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Fox 40 WDBD to start news operation in May

Hopefully, it will last a while. I think what killed Mississippi News Tonight was that it was a statewide-focused operation rather than local.

When I found out last week that the newscast was to start tomorrow, I wondered why Jackson Television would switch programming like that during the 9PM hour. But we'll see tomorrow night if it does start.
 
> WXMS will not be required to go HDTV since they are a low-powered station.

Just a quick point. No station is required to go HDTV (high-def). What they do in terms of resolution and subchannels is really up to the individual stations. Full powers just have to be all-digital on transition day.

Remember, all HDTV is digital, but not all digital is HDTV. Here in Memphis, for example, we have a couple of stations that apparently have no intention of transmitting anything other than standard def. One has 5 -- count 'em 5 -- streams. You can't cram an HDTV stream in with that much bandwidth already taken (unless you compress it to the point of being unusable, I suppose). Mississippi ETV (yeah, I know that's the old name, but it's still ETV to me) has three streams -- one HD and two standard def channels. And, boy, one of those standard def channels is really, really compressed.

DE
 
especially the "Create" channel. It looks really crappy. the now defunct "Tube" on Wlbt was the worst. It looked almost as bad as youtube video.
 
yeah, has this been pushed back, or what? i've checked a couple times since the initial launch date, and i'm getting access hollywood...
 
I don't think they ever really set a date. When the news (no pun intended) first broke, it was announced that it would be in May. That could be anytime from now to the 31st, but then again, who's to say it won't start later?
 
While doing a Google search, I found an interesting tidbit. Looks like WDBD has an anchorperson in place. Her name is Kathy Times and she's an office with the National Association of Black Journalists. They have her listed as an evening anchor.
 
Will they have reporters go out and cover their own stories or will they simply get all of their stories and video from the wire?
 
I hope they plan on spending money and try to make it a competitive operation.

BTW, I checked the schedule again and the newscast is not listed for June 2. What's the deal?
 
Another update: the schedule at gomiss.com shows a 10pm repeat of the Fox 40 News at 9 on WUFX at 10pm starting June 2, but there is no 9pm newscast on Fox 40. However, the schedule does show the newscast starting on WDBD on June 9, but no 10pm replay on WUFX.

Maybe I should just call them and ask when the newscast will start and put an end to the suspense.
 
I have heard for serveral years that FOX was pressuring all affilates to get new on the air.
It makes some sense at nine..get some fair numbers try for a strong 3rd place ahead of
one of the ABC NBC or CBS shows each nigh, Check out the strengths of the network show on at
nine o'clock and slowly play totheir audience. Each rating point you pull from the is worth two for you
I don't see FOX winning anytime soon unless they take a younger life-style approach, They need to offer
lots of on demand videos for their primary target 18-24
and then throw a hot syndated show in at
ten and probably pick up the number two spot with strong 18-49 and good 25-54 numbers.
I'm a radio animal,but I would take the TV news into a lead stuff that matters and the the stuff thats
happening on-line. The blogs the videos...dig it up first or pass along what's already hot.
Research balance between on air and on line. Each with an attitude,,,slightly different and not
what you learned in broadcast school...what you learn a feel is right in the business.
Do the news as long as it last...the weathe the same...and the spots.
The whole package might be 22 minutes one night and 43 the next. Due the content then shut up and move on.
 
There was a point nearly ten years ago when FOX would give a stipend to local affiliates that did a 9pm newscast. It was definitely true at KARD/Monroe LA and WLOV/West Point-Tupelo MS. I don't know if monetary incentives are applicable presently.

The Comcorp group here(Lafayette/Baton Rouge) started a 9pm cast and a morning block from 7-9am in the past few months. It is mostly produced out of Baton Rouge. Initially, the 9pm was branded as Fox News Louisiana. As FNL, I thought it was well done for something new, though there wasn't anything that they did differently than the competitors aside from a one and a half minute Southeastern Scoop package. Then they decided to make separate casts for Laf and BR. In theory, it was a nice idea, but in execution, it stinks. Whereas FNL had mad flow, the separate casts look cobbled together. The on-air talent(anchors) is pretty decent, the reporters are mostly green, but they need a real news director.
 
Well it's obvious nobody on here has any real inside info, so I will see what I can do to help you along. It will not be in May, or on June 2nd. Beyond that I can only say, stay tuned. Progress is going well, and when things are ready, it will launch. I can address some of the things I have seen on here. 1st: Yes there will be a team of reporters. 2nd: Yes there has been quite an investment, so every effort will be made to put on the best quality and accurate news cast possible. It's amazing to me how much speculation this has stirred up, but honestly, there will not be a big announcement before launch. There won't be a countdown, and there won't be a killer radio run to prepare people. But once it hits the air, people will decide if it's a good product or not. I am betting it will be since I know some of the people involved. It will be here soon enough, and then I'm sure all of you will post your opinions of it. All I ask is you give it an honest look before you snap off a post. I will try to give you a heads-up a few days before launch...stay tuned!!!!
 
Re: Fox 40 WDBD to start news operation sometime soon

Thanks a lot, Euford. I trust that WDBD is putting a serious effort into making a top-notch newscast and that it will succeed. Heck, I want them to be good enough to where I may call them my favorite local newscast. I would hope, though, that they would do some promotion behind the upcoming debut. It doesn't have to be an all-out blitz and definitely don't want to see a reminder like NBC has on the bottom of their screen with Nashville Star, but let the viewers know a little something that it's coming.

Also, can you confirm if a repeat will be shown at 10 on My 35 and/or if they will eventually have their own newscast?
 
Haven't heard anything from him or that little WQMA or whatever it was in Marks, MS. It got more posts than some of the big 50k blowtorches.

Back to WDBD. I wish they had a Fox network newscast to go along with their local show. I don't get the Fox New Channel and I really don't care for the Big 3 networks that much. Does anyone know if they have a national Fox newscast on broadcast tv anywhere?
 
Have you noticed...WDBD has (IMHO) the best color saturation in the market on both SD and HD.
 
Can't talk about the fine details, but in my opinion I think it's unlikely 35 will ever have it's own (MY35 NEWSCAST). I mean seriously, do we need 5 news products in little ole Jackson Mississippi? A repeat of the FOX news is more likely at this point. Golden Boy, I can't really get specific on details as I am sure you understand, but I can tell you as for as the promotion and approach of the launch, every possible option either has been or is being considered. They're not going to change the world, just the way you watch news in Central Mississippi. As for a national FOX News product to go along with a local one....FOX really doesn't set up for such a relationship which I think is sad, however, the winds of change may be blowing in some other changes on the network side that could open the minds of the powers that be. Jay Leno may be on FOX with a "Tonight Show" Style show going head to head with his old time slot as soon as his duties are complete with NBC. If that happens, it will offer more prime time options for FOX in the post 10pm time slot. No word on what time exactly since many FOX stations have 9pm News. What would suck for NBC is for a Jay Leno show to start at 10p right out of a 9-10 Newscast. It's anybody's guess on the success of such a show, but I am sure it would provide many sleepless nights for quite a few network executives.
 
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