Late night news coverage

[Kevinc]

An observation...

It was pretty sad Thursday night when I wanted to hear what was going with the fire at Gallery Furniture, but no one was doing local news after midnight.

I had not been around a television for the 10 pm news and did not know the fire was even happening until I got a voice mail from a friend about it... So as I was driving along I tuned in the local "News" radio station and got local traffic which said firetrucks were still blocking the feeder of I-45 between Tidwell and Parker, but then the station then went to a network newscast instead of local.

I ended up turning to the web when I got home to get my news... so is there any wonder why people are turning to the internet for information instead of turning to radio? Its always there... and as long as you know which sites are trustworthy, they're always being updated with the latest info.

I'm coming down from my soap box now.

kevinc

 

[snoman]

I was thinking the same thing Kevin. This is KTRH's failure. If you are going to bill yourself as "Newsradio 740 KTRH" then by God, cover the news. This story is almost as big as Hurricane coverage in this area, due to the things Mattress Mac does for the community. Ever since Clear Channel took over, KTRH has continued to cut their news programming and staff and it has basically left the 4th Largest City without a full-time news source on the radio. Very sad. It's even worse to say that I went to the Astros game last night, and the first word I had heard about this was when Milo Hamilton mentioned it. I don't know what the Astros contract says with KTRH/CC, but if there is HUGE breaking news as this was, and I was Michael Berry (Operations Manager for CC/Houston), then the Astros get shifted to 790 KBME and the Gallery Furniture fire gets covered. As you said Kevin, not everyone can be in front of the TV or the computer, that's when News/Talk stations need to step up and do your job. Michael Berry it is time your rectify this issue!

 

[mrbeasley]

Don't blame Michael Berry too much. He's only doing what the CC suits tell him to do. But, this market is very ripe for a real, full-fledged news operation, now that KTRH has diluted it's news content with lifestyle crap to fill up a newshour. But, you had to know it was coming when the TV stations started doing it years ago. Knowing some of the KTRH old-timers like I do, I'm sure it's been a real come-down for them to have to do that stuff. A couple of them are good news people who would be an asset to any other real news operation.

The reason you never heard a word about the fire on KTRH is because all they have is a board op on duty that time of the night. The news department is closed for the night until the morning shift comes in the next day. The Astros announcers are the closest thing they have to live newspeople at night.

 

[Kevinc]

I understand the part about only a board op being on duty, but perhaps the board op could be trained to do a quick report about a major breaking story or have someone on standby to be called in late at night or on weekends just in case a big story like this breaks. That way they're not there all night long costing alot of money, but pay them to come in for a big story... I guess then you'd have to have someone to make the decision as to whether a breaking news story would be big enough to merit calling in the extra troops...

ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheBigA]

I'm not from Houston, so I have no idea how important to the community this specific fire was. But if I was the person making the decision as to have a board op announce the fire, or wait until my best reporters were awake and available to do real reporting, it would be my decision to wait. Just my opinion, but I prefer actual reporting in morning drive when lots of people can hear it, to simply announcing breaking news. You put your resources where it counts, and that isn't between 10PM and 5AM. Even the cable news channels are pre-recorded during those hours.

 

[poops]

I'm not from Houston, so I have no idea how important to the community this specific fire was. But if I was the person making the decision as to have a board op announce the fire, or wait until my best reporters were awake and available to do real reporting, it would be my decision to wait. Just my opinion, but I prefer actual reporting in morning drive when lots of people can hear it, to simply announcing breaking news. You put your resources where it counts, and that isn't between 10PM and 5AM. Even the cable news channels are pre-recorded during those hours.

Hi BigA,

The fire affected someone who has given tirelessly to the community and has touched many lives with his kindness. With that being said, to many who were concerned for the welfare of that person, this was a big story.

As do many who post on this board, I realize that the old days of 24 hr news is over, but for stories such as this, there should be some contingency. How hard would it be to have a crew on call that could come out and report from the scene, and work the board in the studio. This is common in many industries, and works well.

I would think that the event may not have that big of an effect all over the listening area of KTRH, but...I would be willing to bet a weeks pay that the people who live near the site of the fire would have appreciated hearing how this could affect there community. Most likely, they wouldn't have been on the scene within the first few minutes, but they would have been on the scene within the first 30-45 minutes, and most likely would have had a pretty good audience due to the person who was involved.

Now... to clarify... Mattress Mac means a lot to the community, but there are many more news worthy events out there that are being missed by the very industry that is licensed to benefit the good of the community.

Michael Berry (I'm pretty sure you follow this board), would it be too hard to put crews on rotating call for such news events? Inquiring listeners would like to know.

poops

 

[TheBigA]

The fire affected someone who has given tirelessly to the community and has touched many lives with his kindness. With that being said, to many who were concerned for the welfare of that person, this was a big story.

