I hear KTVZ started their news in HD last week, but from what I understand, it's really still only 16x9 SD. Any other knowledge from anyone?
KTVZ News in HD
Seems it started yesterday, and it was apparently newsworthy enough to make it into the A block of their 5 o'clock show! Must not have been much else going on in Bend.
And, no matter what they call it, they are just trying to compete with all the technology KOHD is finally bringing to an underserved market. 'Z' is about to be given a true run for their money.
"Yep, that's why I tune into the local news...the technology."
I don't think that's what the poster meant. But looking at this new, all of sudden jump to HD that Z21 is doing, I can't help but think that they are scared that SOME viewers will be lured by the thought of brand new technology being used at a brand new station. So hey, why not compete and say oh by the way, we have HD too, look, that new station is nothing special. You can't deny that people will be intrigued by the thought of seeing news in HD, perhaps enough to get them to switch and check out that new other station for a day.
As far as this quote:
"I wouldn't call Bend underserved. It's market 192. It's little, without much to report on anyway. We'll just have to see how this whole thing pans out between KOHD and KTVZ. KOHD may be "high-tech", but they haven't been there for the last 30 years. Not that I think KTVZ is exceptional--it's a small, fresh-out-of-college station."
First, to address that Bend isn't underserved, I would say that you are mistaken. Yes, Bend is market 192. However, let's not forget that Bend is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. The sixth fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation to be exact. Having ONE news station...for 30 years...with no competition, that's slightly ridiculous. Even in smaller markets, Casper, Wyoming for instance, there is more than one news station.
There are over 150 thousand people in the Central Oregon or market 192's reach. To just say that "there is little or nothing to report on" is kind of an insult to everyone out in there. It's growing tremendously, there is a lot of money out there and development is skyrocketing. There are TONS of issues considering development, crime, and to put it general, the overall direction of the entire city. In ten years, Bend and the surround areas have gone from rural, resort but don't stay here communities to places where people and industry want to relocate for a REALLY long time.
Sure, Bend and Central Oregon are still small in relative levels like if you're going to compare it to the Willamette Valley, but that's not the point. It's growing. It's already big enough to deserve a second news station, and it's only going to get better and the community is only going to face more issues.
As for KOHD, I don't think their intention is to come in to Bend and to wow everyone with technology. Sure, it helps to put on a slick LOOKING newscast, but I think they are coming in here with the intention of BETTER SERVING THE COMMUNITY. Helping to communicate. After all, isn't that what the point of TV news is? Sure it's swayed a little, there's no debate there, but news stations still operate to serve the public.
As for experience and being established for 30 years, sure, it helps to have a few people around that KNOW Central Oregon. KOHD is probably smart enough to realize that, and likely have people from Oregon and from Central Oregon working in their newsroom in some way shape or form. And lets not forget...even if a station's call signs have been here for 30 years, that doesn't mean the majority of their staff is from Central Oregon. I'd be willing to guess that KOHD and KTVZ have an equal level of "Central Oregon expertise" in both of their newsrooms.
Bend won't be able to escape the "small out of college" market feel for a while, probably ever. But that doesn't mean that's all Bend media can attract. It's a VERY desirable place to live for the young and the old. Point being, Bend media is not home to simply just "market jumpers" and "natives."
"but I think they are coming in here with the intention of BETTER SERVING THE COMMUNITY. Helping to communicate. After all, isn't that what the point of TV news is?"
What? Are you nuts? With the growing market you referenced, with growth comes cash for tv stations to make. It is as simple as that. Local news is MUCH MUCH cheaper to produce than buying syndication, it's ALL about the money, period.
It was probably naive of me to not mention anything about money. Centainly, there is money in Bend, tons of it, and advertising revenue is probably a big reason why the signal got snatched up by Chambers. But I disagree that news stations are all about money. I suppose Iike to think that people aren't entirely greedy, money hungry pigs. The people in newsrooms will certainly not say "I'm working here to make advertising revenue for my parent company, not to tell people the news." Newsies work to create a community dialogue, (I know I do) and there is still SOME bit of hope there.
If leading off their first 5p newscast with a story about a floor mat recall is giving "Z" "a true run for their money" then this race is going to be a short one. My money's on Kayna, Bob, Nina, Christian, Rashad, and Lee.
I wouldn't call Bend underserved. It's market 192. It's little, without much to report on anyway. We'll just have to see how this whole thing pans out between KOHD and KTVZ. KOHD may be "high-tech", but they haven't been there for the last 30 years. Not that I think KTVZ is exceptional--it's a small, fresh-out-of-college station.
Wow, someone actually fell for one of their promos. 30 years of experiences mean nothing to us viewers when all you report on is yourself.
Now, I didn't say 30 years of experience. I said they've BEEN there for 30 years. Which really has a lot to do with people watching what was once the only local newscast out of habit. I know as well as you do that just because they've been there 30 years doesn't mean the news staff (or much anyone else) has been. I know of 2, maybe 3 employees who have been there longer than 15 years. And none in the news department.
And I did not fall for one of their promos. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of viewers out there who watch KTVZ news, many of whom are not going to change their habits.
I will agree with that though, it might be tough to persuade many of the folk that have grown up with / always loved KTVZ. But I mean... who doesn't like something new? :) Time will tell.
... it might be tough to persuade many of the folk that have grown up with / always loved KTVZ. But I mean... who doesn't like something new? :) Time will tell.
Hmmm. Those who've "grown up" with KTVZ must number in, what, the dozens? A majority of the folks in C.O. have moved here since the mid-90s. That's hardly enough time to "grow up" with anything, especially a TV station.
As far as Bend being an "attractive" place to live, that would be for people who make four to five times what TV newspeople in this area make.
