), Lake, Martinez, and Hayden are good any more.

10's been making a run at news leadership along with 5, but that's because the void 12 had filled for over a decade then left blank when the NBC network made a race to the bottom leaves nothing.

Hook arrived in August 1993. He was in Tucson prior to that.

 

[Sammi Brie]

Channel 3's news at 9 (and their Varsity Zone at 10pm Fridays) come off to me as dry and in need of something more.

Only Munsey (1981, I think he arrived), Williams (1981), Hook (at least 1992), La Cava (1994, probably their JD Hayworth replacement), Lake, Martinez, and Hayden are good any more.

10's been making a run at news leadership along with 5, but that's because the void 12 had filled for over a decade then left blank when the NBC network made a race to the bottom leaves nothing.

Hook arrived in August 1993. He was in Tucson prior to that.

Thanks. The reason I thought he was at 10 earlier is because he was involved in this debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bp9DO-7B0E"]KTSP/?? 1992 AZ Senate debate[/url].

 

[bryada]

Their 4:30 AM has gotten annoying as well with the newscast taking place in the control room. Uber cheesy.

 

[formeraa]

Their 4:30 AM has gotten annoying as well with the newscast taking place in the control room. Uber cheesy.

3TV is much better at 4:30am. Javier and Kaley (NO Tara) are great. And did I mention that Tara comes in at 6am???

 

[brian4]

Their 4:30 AM has gotten annoying as well with the newscast taking place in the control room. Uber cheesy.

I'm liking the 4:30 control room newscast. Gives the viewers a different look. Plus it's only for 30 minutes during their first segment, which was a good place to try it.

 

[MusicFan2009]

I'm liking the 4:30 control room newscast. Gives the viewers a different look. Plus it's only for 30 minutes during their first segment, which was a good place to try it.

I am curious where FOX 10's control room is in that building. I have seen the loft, I have seen anchor desk, I have seen newsroom. I assume control room is in the newsroom. I have seen when they do newsroom shots for FOX 10 a room with really old analogy tvs, is that the newsroom? Here is another question I have regarding FOX 10 when they do shots live from the newsroom are they really in the newsroom, because sometimes it appears they are live in front of a desk and other times it appears they are live in a front of a green screen? Any ideas?

God the last time I remember a control room was when KPHO had their old set. They used to have anchors, reporters in their control room with 100 tvs and they would say: "live in the control room [insert name here] for CBS 5 or KPHO". Catherine Anaya would come with her live update for her anchoring duties at 6:30 when she would join Kent Dana.

 

[formeraa]

Fox 10 is #1 in Phoenix

And I just saw the new commercial touting Fox 10's #1 news station status in Phoenix.