Did Channel 5 in Fort Smith Drop Ball OR Make Right Decision?
This from a TV viewer in Fort Smith: Channel 5 in Fort Smith, showed tonight how they're becoming a NWA station too. Their first two news stories had to do with trials in NWA.
197 of the Barracks at Fort Chaffee burned to the ground in a massive fire fueled by the high winds. Channel 5 made it their 4th story of the night. Channel 40 it was the lead story and they had team coverage on it.
I think the 5 news director really dropped the ball on what was really the lead story or they were just going to lead with NWA news.
posted by ATN @ 8:20 AM
77 comments
77 Comments:
Shame on you channel 5
All statins from Little Rock sent crews and when live off the tops of their shows.
This must be a joke. IF it is true that Ch. 5 put the fire as their 4th story, the ND should be fired. What a tragic lack of news judgement.
Why does Darren Bobb look like he is smiling when reading stories about fires and murder?
Ball droppers
Not only did Channel 5 make it their fourth story, they also gave out the wrong information!!!
The PIO had a briefing at 9pm ish which included several updates. Channel 5 reported the same info from 5 and 6, when it the situation had clearly changed by 10pm.
Ball droppers!
belly buttons rule. especially mickey goodwin's.
Hahaha
Channel 5
What a waste of time!
And you are surprised? I'm not. They are just better at hiding ball dropping than this time.
Channel 5
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
How many Channel 5 Reporter does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to report it as an inspired government program to bring light to the people, one to report it as a diabolical government plot to deprive the poor of darkness, and one to claim they won a Pulitzer prize for reporting that Electric Company hired a light bulb assassin to break the bulb in the first place.
A fire at abandoned, empty buildings which led at Noon / 5 / 6
Or
A guilty verdict for Mitchell Johnson. A new story.
Both are good leads. And a case could be made for either one.
Stop watching / comparing / copying the other stations in the market and do your job.
Let the viewers decide.
KNWA makes no pretenses in stating that they cover only Northwest Arkansas news. I appreciate their candor. As a resident of the River Valley, I have watched the other two stations give local news and sports coverage short-shrift for a long time. My question is: How much hassle would it be to split the markets for local newscasts (River Valley or NWA) and have a common weather broadcast?
Knwa even had the fire. I always thought the River Valley was big for Kfsm, but it wasn't the lead and no new info for later shows. That is definately a big time drop.
One question: What was the Big Story of the day?
Channel 5 did not drop the ball!
It just got more AWESOME!
Could it ahve been technical problems? Sometimes you ahve love shots die and other issues which might make you float a big story. Just curious, I'm giving the benefit of the doubt until they admit they screwed the pooch.
didn't kfsm win NWA last book?
As an employee of KFSM I can say that it was intentional that the story of the Ft.Chaffee fire was not the lead and buried in the middle of the A block. Some of the thinking behind that was that we didn't want to scare viewers off doing the fire story because Russell Jones was the 10pm reporter and hell I work there and even I think he is scary. Also we knew that 40/29 and KNWA had better coverage of it and we wanted to limit the amount of head to head (no Brad Flickinger pun intended).
then i recall my post about technical problems and simply say...you guys suck.
The answer to the split question is cost.
Who's Russell Johnson? ;)
Everybody knows Elvis got his hair cut at Chaffee.
Today there was a traffic jam on Arkansas Highway 22 because everyone wanted a look at the smoldering history.
5 DID post about 8 minutes of SPECTACULAR video on its website.
To whomever wrote: "A fire at abandoned, empty buildings which led at Noon / 5 / 6 Or A guilty verdict for Mitchell Johnson. A new story. Both are good leads. And a case could be made for either one."
WRONG.
The thought process should have been - "A huge fire that created the best video of the day and destroyed a major piece of the River Valley - OR - an idiot kid who already made national headlines by shooting up his classmates gets found guilty for having guns and drugs."
If the news director/producers/anchors at KFSM had that much trouble deciding between the two - then allow me to offer some free advice for next time...
Have your anchor say at the top of the show - Mitchell Johnson was found guilty on all charges - we'll have more on that in a minute. But first - check out this fire that destroyed Fort Chaffee.
Big time ball droppers.
Bizall Drizoppers
Here's a funny! 49/29 running promos for tomorrow night at 6 and 10 they will have an exclusive interview with Clinton but NBC ran an exclusive tonight and is posted on their site. Live local and LATE BREAKING is a little late.
