Oregon Media Insiders

Speaking of meltdowns..... Have you seen KEZI lately??

I am aware of a couple other times when KMTR had "technical difficulties" causing them to have to alter their news programming. I know they basically have a computerized newscast. I don't know if they have the Ignite system or something similar, but I do know their news is basically run by one person in the control room keeping an eye on a computer that is doing the work. The two other times I have seen this type of glitch they had to flip-flop the local and national newscasts.

Remember the days of director, technical director, audio guy/gal, tape guy/gal, floor director, camera ops...

What is the meltdown at KEZI? They once owned the market...

And yes, KMTR is as close to automated as you can get for a live, local cast.

Are we talking about what's going on inside the newsroom or on the airwaves? Yes, they're beginning to experience the same chaos that's affecting every other operation in the country.

Like the article over on Lost Remote says, "U.S. media companies cut 17,809 jobs in 2006, up 88 percent over the year before, and the cost-cutting shows no signs of slowing."

KEZI may be getting their shows on the air with fewer people, but at least they're not missing deadlines...yet.

KMTR's ongoing problem seems to be with the ever-failing edius system. As far as their newscasts...best in the market when they are on. KEZI...the Rick "My Own Private" Dancer show is boorish and tired. KVAL? Anchors too old and tired looking.

Eugene has always been a market where up and comers move through. However, it is big enough where atleast a couple of years commercial experience should be required. BTW, when I lived in Eugene in the late 90's and early 00's, KEZI was known as the "blonde" channel. Seemed that 90% of the female anchors and reporters were blonde. Coincidence? Probably more a personal preference of management. :)

kmtr over the last 2 years has cut staff and kept many staff members who are not up to ability/skills to be in a newsroom. Management is the key problem behind its woes. Lost opportunities because of the news director and general manager.

Anchors are quality, but no staff to put on a product. Watch our news its all national, international,ap, and police mug shots. Producer only needed to put together,no field crews. Rarely a live shot, rarely anything in depth coverage. KMTR had the chance a couple years back to overtake the competitiion, but poor management missed the boat.

Look at the general manager, Cambra Ward, for most of the reasons for lost chances. She's in over her head, once a nice gal, but woefully not qualified to run a competitive, fast paced business such as tv news. News Director words can never be trusted, he's burned most everyone with two face conversations.

KEZI has gone young and it shows. To bad, it's always had strong talent but pushed them out over the past 2 years.
KVAL the strongest product right now.

KMTR because of automation and lack of staff just can't compete and us staff here just accept it for what it is. I use to love working at kmtr, the underdog, but now I just keep my head low and watch managers hold us back with acceptance as the way it is. I'll leave when the time is right. My choice, I know, I know. Check cashes, and actually Clear Channels benefits aren't bad.

Does anyone know why the KEZI news director left?

I was told that Al Peterson was fired for something that he said on the air. So what!!!!! This is Eugene-Springfield, for crying out loud!
we loved Al Peterson, he was a great asset to Kezi. Most of the new news people that they now have aren't very good. We really don't really have any decent newscasts in this area. I loved to watch the news, but not anymore!!! Thank you Lill Sweeney

Al was apparently told by someone at the top that he was let go for budget reasons. His salary could cover the cost of two rookies and they figured two cheap bodies are better than one that's way more experienced but pricier. If he said something wrong we'd have heard about it.

Al Peterson was the reason we watched KEZI in the AM. I hope some good station somewhere picked him up!

Switched from KEZI to KPIC for my morning news--after Al Peterson left...well, I couldn't take it anymore. Much happier now! Too bad they can't get a better morning news program together. It's not worth watching; not enough news...just fluff.

So glad to see Al back on the air this week at KVAL. I've changed my morning news channel, no more KEZI.
Still miss Kerri Stewart thou.
Does anyone know where she's going to?

Al was the only reason I watched AM network news. When he left I started to watch KMTR even though I liked Kerri alot,(it was a protest thing). KMTR is okay, but thier network news afterwords features Matt "Loudmouth" Lowrer and I'd rather puke my guts out and snorkel through it than here his opinion.
When I saw Al's smiling face the other morning while channel surfing I about fell out of my chair. I am now a KVAL fan and AL is the best period. NUFF SAID!!

I realy enjoyed watching the news when Al Peterson and Keri were together, They were not so uptight and put some fun in watching the news. I to have started watching KMTR.