SOON AFTER FOX AQUIRED KTVU I was asked by the San Jose Merc if there would be any big change of the venerable Oakland station.I was wrong.
My feelings were based on two different entities --the editorial leanings of conservative Fox News Channel versus the straight business model of News Corporation, which owns and runs the Fox Media empire.
I told Chuck Barney:
"People should realize that Fox, the network, has nothing to do with the Fox News Channel, which is just one of the many tentacles in Rupert Murdoch's (News Corp.) company," "Initially, at least, I don't think viewers will notice any difference at all. The newscasts will look the same as they did yesterday and the day before."
A KTVU employee agreed with me:
"The reality is that we've been a Fox station for many years and yet the Fox News division has not been an intrusion on our news programming in any shape or form."
In fact, an almost entire transformation has taken place before our very eyes and ears. Not so much editorially speaking, but a definitive look and format has been instituted --some of it works, some of it doesn't.
KTVU, as I've said here many times has become FOXifed. What was once a TV News journalistic giant has quickly turned into a broadcast fortress that is nothing like its predecessor; a slight variation of "Happy Talk"; more stories; flashier graphics; a huge variation away from local news with more of an emphasis on flair and glare; Many new reporters and anchors, like this one.
Frankly, I'm still amazed how much Fox has changed KTVU and in such a short time. While the ratings are still generally good (as they were when Fox took over in October, 2014) KTVU itself is a different breed altogether --so many new reporters; so many new looks and themes; some of which hardly resembles that of a TV News operation.
Yes, they've slaughtered the brand. They (Fox) can point to the great numbers in the morning and at 10 O'clock --and they're right. But they won't tell you about a significant decrease in viewership. They will not tell you about how the product seems to have marginalized, on all platforms.
*A few days ago I told you about imminent anchor changes; it's taking place. I like some of the new additions on the anchor desk but I'm still skeptical about other off-the-air issues. It has changed the entire culture at KTVU and made for a building filled with unease and massive angst.
*BIG RUMOR: Could one of KTVU's BIGGEST star anchors be on the outs? It's someone you would never even think was touchable but think again...then again, this person's ouster would have to overcome several roadblocks. You should know more soon.
*MOVING ON TO OTHER FRONTS--
*You would think that Gary Radnich, the Sports Director of KRON (at least in theory); would attend the afternoon Steph Curry MVP Press Conference in Oakland, but as usual, Radnich was AWOL probably riding the Bentley in West Portal. Radnich has too much overhead, (he says) to care about such mundane things like Steph Curry. *Veteran Bay Area FM personality, Jack Kulp (late of KOIT) has a new gig; he's co-hosting the new Morning Show on the new 98.1 "The Breeze." Great for Kulp, a seasoned professional and good guy too.
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| Jack Kulp |
*So, Kenny Choi was brought in from Hawaii to take over for Frank Mallicoat who was brought in to take over for John Kessler; seems KPIX has no idea what its doing in the morning.
Haven't we been here before?
And pretty soon, Choi will be packing his bags too and they'll bring in some guy from Cleveland.
Is that any way to run a news operation? I guess the answer is yes because the knuckleheads that are responsible for this are still employed.
*So I guess if you talk about your penis every other day and blurt out bathroom humor; giggle like a little girl, you'll get hired by KNBR. Way to maintain the company morale, Justin. Keep that intuitive hiring strategy going and you'll be the next Mike McVay.
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1. Radnich would have to drive over to Oakland to cover the presser.
ReplyDelete2. He would have to actually do some work.
Back in the early 90's, I saw Radnich pull into the A's parking lot in a red Jaguar. He actually had to go to the Coliseum and do work for a change. Bet he hated it. Can't stand the prick. Him and Fitz are my least liked sports guys.
DeleteHmph...Tardnich was probably at Toys R Us getting a new pair of Romper Stompers. Fat Ass.
ReplyDeleteI only wear labels
Delete"*You would think that Gary Radnich, the Sports Director of KRON..."
ReplyDeleteHe's a sports director???? Always thought he was simply the sports guy at KRON. The one who relies on Darya for stats and background. Explains why she had to clue him in on what happened at Steph's presser.
I don't care for Radnich, don't find him entertaining or interesting. That said, what would going to that press conference have added to either of his shows? Was every sports personality in the Bay Area there? no.
ReplyDeleteMegalomaniac Gary is much too important to be wasting his personal time on a mere athlete or sporting event.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm so over Steph Curry. He's been "Beyonnced" to death. Enough already.
Delete@2:43
DeleteBitter 'cause your team was bounced from the season early?
BTW, no one was or is more exposed than Bron.
