KNWA Adds Noon Newscast
Source: KNWA Press Release KNWA-TV will expand its news coverage by offering “Arkansas at Noon” weekdays at Noon beginning Monday, September 10th.. “As our area continues to expand, so do we. This 30 minute show will highlight the news from the entire state of Arkansas as well as top stories from right here in Northwest Arkansas,” commented Blake Russell, KNWA-TV Vice President and General Manager. “Arkansas is a wonderful place to live. Many of our viewers are interested in news and weather from throughout The Natural state. We’ve found a way to create a show that delivers a unique news product that you can’t get anywhere else.”Arkansas at Noon will feature local news and weather and offer a travel forecast for the entire state. Another interesting feature of Arkansas at Noon will be “Dialing for Dollars” where news talent will pick a phone number and call it live on the air. The caller must know the predetermined “Count” and “Amount” shown on the screen. If they do, they win! “Many central Arkansas transplants to the Northwest corner of the state are very familiar with this game. I have been amazed by the number of people who have been excited about us bringing it to Northwest Arkansas and The River Valley,” stated Blake Russell.
“This is a great opportunity for us to be the first and only station in our area to do something like this – and even more important – to give our viewers the option of watching a newscast that covers the entire state, “said Scott Pickey, KNWA-TV News Director. “So many people in Northwest Arkansas are from the Little Rock area – or travel back and forth – so I think there’s a strong interest in what’s going on all over Arkansas.
Arkansas at Noon will be anchored by Kelly George in Northwest Arkansas; and Melissa Simas and Meteorologist Mike Francis in Central Arkansas.
posted by ATN @ 12:58 PM
69 comments
69 Comments:
Sounds like KARK will be doing most of the work here. Interesting.
Dialing for dollars?? Do they lack confidence that their news product can draw viewers on its own or what?
You must not have evr heard about the longest running success in the entire state for many years. 4 has been doing Dialing for Dollars longer than you have been alive. It's the most recognized product in the state.
Seemingly a good move on the part of KNWA. "Dialing for Dollars" is the jewel in the tiny, tiny KARK crown, and could probably give KNWA the highest overall DMA rating in that timeslot.
Unfortunately, the show will 85%-90% Little Rock news... fluff Little Rock news at that... not much draw there, especially considering there will still be no River Valley news.
I see it going three ways.
1) KARK continues to dominate LR at noon, and KNWA gets a big pop at a timeslot that they're currently nonexistant.
2) KARK continues to dominate and KNWA gets a slight boost... maybe actually pulling a 1 DMA wide at noon.
3) KARK actually loses viewers since their chances to win cash go down now that the program is "statewide."
Are they really adding a newscast when it will be KARK doing the newscast?
3) KARK actually loses viewers since their chances to win cash go down now that the program is "statewide."
Actually the number of viewers will go up as KARK dials viewers from their "viewing area" and always have. Everyone knows that.
Dialing for Dollars was big in 1968 and will be big another 40 year from now.
Yeah, hey, that's really neat. "Dialing for Dollars" - what a wonderful gimmick. And to have a news anchor, ostensibly a journalist doing this is ridiculous. It doesn't matter how long or how popular its been, it straight up unethical and no journalist should be doing it, unless it's something for charity. Again, another sign of the weakness of those who call themselves journalists at that station, and the result of non-journalists running a "news" operation. Pathetic.
Oh Geez, 7:01 - it's Dialing for Dollars for crying out loud! KARK has done this since Tom Bonner and Dave Woodman were in diapers. The journalists actually don't dial - it's typically whomever is doing the weather. My grandmother and even my mother religiously write down the 'count' and 'amount' every noon-time. It's been a noontime tradition in this market for nearly 1/2 a century.
When KARK really needs ratings (i.e. November sweeps) they Dial for Thousands - chill out!
6:02 PM Anonymous said...
Actually the number of viewers will go up as KARK dials viewers from their "viewing area" and always have. Everyone knows that.
If that's the case, which I agree with you, it will be, then this will do exactly dick for KNWA.
People tune in on the off chance that they could win some cash. Once it's clear no one in NWA/RV is getting dialed... no one will watch.
And, I have to admit, as good as it may be for ratings, giving people money to watch your newscast is pretty sleazy. No matter how long you've been doing it.
is the noon weather guy straight?
Once it's clear no one in NWA/RV is getting dialed... no one will watch.
Once again, the listed phone numbers of the viewers in the viewing area WILL be in the squirrel cage. Hence, they could be called.
of course he is straight. he's married with kids.
Like it not, and I do not, Dialing for Dollars is just a homey,non offensive gimmick. Big deal.
More important is the fact that KARK is supposed to be Local, and now they are sharing a local newscast with NWA? I don't get it but I am certain this will be LESS than successful for both markets. Is KARK moving the noon news time slot?