Hmmm. Those who've "grown up" with KTVZ must number in, what, the dozens? A majority of the folks in C.O. have moved here since the mid-90s. That's hardly enough time to "grow up" with anything, especially a TV station.
That's true. I wasn't trying to say KOHD will be struggling to get any viewers, just that there is probably a sizeable demographic of people that are going to be a little more skeptical than others.
As far as Bend being an "attractive" place to live, that would be for people who make four to five times what TV newspeople in this area make.
But if you think it this way...if you're working in TV, and you're not getting paid much, would you rather not get paid much in Idaho Falls, Cheyenne, or Grand Junction? In that respect, in my opinion, I think Bend is a desirable place to live. But hey, thats just me.
I'm interested to see how the dynamics change once KOHD gets started. Granted, old habits are hard to break, especially when there's only one game in town to watch. Then again, if KOHD can beat KTVZ to stories, produce/write better packages, shoot more compelling video, maintain higher production values (tripods on live shots, anyone???) they might have something going for them. If anything, it should keep everyone on their toes.
KOHD can also be seen on CH 53 if you do not have a digital or HD set.
Seems thet have a translator on top of the west hiil in Bend.
Good clean signal.
I used to work at KFXO...and I am so amazed to watch what has happened since KTVZ took over. Most every one I know absolutely hates the Z21 news on Fox 10pm news...just a repeat of KTVZ's 5 and 6 o'clock's broadcast. We had great ratings before they took over and from what I hear...since they took over, the ratings have dropped big time! Personnel have left as soon as they could find other jobs and there are maybe 5 people left that worked there before the takeover. When I talk to former employees, the comment I hear most often is that Z21 raped KFXO.
Since we know Clear Channel decided to shed its small market stations because they weren't profitable enough is it possible that KOHD is simply a bad idea by the new license holder?
We know that local television stations are trying to figure out how to survive because the networks are steadily losing viewers to cable, TIVO, the internet---you name it.
Considering how long it takes to get a station licensed and built, is it possible that Chambers made a mistake they're already regretting? Had the licensing opportunity availed itself a year or two later when the new economics were more obvious would the company have taken the same path or would they been happy to hold onto their cash instead?
I'm guessing this may be one of the last very small market "old style" television stations. Rather than share healthy revenues with the other stations, KOHD may simply scratch and claw for declining dollars and hasten the demise of them all.
And, as for all that money in Bend---how accessible is it?
Folks moving to Bend are the old money and big money types. Private jets, BMW's, etc---but largely older homeowners, retirees, dwellers in seasonal and second homes. Not a lot of excitement in that group for diapers and minivans. Yes, people have to feed and clothe and wait on the big money folks, but those low income service people don't have much to spend. If wealth alone were the determining factor in a successful media market then Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Vail, Colorado would have booming TV. Isn't Palm Springs a high income market? Does it thrive? You wouldn't know it based on the pay they offer broadcasters...
Since we know Clear Channel decided to shed its small market stations because they weren't profitable enough
And there lies the whole mystery. What kind of profit margins would a local, privately held company be satisfied with versus a publically traded national corporation with shareholders breathing down its neck every quarter?
I'm very interested to see what happens. There's no denying that KTVZ has made a lot of changes, and upgrades. I'm actually quite shocked at some of the improvements. KOHD is coming in with something new, fresh, and exciting (at least at the beginning). The question will be if KOHD can actually put on a superior newscast to KTVZ.
Unfortunately, KOHD had the opportunity to hire reporters/anchors with experience, but they decided to go with fresh faces. I heard that Jason Carr talked with KOHD about anchoring for them (he was working for the Chambers family at KEZI), but the station turned him down. How stupid is that? Here's a guy who grew up in Central Oregon, knows the community, developed dozens of contacts, had name and face recognition, and was well-respected in the community. I'm not saying he's Tom Brokaw or anything, but seriously? How do you turn down an opportunity to bring back a true "local" anchor who is now back in the community, but doing something else?
Also, Nina Mehlhaf, who used to anchor with Jason Carr, is now back at KTVZ. She spent the last two years at the FOX station in Sacramento, California. She, too, from what I heard, talked with KOHD about working there. Now she's at the competition. If this is any indication of how KOHD plans to compete, that's a pretty sad start!
I don't know that I would call it a "pretty sad start" just because KOHD is trying to go another direction. If you look at the way they are branding themselves, they want to be really different. I think people might be more willing to look the other way of the two sided coin of hiring ex-local talent. On one side, people know them, recognize them and identify with people that they are used to seeing in their market in previous years. On the other side, it might look like KOHD is playing clean up crew if they hired a bunch of former Bend TV staff to run their show. Their branding says "we want to be really different," so I think hiring all new talent was probably a good idea. Besides, who says you have to have talent people recognize to be able to compete? Sure it may help in some situations, but there is also a valid reason to hire brand new.
With the direction Bend TV news has headed in the last 18 months or so, can you blame KOHD for trying to distance themselves as much as possible? Bring in some fresh people who can build credibility from scratch, compared to the local talent pool who often start in the negatives on the credibility scale.
Nina Mehlhaf is a serious upgrade to the 'look of Central Oregon' that's for sure.
I have been watching news reporting in Bend for 17 years and have been repeatedly
disappointed to see the talent disappear to larger, better paying, opportunities
elsewhere. Kudos to Z21 for welcoming back one of our hometown stars!
Looks like the fun will begin Wedneday 9/26 on KOHD.
At least that's what their latest PR release says.
Should be interesting.
BTW.....Nina Melholf has raised the bar at KTVZ. She comes back to Bend more polished and professional than when she left. KOHD eat your heart out!
KOHD started their local news this morning, can we get a new thread on that to see what everyone thought?
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KTVZ... is that cable access?