RGV---Hurricane Emily coverage

[Smittian]

Now that Emily has come and gone, I can't say enough about the terrific coverage provided by KURV-AM. The station dedicated nearly all of it's programming to the storm. Beginning Monday at 5 AM, the station was live and local with continuous Emily coverage from 5-11 AM, and with live updates during Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity's talk shows, then total coverage from 5-8 PM. During the overnight hours, KURV had continuous live reports,live interviews with local officials and reports from South Padre Island. KURV was in constant contact with Accu-Weather's Joe Bastardi and his crew. Kudos to the KURV news team of Sergio Sanchez, Tim Sullivan, Jeff Koch, Davis Rankin and Jim Hearn. They clearly outdistanced the competition. The OTHER N-T station, KVNS-AM (CC) enlightened us with syndicated programming and dead air. The only coverage I heard on KVNS was a simulcast of KRGV-TV's Tim Smith around midnight.

On the TV side, KRGV and KGBT both did an admirable job with their coverage of the storm, but KRGV (NewsChannel 5) was much more thorough with their storm coverage.
Channel 5's weather team had much better graphics, were easier to watch and understand. KRGV's new 3-D doppler radar was interesting to watch. Channel 5 also had live crews stationed all over the valley and used them often. The bulk of KGBT's coverage came from inside the studio in Harlingen.

BTW, does anyone know what happened to KGBT's Chad Sandwell? It looks as if he has suffered a stroke. One side of his face appeared to be paralyzed. He is much too young for something like that to happen.

 

[yeahIwasinradio]

> Now that Emily has come and gone, I can't say enough about
> the terrific coverage provided by KURV-AM. The station
> dedicated nearly all of it's programming to the storm.
> Beginning Monday at 5 AM, the station was live and local
> with continuous Emily coverage from 5-11 AM, and with live
> updates during Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity's talk shows,
> then total coverage from 5-8 PM. During the overnight
> hours, KURV had continuous live reports,live interviews with
> local officials and reports from South Padre Island. KURV
> was in constant contact with Accu-Weather's Joe Bastardi and
> his crew. Kudos to the KURV news team of Sergio Sanchez,
> Tim Sullivan, Jeff Koch, Davis Rankin and Jim Hearn. They
> clearly outdistanced the competition. The OTHER N-T
> station, KVNS-AM (CC) enlightened us with syndicated
> programming and dead air. The only coverage I heard on KVNS
> was a simulcast of KRGV-TV's Tim Smith around midnight.
>
> On the TV side, KRGV and KGBT both did an admirable job with
> their coverage of the storm, but KRGV (NewsChannel 5) was
> much more thorough with their storm coverage.
> Channel 5's weather team had much better graphics, were
> easier to watch and understand. KRGV's new 3-D doppler
> radar was interesting to watch. Channel 5 also had live
> crews stationed all over the valley and used them often. The
> bulk of KGBT's coverage came from inside the studio in
> Harlingen.
>
> BTW, does anyone know what happened to KGBT's Chad Sandwell?
> It looks as if he has suffered a stroke. One side of his
> face appeared to be paralyzed. He is much too young for
> something like that to happen.
>
Does KVNS have anyone local on that station? I don't think they do. That would probably explain why they didn't have anyone.

Up here in Austin, I was able to watch part of KRGV's coverage on their website! KUDDOS to them for that.

I hope that my valley friends are safe. Take care and God Bless!

 

[TonyJames]

> Now that Emily has come and gone, I can't say enough about
> the terrific coverage provided by KURV-AM. The station
> dedicated nearly all of it's programming to the storm.
> Beginning Monday at 5 AM, the station was live and local
> with continuous Emily coverage from 5-11 AM, and with live
> updates during Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity's talk shows,
> then total coverage from 5-8 PM. During the overnight
> hours, KURV had continuous live reports,live interviews with
> local officials and reports from South Padre Island. KURV
> was in constant contact with Accu-Weather's Joe Bastardi and
> his crew. Kudos to the KURV news team of Sergio Sanchez,
> Tim Sullivan, Jeff Koch, Davis Rankin and Jim Hearn. They
> clearly outdistanced the competition. The OTHER N-T
> station, KVNS-AM (CC) enlightened us with syndicated
> programming and dead air. The only coverage I heard on KVNS
> was a simulcast of KRGV-TV's Tim Smith around midnight.
>
> On the TV side, KRGV and KGBT both did an admirable job with
> their coverage of the storm, but KRGV (NewsChannel 5) was
> much more thorough with their storm coverage.
> Channel 5's weather team had much better graphics, were
> easier to watch and understand. KRGV's new 3-D doppler
> radar was interesting to watch. Channel 5 also had live
> crews stationed all over the valley and used them often. The
> bulk of KGBT's coverage came from inside the studio in
> Harlingen.
>
> BTW, does anyone know what happened to KGBT's Chad Sandwell?
> It looks as if he has suffered a stroke. One side of his
> face appeared to be paralyzed. He is much too young for
> something like that to happen.
>
Yep. I have to agree most of the FM stations did a good job. Live jocks most of time WoW!

TV wise I watch 4 KGBT more than 5 KRGV. Both did a good job too. Action 4 News(KGBT) had their crew around most of the Valley, but didnt break in as much as KRGV 5.

Chad apparently has bell's palsy. He was out for about 2 weeks and came back just this past Monday. It should get better, most say.

 

[radiodog]

I have to agree wit all. KURV has once again proven that they reign in the RGV as THE NEWS/TALK leader. KVNS has no local newsroom nor any talents. The only local show the had ironically was "Talking with Tim" which was cancelled a few months ago. CC does have a partnership with KRGV Newchannel 5, but that is about all they have for local news. I also want to say that Newschannel 5 has by far the most advanced weather equiptment which puts Action 4 (KGBT) to shame. All in all I think that both Tv stations did a fantastic job of covering Hurricane Emily. I actually felt like I was in a bigger market than the RGV.