IN ITS GLORY DAYS, KTVU was seen as not only a ratings winner but a refuge from a normal, pressure-driven TV News operation; employees referred to a "family" atmosphere and sea of tranquility.That's all out the door now since Fox took over and turned KTVU into a mass state of virtual paranoia and rampant speculation about its future and overall direction.
The newsroom is chock full of open hostility. The star talent --anchors and reporters--openly talk of how to get out. Where someone is going seems to be an everyday occurrence. Its taken a toll on trust; there used to be a person that everyone could consult with without ever having to worry about repercussions from frosty management. That person is gone now.
Keep in mind KTVU is still #1 at 10 PM but like everywhere else, viewership numbers are declining. And in that case, so is revenue. Don't think that Fox is aware of that; its gold-standard image nowhere evident, KTVU staffers come to work on edge. No wonder resumes are flooding the market and veterans and newbies alike are no longer feeling any family whatsoever in Jack London Square.
Oh please. A few of the leading ladies had their differences with the head black man going back 20+ years. "Family"...yea, right. Thanks for the comedy today.
ReplyDeleteLocal news is a sinking ship, and the people in charge are in a race to the bottom. Woe be to anybody who's spent 20+ years building a career in it.
ReplyDelete> Don't think that Fox is aware of that;
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure they are aware of that. Who'd think differently?
Any time any workplace of any kind says they're "family", they're full of shit.
ReplyDeleteExactly....
DeleteI live in Nevada, too. All the SFBayArea tv news stations are all higher quality than what's broadcast in the Reno area. We should all expect excellence, however. Think of any SFBayArea station's worst news broadcast and Reno area's will be worse.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough career in the TV news field involving: getting hired; staying employed; getting a livable salary; and then there's just plain employee happiness vs. his/her employer.
There is no shame in getting a public-relations/media/public-info-officer job somewhere instead for those who've been able to make that jump. Once in a while, I'll see someone representing an entity on the air and they'll look so much more relaxed and comfortable, maybe even happier (e.g. Siravo, De La Vega, Kato, etc.)
KTVU, used to have just ONE Newscast, The Ten O'clock News!!!! That was it!!!
ReplyDeleteRL's Firm frustrations can be felt at Oakland City Hall, where they and the rest of Oakland's citizens, even if they badly want to, cannot do a thing about this horrific juggernaut, a network that does indeed mix hard, strong mainstream news veterans with extremist commentators, and mix way too good to a point where this country is nowhere near as united as it wants to be, only more divided. The Firm's successful nationwide division makes Oaklanders sick to their stomach. Nothing short of a million citywide outcry will change it.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it's the left with their identity politics that divides us the most.
Delete