Obviously a sad story, but wouldn't it be better to wait and give it the attention it deserves in drive time? Why the big rush? I think chasing fire engines and ambulances isn't real news reporting. Typically, you have to wait for the investigation to get the cause of the fire. You probably also have to wait for proper community reaction.

there are many more news worthy events out there that are being missed by the very industry that is licensed to benefit the good of the community.

That's not exactly what the license is for, but how does it benefit the community to rush a story on the air? Especially when most of the community is asleep at the time?

would it be too hard to put crews on rotating call for such news events?

If they're a union crew, they have to be paid, if there's news happening or not.

 

[poops]

Hi BigA,

You've made some good counter points, and I appreciate your point of view... but... I live in an area that hasn't had a local radio station since 2003, and since that stations demise, we've had no really effective means of getting info out to our community. Before 2003, the station was live 24/7, and should a major news event (such as an industrial incident, or major fire) have taken place, the station usually would broadcast that info as it came in. There were no reporters, but the station did keep in touch with the lead agency for updates.

Your reply regarding most of the community being asleep at the time addresses those who work only days. While many folks are sleeping, there are a great many in the Houston/Galveston area that are working the night shift, and in most cases, listening to the radio (I was one of those folks for 30 or so years). So, again, there are folks out there who could benefit from the news.

I don't profess to be an expert in this subject, but having needed, but not having a news media outlet during an emergency, I can honestly say with conviction that broadcast radio (or actually the corporate management) has abandoned those who it serves... the listeners.

Again... I appreciate your reply and your viewpoint,

poops

 

[ChessCheckerandArgo]

Lord help this city and all cities if anything happens between midnight and 5am. I have been away from Houston for sixteen years and just moved back. I am in total shock at everything that has happened to Houston radio. I guess it's the same story for radio everywhere. I'm guessing the hispanic market here is second only to L.A. Who owns KLOL now? KILTFM without news is a total shocker, what's up with that? Oldies signal is not as good as I remember it but I like the newer songs. Any old armed forces rad/tv out there?

 

[TheBigA]

I can honestly say with conviction that broadcast radio (or actually the corporate management) has abandoned those who it serves... the listeners.

I guess you evacuated Houston during last summer's hurricane. Because had you remained, you would have heard real news coverage. Nobody "abandoned" their listeners. The stations were staffed, and many stayed at work while their own property was hit.

Have a nice day.

 

[snoman]

Lord help this city and all cities if anything happens between midnight and 5am. I have been away from Houston for sixteen years and just moved back. I am in total shock at everything that has happened to Houston radio. I guess it's the same story for radio everywhere. I'm guessing the hispanic market here is second only to L.A. Who owns KLOL now? KILTFM without news is a total shocker, what's up with that? Oldies signal is not as good as I remember it but I like the newer songs. Any old armed forces rad/tv out there?

CBS Radio actually owns KLOL now. They say they are committed to the Spanish Format that it currently has. CBS Radio cut a lot of its "extras" from the morning and afternoon shows on KILT-FM. Jim Carola was first and then Robert B. McIntyre and I believe TJ Callahan were recently dropped from the morning gig. It was a part of staff cuts nationwide at CBS Radio because of the downward spiral of the "economy of radio".

Back to the Late Night News Coverage, KTRH needs to have an emergency reporter on stand-by for events like the Gallery Furniture fire, like every other TV news station and most News Radio stations have. Someone at KTRH or KTRH News Management should be monitoring breaking news situations such as this, and dispatch the emergency reporter to the scene. Either that, or form some sort of alliance with one of the TV stations that will allow the TV reporter to do breaking news coverage for KTRH. I agree with the fact that you really don't want a part-time board op doing breaking news, but KTRH cannot continue to bill themselves as "Newsradio 740 KTRH" if they are not covering the news, as it happens... no matter what time of day it is. A lot of breaking news happens after normal hours and the radio listener deserves to hear the same coverage that the folks watching the TV or internet have. I could understand if this were happening in Bryan or Tyler or any other smaller market, but this is a Top Ten Market. When one of the biggest businesses in this city is on fire, this is a huge story and the fact KTRH had no one to cover it in breaking news fashion, is unacceptable. The Clear Channel cutbacks are a big problem with this, but there are ways to work around it. As I said, form an alliance with one of the TV stations for this kind of situation. Michael Berry may be a nice guy, but ultimately this is his failure since he is in charge.

 

[schmave]

It is sad what Clear Channel has made KTRH. If Chicago, New York and L.A. (among other cities) I am sure can have 24-hour all-news outlets, why not Houston?? Even if KTRH isn't all-news 24/7 in the vein of WBBM, WCBS, WINS, etc., at least give us that format the majority of the day. Enough goes on around here to justify such a commitment, and they can still have the Astros. Just bump Beck, Rush, Hannity, etc. to the 950 and make it the news/talk station. There's enough room for everything.

 

[TheBigA]

If Chicago, New York and L.A. (among other cities) I am sure can have 24-hour all-news outlets, why not Houston??

What do the all-news stations in Chicago, NY, LA, and Philly all have in common?