Many of our viewers are interested in news and weather from throughout The Natural state. We’ve found a way to create a show that delivers a unique news product that you can’t get anywhere else.” (from the original post)
give me a break. They found a way to save money. Nothing wrong with covering the state, it's still local, but if they didn't own the station in NWA, it's not like they'd be looking for a partner station to do this with anyway. It's all about the money, and when you always put that before the quality of the product, then viewers will turn away. Just watch, or don't watch.
Kelly George & Melissa Simas for lunch each day on the tube? mmm mmm good!!
"giving people money to watch your newscast is pretty sleazy. No matter how long you've been doing it."
Well, how about charging people money to run their spots during a newscast? What is the difference?
Like it not, and I do not, Dialing for Dollars is just a homey,non offensive gimmick. Big deal.
It's a gimmick that other stations wish they had.
Again, another sign of the weakness of those who call themselves journalists at that station, and the result of non-journalists running a "news" operation. Pathetic.
like you wouldn't give up your ramen noodles for some of that sweet sweet candy.
12:04 PM:
Well, how about charging people money to run their spots during a newscast? What is the difference?
Tell me you aren't serious.
"We're in the business of keeping you safe and informed... plus If you watch us, there's a slight chance you could win some cash!" and "I'm a company, I'd like to pay for you to run ads for my business during specific, obvious points in your newscast" isn't in the same ball park. Hell, it's not even the same sport.
It's a business with a cause not a cause trying to do a little business.
They lose in the morning. They lose at 5. Those two losing newscasts will now be sandwiched around a losing noon newscast.
Dialing for dollars must explain why KARK is such a power in the Little Rock market I guess. Oh wait, they aren't...
...Does anyone have the count and amount?
i love the jealousy on this website. come on people...just because it's not your idea doesn't mean you ahve to thrash it!
"I'm a company, I'd like to pay for you to run ads for my business during specific, obvious points in your newscast" isn't in the same ball park. Hell, it's not even the same sport."
Please pay attention this time. The tv stations will not, repeat, will not air a weather warning during a news show. Now tell me you understand. How long have you been in the business?
8:19 PM Please pay attention this time. The tv stations will not, repeat, will not air a weather warning during a news show. Now tell me you understand. How long have you been in the business?
I have personally participated in wall-to-wall weather coverage that superceded a regulary scheduled news cast at three different stations in this state.
I don't know what station you work at, but I hope I never do.
I already got Arkansas at Noon set to record on DVR everyday. I really think Arkansas at Noon is going to be a sucess.
"will not air a weather warning during a news show."
A weather warning is a small graphic (most often a map of the state) that is usually located in the lower left-hand side of the raster. If you ever see one, please post here and let us know.
That is something that you will not see unless the switcher is not paying any attention to what he/she is doing. No sponsor wants a weather warning over their paid spot. If you don't understand now, how did you get hired at a broadcast station?
This sounds like a smart, yet risky idea that might work. KFSM needs to step up their game with a noon show, and maybe KHOG could stay in the game with soap operas women love to watch. This might get interesting.
I would like to see KHBS-KHOG add a noon news or mid-day news.With their backing 40/29 could probably make it work.
Sounds like KARK will be doing most of the work here. Interesting.
And why not. KARK does the switching for KNWA from Little Rock, why not everything else.
And your point is?
The point is that Arkansans need more jock strap Hog coverage.
Gotta have it!
"KFSM needs to step up their game with a noon show"
KFSM already has a noon show. Where have you been??
I live in Fayetteville and could care less about Little Rock news and weather. Typical corporate thinking to stick statewide programming in a local market thinking anyone would actually watch. Why don't they show KARK's news too so we can all do that stupid 4 is number 1 hand signal.
"KFSM already has a noon show. Where have you been??"
No, a REAL noon show. Have you seen it?
" Why don't they show KARK's news too so we can all do that stupid 4 is number 1 hand signal."
They did...all they had from KNWA was Kelly George for about 3 mins.the graphics for the weather said 4cast (shouldn't have said arkansascast?) and the dialing for dollars was confusing they said something about 11am but then said something about nwa at noon? do they have a 11am news also in little rock?? I think it was overall a good job...the weather guy just said 4weather once i think and the news anchor in little rock said arkansas...i was wondering why at the end everyone was doing 4-1 hand signals reminded me of the 70's when kfsm did the gimme 5!
Better than yesterday. It's day 2 and I would say they have more bugs to work out but overall I like it.
This idea is gonna shake the ratings at Noon. Just wait. Mr. Rick is a genius.
Oooohhh, nooooon. When you guys can actually compete the rest of the day (when it matters), maybe then you can play with the big kids.
"And why not. KARK does the switching for KNWA from Little Rock, why not everything else."
Except the sports (aka Razorback Nation), which comes from KNWA.
Speaking of noon shows, what's up with Ashley Beck's eyebrows? Yuck! She was way hotter when she was a blonde who wore tons of makeup. Who is responsible for making her transform into a matronly person?
Everyone knows the truth.
