And the mood inside the newsroom among the rank and file has never been more morose, (after a mostly few months of relative calm)
Some news: (from a Channel 2 insider with knowledge of the state of the station.)
*Both the reporters and writers AFTRA contract is up in October and according to a source: "KTVU rejected our request for a federal mediator. Right now, it's tense here. Could be a lot of fun at 2 JLS."
*As I have reported in previous posts, the unusually fluid departure of many of the veteran reporters is cause for concern, (part of ND, 'Special Ed' Chapuis' new go-young strategy?) The insider disagrees, to a point:...
"Yes, as for people leaving, a little overblown but make no mistake the changes in the newsroom do not sit well with many of the people who know how to do good journalism. A lot of the recent hires have been younger people with not a whole lot of experience. There will be more attrition, but the thing the station has going for it is people really don't have any choice when it comes to work options. Either you get out entirely or you make the jump to CNN. How many people would make the switch from the best place to live in the US to Atlanta? Not many. It's been done and all the people I can think of worked at KTVU."
Some analysis: While KTVU's 10 O'Clock News continues to dominate the ratings, its news blocks at 5 and 6 PM are significantly lower in overall viewers; KGO, and notably, KPIX lead the pack at that part of the day. (A longtime station staffer asks: "Are they over-working Frank Somerville?"--legitimate question)
*Some of Channel 2's more veteran staff have told me, (off the record,) that the stations' (Chapuis') recent hire of younger, ("over-energized reporters") with a style not consistent with the usual no-nonsense KTVU model is a bit disturbing.
Indeed, I noticed a new guy, (reporter, Eric Rasmussen) recently did a live shot from a barren Walnut Creek land parcel was so high-strung I thought his brain would pop any moment. And his cameraman went out of the way to do a lot of "up-close", animated shots, (looked more like a PIX report rather than 2. Weird.
Don't think that didn't receive a lot of catcalls among the vets.
*With McVay leaving, what's the impact on the immediate future? Short term, nothing. There was speculation that Chapuis wanted the GM gig, but that's going to Tom Raponi, former Sales Mgr.
With the trend toward more younger staff, I can only hope that longtime ace reporter, Rita Williams, (among others) is left alone and allowed to carry on her usual first-rate duties. On the other hand, the way things are going over there, nothing would shock me.
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Don't mess with Rita. She's the best!
ReplyDeleteLove the first response comment. As for the rest of KTVU, Chapuis must go ASAP, or the ugliness that Rich described could turn into at least one publicized scream if not more. Chapuis is clearly destroying any positive vibe that may exist at FOX-2. The Channel 2 insider may say it's overblown, but if I remember correctly, Rich said that one Chapuis lackey if not Chapuis himself rankled Bill Martin enough to make Martin furious and blow up. That's not overblown. That means teamwork is laboring at best. It has definitely not been the same since the station's greatest personality retired 3 Mays ago. Heck, it could date even further back when Channel 2 had to relinquish the Giants because of its 'Idol' obligations. A sad shame!
ReplyDeleteI don't watch KTVU too much but when I do, I find that the reporters don't know what city they are in. Rita being one of the reporters who comes to mind. Maybe its time for KTVU to give up its Fox affiliation and become an indy again. Fox then buys KRON and makes it a real station again!
ReplyDeleteRadar
Why should KTVU be treated in such a "special" manner? These changes have benn (and continue to be) the trend at so many stations regardless of market size. Can't think of why KTVU would be immune.
ReplyDeleteAll bay area tv is weak. switch from channel to channel and all is the same. until a station makes the 'bold' move to try something else, stand out, spend some cash on an upgraded look and feel, it does not really matter. who cares if a GM leaves? Who cares if a news director leaves? The new ones will just follow the same formula because it is too risky to the bottom line when they are already making money.
ReplyDeleteOne last point...give me Darya, Julie Hogan, and that weather person on NBC that Mr. Media drools over, put a new wrapping on them and ratings will skyrocket.
You can't blame Rasmussen for being high-strung. Walnut Creek is a dangerous place. (rolls eyes)
ReplyDeleteThe person who feeds Rich info is an old, tired newsroom staffer who can always be heard saying "it's just not the same anymore." Yes, we get it. Now will you please stop being so bitter? This is the same person who tells "special Ed" jokes too. Come on. We all know who you are. You're same person who is upset because the station doesn't run 2:30 packages anymore and because the consultants come to town. The same person who is upset because we don't have many for your pet "special project." Guess what? The news room will never be the same as when Fred Zender was running the place. It's 2011 not 1991. The business has changed for better or worse. Stop whining.
ReplyDeleteKTVU is a good station in an ever changing news environment.