I'M HEARING KCBS has a very bad morale issue in the newsroom; staff can't stand the way the all-news station is being run. At the top of the list is new News Boss, Jennifer Seelig. She's got a lot of people ticked off despite a glowing piece in the Chronicle that was essentially a press release by good, old BFT (what else is new?)
The direction of the station seems to have become a central issue and longtime staffers are aghast at how Seelig is injecting more personality at the outlet. That's not necessarily a bad idea although KCBS' staple is hard-core news and information. If there's extra crispy giggling and chatter then we have a problem. The ratings are still good but have taken a dramatic downturn of late. I'd attribute that to the news presentation which is noticeably different. Way too much chirpiness and laughter and anchors talking just for talking sake. That's not in the KCBS brand and it appears the rank and file are upset and wondering what the hell is going on.
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| Jennifer Seelig |
A broadcast exec familiar with the situation tells me bluntly:
I still like KCBS; on almost all occasions when there's breaking news it's the first outlet I go to. They have good reporters and Doug Sovern is great on politics."She's (Seelig) running it like an entertainment station and not a 'news station." "And that's wrecking it; instead of maintaining KCBS in its proper form she's tinkering with it. It doesn't need to be tinkered with."
There are other things that I don't like. The anchors seem to think they're comedians at times. The interviews on the phone tend to be weak.
THIS is a major irritant: the frequent beginning of an interview from Susan Leigh Taylor with "Good Morning...and then a second of dead air. Taylor, the morning anchor, is better now but she still does this constantly and it's annoying. In addition, the almost daily, "I saw a bit of rain on my windshield" has become an industry joke. If Seelig wanted to really fix something quick, she outta tell Taylor to cease from that BS quickly.
The bitching and moaning in the newsroom is Seelig's first major challenge; any good boss with half a brain knows if the natives are grumbling you call a meeting and gather the boys and girls to air their beef(s).
The question at KCBS is will anyone listen.
Stop with "KCBS news time" every 10 seconds! People have clocks! I must be the only one that hates the damn sports replays from marble mouth Steve Bitker. It's only getting worse. They all do it now and no need for sports every 30 minutes!!
ReplyDeleteI remember the Good Ol’ Days, when Men were Men, and Jim Eason would short out McElhatton’s Pacemaker with a Brillo Pad.
DeleteOe Amazing Grace...
Good work as per usual. Way to call out Benny Fong. He's a shrill, plain and simple. KCBS needs to do more investigative reporting. Features like that will break up the constant repeat of the same stuff every hour. They should focus on that instead of the happy talk BS.
ReplyDeleteBFT needs to retire, like yesterday. The sports replays is too much now...
ReplyDelete.... anchors that think they're comidians ?? Go to 810am for a while,nothing screams change the station louder then second rate "C" list stand up comics who's prime has come gone twice. Are ya listening Chipster ??
ReplyDeleteBFT is certainly predictable, but a "shrill"????? and even more amusing, "a shrill, plain and simple" Do you know how funny that is?
ReplyDeleteShill
DeleteWhat's wrong with KCBS? Nothing. Yes, its the same stories repeated every 60 to 70 minutes and yes, there is some personality injected in to the delivery of the news. SO WHAT, if you want hard news, if you want "if you give us 22 minutes and we'll give you the world," take it somewhere else. The presentation and execution of the format is great and a good example is on the weekends; Culross and Bristow should be on during the week.
ReplyDelete> Yes, its the same stories repeated every 60 to 70 minutes...
DeleteTry every 6 to 7.
The two tools an editor uses most at KCBS: a stapler and the Xerox machine.
ReplyDeleteI guess we are witnessing changes here and there from Entercom management...I see also yesterday May 1st they flipped the switch from the 1550 AM signal to simulcast KGMZ 95.7 from the FM signal...
ReplyDeleteAt least BFT did call out Seelig for not answering any of his questions.
ReplyDeleteAlso, very sad to hear of Dave Wiegand's passing. Nice summation on SFgate.
KCBS is about as bad as that poor woman talking about her #2.
ReplyDeleteLook in the bowl. That #3 is KCBS
Sports clown this morning played a clip from the Price is Right because a sports celebrity was on it.No, I am NOT making it up!
ReplyDelete