KNWA Tops at 10pm

Source: Northwest Arkansas Business Journal KNWA was the leader during the 10 p.m. newscast in Northwest Arkansas for the month of November, according to data compiled by Nielsen Media Research.

KHBS+ (the ABC affiliate which includes KHBS, Channel 40 in Fort Smith, and KHOG, Channel 29 in Fayetteville) had a 6.6 rating at 10 p.m. for Washington, Benton and Madison counties combined, or the Northwest Arkansas market.

NBC affiliate KNWA had an 8 rating during the same time slot, up from a 5.5 rating in May. KFSM, Channel 5 had a 6 rating.

KHBS+ was the winner during the earlier evening time slots in Northwest Arkansas.

Roberts Leaves KARK

Arkansas TV News can confirm that KARK anchor Barbara Roberts has resigned and will not be returning to the station following maternity leave. Roberts' last day on the air at KARK was August 15,2006.

Former Clear Channel Exec to Head Group of Stations Bought From NYTC

Source: PR NewsWire Oak Hill Capital Partners ("Oak Hill") announced today that it has named Randy Michaels as CEO of Local TV, LLC, and Robert ("Bobby") Lawrence has been named President & COO. Local TV, LLC was formed by Oak Hill to acquire the Broadcast Media Group, consisting of nine network-affiliated television stations and related properties, from the New York Times Company.

Oak Hill said it intends to build a broader media platform under the leadership of Michaels and Lawrence.

"Randy is a visionary and a great motivator," said J. Taylor Crandall, a Managing Partner of Oak Hill. "He has a strong track record of outstanding broadcast management, content development and engineering. We are confident that Randy and Bobby, who are long-time partners, will bring innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit to the television industry. We are excited to have them on board."

"The New York Times properties are high quality, heritage stations that are well positioned for future growth," said Randy Michaels. "Our most important role is to support our management and employees in creating strong, locally appealing news and content and serving the needs of our advertising customers and communities. We also have our eyes on the rapid changes that are occurring in the television industry. Local TV will be on the leading edge of change as the industry evolves. We are excited to work with the group's outstanding employees. I am confident they are up for the challenging and creative approach we will bring to this business."

"Oak Hill is a tremendous equity partner," said Bobby Lawrence. "They are committed to giving us the capital and flexibility we need to support this acquisition and our future expansion initiatives. The New York Times Broadcast Media Group is a superb platform."

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2007.

Channel 11 Hires Another Backpack Journalist

Arkansas Business.com is reporting that former Little Rock PR man Charles Crowson has been hired by KTHV as its second backpack journalist. Crowson leaves AB.com reports that Crowson's wife, Aryana, also works at KTHV as a THV 2 anchor.

KTBS Up and Blogging

Blogs are now a part of KTBS.com. There are weather, news, sports, Mardi Gras and Health blogs. You'll find the all HERE.

KSLA Hires Another VJ

Newsblues reported earlier this week, "Tania Francois, an assignment editor at Post-Newsweek's WPLG-10-ABC in Miami (Market #16), has joined Raycom's KSLA-12-CBS in Shreveport (Market #81) as a video journalist. She becomes the station's third video journalist, joining Elbony Wilcott and Sara Gouedy.

KLRT News at Five Here We Come

The speculation is over at which evening time slot KLRT will insert an evening newscast. Arkansas Business.com reports KLRT GM Chuck Spohn says it will be at 5pm. The article says KLRT is adding eight new employees. The newscast is set to debut this spring and will be an hour long.

NWA Bracing For Winter Storm

Northwest Arkansas is bracing for the first winter storm of the season. Since I don't have access to the coverage of the channels in that part of the state, I will let ya'll be the reporters and tell us how the stations are covering this even. Leave your reports in the comments section.

KLRT Beefing Up Staff for Evening Newscast

Looks as though KLRT is readying itself for the launch of a evening newscast later this year. On the station's website, KLRT is advertising for a News Reporter, News Producer, News Associate Producer, Assignment’s Manager, Non-Linear Editor, Web Content Producer, and Production Personnel. It ought to be interesting to see how big of a hunk KLRT can pull away from the other guys.

KFSM Sold

KFSM-TV(Ft. Smith/Fayetteville) which is owned by the NY Times is being sold to Oak Hill Capital Hill Partners. The sale includes the other eight stations owned by the Times. New York Times decided to sell the broadcast group last year, so that it could focus on its newspapers and digital business.

Former LR ND to Return to Airwaves

This from today's Paper Trails column in the A D and G :

"Longtime radio and TV broadcast journalist Bob Steel, most recently a media relations consultant at Stone Ward advertising, is returning to the airwaves.

Beginning Jan. 8, he joins Neal Gladner as the new morning anchor for KARN Newsradio. The pair will host together for a while, with Gladner eventually departing to work full time in the station’s sales department. Steel isn’t completely giving up his PR work, though. He plans to launch a part-time practice soon, offering media and presentation skills training as well as some event planning."