NightBeat or 'Nightmare'? Early Spin Grim on KPIX 10 PM CW Newscast

*It's only been three days, but "seems like a year."


*KPIX staffer: "We have a lot of work to do."


*"Too many gimmicks", laments another.


*Nightbeat is too early to write off and PIX, good or bad, will eventually tweak it.


And it does need tweaking by God.


Enough, for instance, of two-minute slicks--stick to basics and don't be so cute. And please, mucho softo on the social media minutia --KISS: Keep it short and simple.


Veronica: Less urgency, more relaxed, just an opinion ...


*Developing...


*Follow me on Twitter


*Tips/E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com


Note: Rich Lieberman and 415 Media are not responsible for opinions or comments made by others on this website.

KPIX/KBCW Set To Launch New 10 PM Show Monday; De La Cruz To Anchor Solo; New Newscast Tries To Attract Younger Demo

After a months-long delay, KPIX is set to launch its much-anticipated 10 PM newscast this Monday on its sister CW station, KBCW. It will be titled: Bay Area Night Beat. (Creative).


Finally.


We've been waiting.


The show, as we noted here, will focus on attracting a younger audience. Therefore, expect a lot of what's trending on Twitter and Facebook updates.


PIX knows it can't beat KTVU with its ratings-leading, "10 O'clock News", but that's not its intention.


PIX is attempting to attract a percentage of viewers; younger, (A18-49), mobile; those that have smartphones and live by the web.


The irony: those in that segment are likely not watching local TV News.


The show will be anchored by Veronica De La Cruz.


*Follow me on Twitter


*415 Media and Rich Lieberman are not responsible for comments or opinions posted by others on this web site.

KPIX Launches New Newscast on Duopoly KBCW; 10 PM Show Will Go After Younger Audience; Monday Night Debut

KPIX's duopoly station, KBCW, (KPIX sister outlet on the CW Network), launches a new newscast on Monday Night at 10 PM. The program will be anchored by Veronica De La Cruz, who also co-anchors KPIX 6 PM newscast. 

De La Cruz has been anchoring only the 6 PM news this week as station officials have been dialing down the set and finalizing programming chits on the new show.


PIX has a simple strategy with this new venture: they acknowledge KTVU is still king at that time slot with its signature, ratings-dominant "Ten O'clock News".  They're not going to challenge 2 for overall viewers --simply impossible.


What they are trying to do is to capture a younger audience; the 18-49 demo coveted by advertisers as a prime buying entity. How successful, (or not), the venture becomes is anyone's guess but PIX is devoting a lot of manpower and analytics to the newscast, with more stories catered to the younger crowd, a quicker, shorter pace with an emphasis on health, sports, pop culture and the like. I'm guessing you're going to see a lot of music videos and entertainment features. Lite faire with some heady mixture-- something interesting to grab 10 seconds from an Amy in Pleasanton or Jack in Mill Valley.


Of course the usual top news of the day, breaking news, and sports and weather will be a part of the program but both the look and feel of the show will be readily different from the other "traditional" newscasts.


Experiments like this do not create winners overnight and I'm sure the powers-that-be over at 855 Battery are aware of that. Word is that this is not a short-term project and that KPIX is in it for the long haul. They'll be helped by the CW Network's younger audience as a lead-in and hope, with an emerging presence like De La Cruz that their 10 PM missive can ultimately carve a small, but loyal and younger viewership --or at least a whole of lot folks not glued to the Internet watching a Netflix offering.


*Follow me on Twitter