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Local News in E. WA is in a sad state

I think someone listened to me about the set...
KIMA's finally getting a new set! Jake Taylor told us during the newscast a couple mins. ago that they have torn out the walls, and starting Monday will begin construction on a new 21st-century set. Assuming Sinclair style, with the large and rather narrow screens + the clear-colored desk. But this is a step up that was well needed...that awful set they have, has been the same for over a decade. Wonder if KEPR's doing the same thing?
They will probably retire the old Fisher graphics once the set is built too - get ready for the Sinclair graphics package!
 
crainbebo said:
I think someone listened to me about the set...
KIMA's finally getting a new set! Jake Taylor told us during the newscast a couple mins. ago that they have torn out the walls, and starting Monday will begin construction on a new 21st-century set. Assuming Sinclair style, with the large and rather narrow screens + the clear-colored desk. But this is a step up that was well needed...that awful set they have, has been the same for over a decade. Wonder if KEPR's doing the same thing?
They will probably retire the old Fisher graphics once the set is built too - get ready for the Sinclair graphics package!
Click to expand...

Hmm. We shall see. Sinclair budgeting bigtime for their smaller markets seems a bit unlikely, but I will watch for improvements, as I get both KIMA and KEPR on my directv in the Tri. Any change would probably be for the better. Then, there is KAPP/KVEW, which actually has been looking better visually, but now has to replace their main anchor, Mike Gonzales, moving to Phoenix.
 
bm10k said:
On a related note, in Spokane KREM 2 will move to its new set this week (they have been doing newscasts from the Newsroom)
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Yes, they will be using their entire studio space for this new set. Bigtime upgrade for Tegna in Spokane. The previews look very good.

I wonder why Seattle's Tegna operation is so moribound? It is terribly out of place when compared to the competition. KING has gone from a major player in Seattle to a 3rd or 4th place finisher in local tv. Sad.
 
Watching the KIMA set timelapse, I notice they have a small sitting area on the right side of the set with a computer monitor. Maybe this will be a 'weather' area? Basic looking desk in the middle with a nice screen behind them. Green screen for reporters is on the back side of the set. Their current green screen during remodeling is in the BREAK ROOM...no kidding. They actually have to shut off the Pepsi vending machine to make sure the area is quiet.
We should see a new look to KIMA very soon! I don't know if they will shove 'Mike on tape' out the window, but I'd love to see a local meteorologist.

On the other hand, how many years has it been since KAPP screwed up their Kittitas County translator calls? Just saw a new top-of-hour ID with the wrong calls once again. I have no idea who to contact regarding that: the MCO's at KXLY I presume, since everything is automated up there? There is no channel 36 assigned to Ellensburg...but there's one in Colorado! That's likely to confuse new OTA viewers.
https://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=K3...zip=&arn=&party=&party_type=LICEN&latd=&lond=

It's actually on this signal: https://fccdata.org/?facid=168150
 
Is it just me or has KEPR gone to a virtual 'look'? Scott looks different tonight, like he's speaking in front of a green screen. Perhaps this is temporary and KEPR's also getting a future remodel? I would assume so...
 
crainbebo said:
Watching the KIMA set timelapse, I notice they have a small sitting area on the right side of the set with a computer monitor. Maybe this will be a 'weather' area? Basic looking desk in the middle with a nice screen behind them. Green screen for reporters is on the back side of the set. Their current green screen during remodeling is in the BREAK ROOM...no kidding. They actually have to shut off the Pepsi vending machine to make sure the area is quiet.
We should see a new look to KIMA very soon! I don't know if they will shove 'Mike on tape' out the window, but I'd love to see a local meteorologist.

In recent new sets across the country, the "sitting area" is mainly for morning interviews. I suppose the concept is to move interviews off the desk to a more comfortable spot for the guests. But doesn't KIMA and KEPR combine their morning news? (I am rarely awake before 7am, so I really don't know)

As for KEPR with a new set, a couple of things may be going on here. First, Sinclair probably felt a more pressing need to rebuild KIMA. How certain are we that Sinclair wants to continue to do two separate newscasts in the longterm? Afterall, their competition does not do two separates. Could they combine operations in Yakima? Pure speculation on my part.
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Yes, KEPR produces the 5-7am morning news and relays it to KIMA. I'm VERY doubtful Sinclair wants to combine 29/19 in Yakima. With all the throwing to KEPR they do, will they put the legendary 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. studios up for sale in the next couple of years and send Jake Taylor packing? I think there would be a lot of outcry if that happens but, 'cheep cheep'! What used to be two dueling TV stations on 24th Avenue, KAPP and KNDO, is now a dance studio and some offices.

Looking at older newscasts (thanks to the old VHS tapes), I can see the quality all three stations put into their product pre-millennium - with the anchors, meteorologists, even reporters. Actually, pre-2005 for that matter. They competed with each other (albeit I think KAPP may have been left behind slightly in quality) but now they don't care. Throw it to Kennewick, hire some young reporters who flub their lines, and in the case of KVEW (and quite possibly KEPR) throw a green screen up behind the desk and call it a day.
 