 

[snoman]

If Chicago, New York and L.A. (among other cities) I am sure can have 24-hour all-news outlets, why not Houston??

What do the all-news stations in Chicago, NY, LA, and Philly all have in common?

They are NOT owned by Clear Channel. I believe they are all CBS Radio Stations.

 

[schmave]

If Chicago, New York and L.A. (among other cities) I am sure can have 24-hour all-news outlets, why not Houston??

What do the all-news stations in Chicago, NY, LA, and Philly all have in common?

They are NOT owned by Clear Channel. I believe they are all CBS Radio Stations.

Absolutely true. So if CBS can do it, what other than the bottom line is the reason Clear Channel will not?
Of course, don't we all know that answer?!

 

[TheBigA]

So if CBS can do it, what other than the bottom line is the reason Clear Channel will not?
Of course, don't we all know that answer?!

Does Clear Channel own TV stations in Houston? That might be your answer.

CBS shares its TV content with radio. Even then, they're cutting their staffs on TV.

Here's the simple fact: The dilution of audience in media (radio, TV, etc) is making it impossible to staff those facilities at all hours of the day and night. It has nothing to do with CC or CBS. It has to do with the ability of a news operation to spread the expense over multiple platforms. Which is why the FCC and Congress need to allow local newspapers to own radio and TV in the same market.

 

[Kevinc]

The fire affected someone who has given tirelessly to the community and has touched many lives with his kindness. With that being said, to many who were concerned for the welfare of that person, this was a big story.

Obviously a sad story, but wouldn't it be better to wait and give it the attention it deserves in drive time? Why the big rush? I think chasing fire engines and ambulances isn't real news reporting. Typically, you have to wait for the investigation to get the cause of the fire. You probably also have to wait for proper community reaction.

there are many more news worthy events out there that are being missed by the very industry that is licensed to benefit the good of the community.

That's not exactly what the license is for, but how does it benefit the community to rush a story on the air? Especially when most of the community is asleep at the time?

would it be too hard to put crews on rotating call for such news events?

If they're a union crew, they have to be paid, if there's news happening or not.

BigA...

The point you make is fine and dandy, but it is what we in radio used to say about newspapers... If you wanted details after the fact you waited to read the newspaper account of a story the next morning... meanwhile you turned to radio for immediacy. News reported as it happened. I was simply stating in my original post that it is sad that there is no one reporting after hours when many people are up and working in a city this size.. or maybe they, like me had been in a movie theater when the major news story broke and had no clue as to what had happened... I knew good and well that the story would be all over the web once I got home and that I could see it on TV in the morning and in the newspaper too...but I was in my car and wanted news at the top of the hour..not tomorrow morning. Thats all. I wasn't looking for in depth reporting, or investigative reporting or anything... I just wanted to know what had happened.

I know all about having limited resources and needing to find the best way to utilize them, but over the past several years while I managed what was left of the local news bureau for Metro Networks, we had a contingency plan for major stories that happened overnight, on weekends and holidays.

Finally, this is not a union market, so that is not a problem...

 

[TheBigA]

I managed what was left of the local news bureau for Metro Networks, we had a contingency plan for major stories that happened overnight, on weekends and holidays.

My advice to you is start a new Metro Networks. They're obviously in trouble. So since you know how to do it, put together your own staff and crew, and offer the service to radio. See what happens. Might make you rich. I'm sure the stations would be interested if they didn't have to pay for it.

 

[poops]

I can honestly say with conviction that broadcast radio (or actually the corporate management) has abandoned those who it serves... the listeners.

I guess you evacuated Houston during last summer's hurricane. Because had you remained, you would have heard real news coverage. Nobody "abandoned" their listeners. The stations were staffed, and many stayed at work while their own property was hit.

Have a nice day.

Yes... you are correct in your assumption that I evacuated during Ike last summer... but... I was able to listen to KTRH while I was there both when I was in the vehicle and on a portable radio (50,000 watts goes a long way in AM).

It appears that we have differing opinions and that will not change, but I'm involved in emergency management in my community, and it says a lot about the reliability of broadcast radio when a county emergency manager says in a public meeting that we can't rely on the radio stations to get the information out during an emergency, to me... a listener... that speaks volumes.

I do appreciate your insight, however I don't agree, I do appreciate it.

poops

 

[TheBigA]

we can't rely on the radio stations to get the information out during an emergency, to me... a listener... that speaks volumes.

Are you aware that local emergency staffs actually forced the evacuation of coastal radio stations and radio personnel during Ike?

And also refused to allow their employees to return to their stations until a week later?

The downtown stations were also evacuated, but staffs refused to leave and worked at their own peril. Rowdy Yates of KILT was one of those people, and he even posted his own personal story of that weekend here on this message board.

It speaks volumes to me that emergency staffers treat radio no better than any other form of business, and then say you can't rely on them. Take a look at New Orleans, and tell me who was more reliable.