Don't you just love it when the talking heads say, "nune" for Noon and "nues" for news.
This concept will change the scene at Noon for LR tv stations.
You will soon see the other two stations in LR trying to do the same thing, except they won't have Ms George or Dialing For $.
I saw Ms. George anchor for the first time yesterday. She's obviously a beauty queen thrown at the desk with no talent. The girl needs to learn the TV biz by cutting packages under deadline pressure, or working as a reporter to see what it's like to talk about a story she got on her own. When beauty queens get jobs like this with no experience, they think the world is theirs.
Kelly George is just a news reader, and not a good one. If she was good or naturally talented, I'd give her kudos, but she's horrible! Having her anchor with a seasoned vet like Simas makes Simas look bad...like she's working for the amateur hour! I wondered why they're not anchoring together with a two-box, but Simas probably declined after watching Kelly George's anchoring. But then again, Simas anchoring next to George would show viewers how not up to par George really is!
People who haven't worked their way onto the desk shouldn't be there. Poor Simas.
Simas is a seasoned veteran?
Good Lord. I just have to laugh at that one.
If she did not have any support (Matt and the weather guy)she would be lost on that morning show. She could not ad lib her way out of a teleprompter malfunction if she tried. Also, her political opinions that she expresses on the air are just senseless.
Seasoned vet. Ha.
Ms Kelly George is the ratings getter for that station (looks and brains) and I am betting she could replace Simas if she so desires.
Help! Couldn't anyone get the green out of the black on those cameras.
It was KARK's 11:00 a.m. show and Tracy and her guests were looking a little green today during the 11:30 segment.
Ms. George is horrible. It really shows the difference here in the talent the LR DMA gets and the talent the NWA DMA gets---it's worlds apart! Ms. George is bland, boring, annoying and overall, well, just bad. Melissa is good, I like here alot, she atleast can show facial expressions every now and again and, oh yeah, one more important thing, she can actually read without stumbling on every other word!
Since when? Were you not watching this a.m.? Good thing she has Matt, who is BTW, the only seasond veteran on that show.
HO HUMMMMMMMMMM
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7:48 AM, September 13, 2007: I wondered why they're not anchoring together with a two-box, but Simas probably declined after watching Kelly George's anchoring.
You're either a viewer or you work in sales/marketing somewhere.
Talent doesn't "decline" things. They do what they're told to do (if they're "good" talent). You get someone on the desk that thinks they can produce AND anchor, you get problems. Just look at that evil bitch Nacy Grace.
And yes, Kelly George is an anchorette. Unfortunately for her, she's being used as a cheap pop for ratings. I hope she makes the best of it though... she seems very sweet.
We DESPERATELY need for Stacey Donaldson to come back to KARK to host "Dialing for Dollars." Lots of men 18-39 would tune in just to check out Stacey.
Kelly George is taking Arkansas by storm. She is the hottest thing on Arkansas tv and all the other stations are jealous. Now, all the jealous stations reply . . .
Kelly George has been on the air less than 2 weeks... give her a break, oh envious ones...
I don't work for any of the TV stations, but I will say, as a viewer, that Ms. George is horrible at this thing called "anchoring". She is taking Arkansan's by storm? Right, more likely putting them to sleep and leaving them scratching their heads wondering what the hell it is they are watching. This whole "Arkansas At Noon" will be canned rather soon, I think. Either that, or they will replace Ms.George with someone who can actually read.
The above was obviously posted by one of the jealous ones.
Jealous of what exactly?
I was not impressed. I am hard to impress-- but I felt like Ms. George is just reading and not communicating. There is a difference.
Why doesn't KARK get Melissa Simas to host dialing for dollars. Maybe the ratings would go up just a teensey weensey bit.
Arkansas and dialing for dollars, what a (winning) combination. No offense, but I'd like to see how the concept would work in a much larger market, such as New York or Chicago.
They better not take away my dialing for dollars
At first, having Dialing for Dollars for NWA didn't seem like a bad idea. But when I turn it over there and see that it's actually KARK doing it, I couldn't help but shake my head.
Now, chances for those pour souls winning have become even less than the low percentage they already were.
Nice try, KNWA, but try again. This one failed miserably.
Since that Mike Francis guy is hosting, they should change the name of that segment to "Dialing with Dumbass"
Well said 8:20. They should have a hot babe (Melissa Simas or Kelly George) host dialing for dollars. Then maybe more of the younger crowd would watch.
Kelly George wins that race. She will be in LR, or a larger market, before year's end.
Curious to know if Kelly is getting better with practice, now that she has been on the air a month. She certainly has "the look" but I can't get her on TV to see how she's doing.
She's doing terribly. Awful. Bland. Dull. Boring. Untalented. Clueless. PLEASE bring back Alexa Hamblin. Or even Doug Currin. Those people had personality and charisma! With Kelly I feel like I'm having my taxes done.
How good you posted here.That is a fun.
Of course, the writer is completely fair.
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