Reporters filling in for a meteorologist doesn't seem right IMO. They need a weekend/fill-in, kick 'Ryan Overton from Q6 on tape' to the curb.
 
crainbebo said:
Reporters filling in for a meteorologist doesn't seem right IMO. They need a weekend/fill-in...
Click to expand...

Question: is your market a "jump market" where talent either makes a rather short stay on the way to a larger market, or where they are so without potential and simply disappear?

There are quite a few such markets that larger market news directors look at to find talent with "the right stuff" that they can further train. But it makes for a lot of erratic performances locally in the meantime as new folks come in, get trained and either leave TV or move upwards.
 
DavidEduardo said:


Question: is your market a "jump market" where talent either makes a rather short stay on the way to a larger market, or where they are so without potential and simply disappear?

There are quite a few such markets that larger market news directors look at to find talent with "the right stuff" that they can further train. But it makes for a lot of erratic performances locally in the meantime as new folks come in, get trained and either leave TV or move upwards.
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Like many markets similarly sized to Tri-Cities/Yakima, (250-500K metro), there is a combination of experienced and unexperienced anchors, weathercasters, and reporters. In Tri-Cities the anchors and weathercasters tend to be more experienced and a bit older. The reporters are generally younger and less experienced, most in the early part of their careers. It is true, you can see all the mistakes that the younger folks make at this level, but occasionally you see potential greatness.
 
We're getting KEPR's newscast tonight on 29, Scott mentioned it was a 'special regional newscast'.
Hmm...UPDATE 5:05p: A 'technical error' at KIMA prevented them from airing the first 5 minutes of the 5PM news, they cut out the Kennewick report. Maybe someone accidentally unplugged a cord as they were still tweaking the new set! lol!
 
New set on KIMA is now in operation! Looking decent, they had the camera pan over to Gustavo Olguin for the first story. They still display the KIMA news logo behind Jake, I wonder if they'll add some story graphics behind him soon. They still cut to Mike McCabe from KEPR but that set is brand new as well. (No more green screen it seems there). He's got the desktops and monitors behind him.
Most of the graphics are still late '00s from the Fisher days, but I assume they will go to the uniform Sinclair style soon.
 
crainbebo said:
New set on KIMA is now in operation! Looking decent, they had the camera pan over to Gustavo Olguin for the first story. They still display the KIMA news logo behind Jake, I wonder if they'll add some story graphics behind him soon. They still cut to Mike McCabe from KEPR but that set is brand new as well. (No more green screen it seems there). He's got the desktops and monitors behind him.
Most of the graphics are still late '00s from the Fisher days, but I assume they will go to the uniform Sinclair style soon.
Click to expand...

KEPR also has a new set, but looks like a green screen background. But, overall, a nice, more modern, and brighter look. Same old graphics. They really need to be changed. Also new co-anchor with Scott, didn't get her name...young but looks like really good potential. Which means she will likely spend the usual 2-year term and move up.

I can't comment on KIMA, as I have lost my feed after returning to Spectrum.
 
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It's not Cody Proctor moving up to weekdays? Oh, why did you go back to Charter? We're sick of the $180 bills every month for TV/'net/phone...gotta love that 12-month disclaimer on their Triple Play. People who have been with them for years (like us) get the run around.
 
crainbebo said:
It's not Cody Proctor moving up to weekdays? Oh, why did you go back to Charter? We're sick of the $180 bills every month for TV/'net/phone...gotta love that 12-month disclaimer on their Triple Play. People who have been with them for years (like us) get the run around.
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No, not Cody, but I like her as a reporter and weekend anchor. This new anchor has a name that is difficult to remember. Too bad there were no graphics spelling it out, but that is part of the problem with KEPR. She is pretty good and will get better.

As for Charter. Well, I love to play around with these companies. You can jump around and save money. Just be aware of what contracts are required. For example, Charter/Spectrum has no contracts right now. So if you don't like something they are willing to negotiate to keep you on board. I was with a satellite company for the past almost 2 years, and even though I wasn't quite through with their contract, Charter was willing to pay it off. The services are almost the same, with the exception of a few channels here and there. Yes, there is a bit of inconvenience in switching, but it tends to work out economically at the end of the day. I will say that Charter/Spectrum is going through some growing pains right now and service is, well, less than excellent, but I'm sure that will settle down once the new acquisition (Time Warner, and others) are combined.
 
Looks like Karly Tinsley is leaving KNDU/KNDO. From indeed.com:

"KNDU/KNDO-TV in Tri-Cities and Yakima, Washington in Beautiful Pacific Northwest is looking for an evening anchor. We are looking for not just a ‘reader’ but leader in our newsroom. Social Media and being a team player is a must for this position. We're looking for a multi-talented candidate with the ability to produce and anchor two weekend newscasts, shoot, edit, and write for broadcast and internet. Organizational skills are very important, as well as a good driving record. A college degree in journalism or related field is required. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. EOE, women & minorities encouraged to apply.Please send your resume and link to your reel our way!"
 


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