KIAH 39 Coverage of Post Ike

[compubit]

I just tuned into 39 News' coverage tonight, and the lead story (Galveston Recovery and Status) was being covered by a reporter from KDAF TV out of Dallas. In the opening live shot, he's wearing a nice polo shirt with "The 33 News" on it - from KDAF's sister station...

Come on - shouldn't the local reporter be covering the big local story??? At least give the guy a 39 shirt to wear!!!

Is 39 in that bad of shape to not have any reporter to cover the live shot? I watched some of the 33 News coverage during the hurricane while in Dallas, and KDAF sent several people down to cover the story - didn't see any of the local 39 reporters, as I'd expect to have Tribune farm our reporting duties to some of their local reporters for the national coverage... (Didn't get to watch WGN, KWGN, KTLA or WPIX, as my dish was weathering the storm in Galveston County...).

(Just Venting!)

Jim

 

[Slambang]

Jim, its a trend we've seen up here with 33, as they're farming out to freelancers, not established anchors. I have ranted about this for a good long while as well...

 

[MorningTFXdude]

I think it truly does go to show viewers the state of CW 39 Ne...or whatever they call themselves now; what is it? 39 News? IDK.

I mean, I think that they know Houstonians aren't going to Channel 39 for their first choice of Ike coverage.
Not to disrespect any of the dedicated talent at 39, but when you have the top dogs (11 and 13, IMO) that have proven track records of excellent breaking news coverage, not to mention excellent budgets and funds at their disposal, you just kind of look at 39 and go, "meh."

11 was simulcasted on DirecTV nationwide, XM Satellite radio nationwide, three radio stations in Houston (104.1, 103.7, and 97.5, until the Ticket went down due to Ike). 11 brought in reporters from all over, including one from NY, IIRC.

The "big two" have the ships that can go get aerial coverage of Galv., Bolivar, etc. and numerous trucks, staff, etc. etc.

Not to act as a shill to 11 and 13, but the 39 news team, since the losing of Sherry "Good Night, Friends and Neighbors" Williams and the placing of Alan Hemberger on the weekends (the only guy who I tuned into at 39) is going down the toilet, and I suspect, with the direction 39 is going, will be disbanded soon.

There is no way to showcase real news to a young (18-24 at least) environment, but that's a different subject.

Just sayin'...

 

[adguy]

I have to generally agree with that last post. 11 & 13 were far superior to everyone else the night of the storm and even 2 passed the quality test. All had their radars going all night, which was good for those of us with portable TV's. We watched and flipped stations all night. We never made it to 39 and only checked 26 to see if they had anything new to offer. Actually 26 was pretty pathetic as their meteorologists were far inferior to all the other stations.

As for 39, it is clear to see that they will have an almost impossible task of competing with the other 4, even if the 4th is a pretty pathetic 26. It takes stories like this to bring the cream to top and the gunk to the bottom. 39 just doesn't have the resources to compete and make money on their news. I also agree, losing Williams and Hemberger M-F handicapped them further. They had a developing brand and basically threw it down the toilet in favor of lesser known and lesser quality anchors. If I were the new Tribune owners I would fold up that operation immediately after seeing their efforts on this Ike story. They could save millions that could go to shoring up the best sydicated progamming available for years to come.