I knew that Kenny "Bok Choy" wouldn't be able to carry the KPIX Morning News. That's what happens when you hire a YES Man Asian Man. Strong dominant white males make the best anchors...NUFF SAID!
ReplyDeleteTo 12:50PM, it's too bad you can hide behind an anonymous posting. You don't have the balls to make that racist, ignorant and stupid comment with your name and profile picture next to it.
DeleteAnd, you don't have them to call him " ... racist, ignorant and stupid ..."
DeleteOMG We are going to have more Gasia - 24 hours of Gasia! I'm going to have to send Fox some Beano!
ReplyDeleteThere's not enough Pepto in all of Armenia.
DeleteAs you've said, this free-fall is pretty typical of all network owned-and-operated stations, and much the same thing is sadly happening at KPIX and KGO: a dumbing-down with network-mandated graphics and look. ( I bet KPIX's old "Westinghouse: - style logo will soon be replaced by a generic one) Maybe it's a more bitter pill to swallow regarding KTVU because it things changed so little for so long. It's true -- each time ratings are taken it shows that fewer people are watching up and down the dial.
ReplyDeleteGroup W bought CBS. They changed their name to CBS.
DeleteThat KTVU employee is really stupid Rich, and shame on you for missing the distinction between between being a Fox affiliate (KTVU 1993-2014) and a Fox O&O from October 2014 to present day. KTVU was stripped down by deregulation in 2001, and it has only gotten worse. half the day is now local news that is heavy on weather, traffic, copter shots, entertainment news and stories about animals or missing wedding rings. Reporters and on air personalities are lucky in at least they have relatively high paying jobs...the people behind the scenes are being eliminated or working in crappier conditions. Anyone on air is just playing out the string and collecting nice sized paychecks, and doing what they're told.
ReplyDeleteAtleast Gasia is pretty to look at. Who does KPIX have in the morning to look at? No one. I think all of the AM women weigh more than Kenny.
ReplyDeleteGriego is like 3 ft tall. The only thing heavy about her is how she makes your eyelids feel when she reads the news.
DeleteRich, I've got to quibble with you on this point: " a slight variation of "Happy Talk"; more stories; flashier graphics". No, no on more stories. Fewer stories and more than half are recycled from 3-5 days prior. (The murdered public defender story has been brought up every-single-day since last week. I think we've got it. More weather (no work to fill the air) and traffic (check the CHP website), and self promoting of some show broadcast later in the evening. Its not news anymore, its an info dump.
ReplyDeleteYep. They re-run stories on weekends that they did during the week.
DeleteAnd they eat up a lot of story time chit-chatting. And not just about news but any old thing. Rather than hire another writer to provide more scripts, the anchors just do happy talk with Bill Martin or Ibañez.
DeleteMore likely cruising the Tenderloin in the Bentley.
ReplyDeleteIs that the Chuck Barney, the guy who does the TV stuff in my East Bay Times? Been meaning to tell him all the Bigfoot shows, where they go into the mountains, yell and scream, then bang on trees with sticks, should be on the Comedy channel!
ReplyDeleteYep! With the "Paranormal Explorers."
DeleteI haven't seen Kenny Choi so I have no opinion about his quality, but all these racist comments on here are disturbing. What does his ethnicity have to do with whether he's good or not? No wonder so many people who read Lieberman are Trump supporters. Racism sure isn't dead.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you can call them "tits," I will " ... call a spade a spade." Why be politically correct about one and not the other.
DeleteThere is nothing that any of us could do or say that would change managements view of a employee they plan to out. No one is asked. I would say that Claudine Wong is one of the best employees at KTVU. I have never understood why she doesn't get more airtime.
ReplyDeleteDave Clark is good as well. He has lessen the happy talk but it still happens. I see no reason why happy talk should be a part of a newscast. I bet that network management can give reasons why happy talk works.
Let us hope that everyone remains employed but I know that will not happen.
I am still trying to calm my stomach; did another commenter say...*cringe*...MORE GASIA IS PLANNED?!?!?
ReplyDeleteThat woman YELLS!!! It's so obvious the seal is barking loudly for as much fish as she can get.
Daryia may be a bit plastic, and sadly trying to hold onto youth...which of us (doesn't) attempt that? However, she has valid comments (at times). They may be "crappy talk" indeed, and they (KRON, Pero)seem to enjoy having her pose while any other woman is there (*see younger, hotter), and forgive the run on, but Gasia is absolutely clueless, and the most obnoxious female anchor I've seen
I switched to KRON to avoid her phony voices raising, and illogical emphasis.
I also agree with the person who praised Claudine and Dave!
Dave earned more respect from me, the morning he actually told Gasia to "slow down."
Don't understand all the racist crap on here, but I say, let idiots show their colors...only making asses...ASSES of themselves.