Not to mention 5 had outdated information for the 10pm Chaffee Fire story.
Doug Currin.. YOU'RE MY HERO!!!
Hey KFSM, here's an easy way to decide what's your lead.......If three of the four Little Rock stations send their SAT trucks to set up camp for a story in the back yard of your own market, it's probably your lead!!!!!!
Another point, how much of an impact did Johnson have on your community? The shootings did not happen at Darby....He got caught with some dope and a pea shooter(not taking away from the brutality of his crime in 97).
Granted Johnson is a big story on a normal day. But Tuesday's lead was a no brainer!!!!!
Almost every Arkansan over the past four decades knows what and where Ft. Chaffe is and for half a century it's been a part of the lives of your Rivervalley viewers. Not to mention, the important role it has played in your community(much more than Elvis's haircut)!!!
Having said that, tell me how many of your viewers knew the name and history of Mitchell Johnson before he moved to the area after his release.
And once again, if three of the four LR stations send their SAT trucks to your back yard barbecue, it's probably worth staying until everyone's finished eating!!!!!
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Here's a funny! 49/29 running promos for tomorrow night at 6 and 10 they will have an exclusive interview with Clinton but NBC ran an exclusive tonight and is posted on their site. Live local and LATE BREAKING is a little late."
I know your jealous that 40/29's election coverage is killing kfsm and knwa! They have had people all over the country covering it. Now the exclusive isn't just a interview. They followed them around for several days and interviews are included. I don't even work in news but when I watch it at least I am able to hear what they are saying.
I work in the local tv biz too. Wow! I'm so proud to be in a league of such 'extraordinary' people. If Ch 5 was at fault for making a story 3rd, 4th or 5th in the block, I wonder which of us will be the next to 'drop the ball" somewhere, somehow? Reload boys and girls, it's going to happen.
How about FOX in LR dropping school closings? That will bring viewers in on the first day of the book. Nice work.
The thread is about Ft. Chaffee and Channel 5 airing it later in its newscast. It is not about FOX and school closings. Not relevant.
BTW, I think you run the fire first. Great video, great story. Big crime if indeed it was arson. And that's probably what people are concerned about. Whenever something happens that has the ability to strike fear or concern into the public, that needs to be addressed first. You have to address the immediacy of the moment. Just my two cents.
The ball dropping continues! KFSM's winter weather coverage is awful. Brad Flickinger has changed the snow total forecast about 5 times per hour. That microcast thing they have proved once again its just a high priced broken toy. Eventually he had to make up a new map to replace it!
After defending KFSM elsewhere, I do have to say they blew it on the fire. Justifying it by saying they didn't want to "scare viewers" doesn't wash. Not only did this fire take a big chunk out of Chaffee, the potential existed to cause major damage to civilian areas, specifically Central City, and there's the possibility of arson. This was a civil emergency, possibly as much as a flood or tornado. That's significantly more important than a punk convicted of illegal gun possession.
Daren used to be a news director himself. I hope he put up a big fight during that decision making process.
8:29 Who the F are u? If I want to poke fun of Fox I will.
Yes, that's correct. FOX is irrelevant.
Yes the FOX GM doesn't know what he's doing. He would rather have an infomerical than school closings.
Sphon doesn't get news and he's the reason they have the problems they do at that stations.
He holds no engineer accountable for anything that happens.
You guys ready for this one? Ready?
It's time all the producers, anchors, reporters and crews working in tv understand the markets here are small, and therefore, not even close to top notch.
It starts with management (or lack thereof most days), and filters down to reporters/producers getting younger and younger to save money. Companies cut corners on equipment and personnel to improve their bottom line (40/29?). This is a giant training ground, which means every station sucks on a consistent basis. Hell I work at one of them and can admit it.
Saying one station "drops the ball" is priceless. It's a kitchen of pots making fun of the black kettle.
Time to grow up. Time to realize you're all in the same boat. There's a reason everyone is stuck in this hole of a state. Trying to move up the ladder. If you are happy here, then God help you, and enjoy the trainwreck that is Arkansas tv for a long, long time.
OUT!
Sounds like 10:24 hasn't gotten any nibbles on his or her resume tape.
Sounds like 10:24 hasn't gotten any nibbles on his or her resume tape.
And you'd be wrong. Which is par for the course here. Carry on.
I'd just like to say thank you 10:24/10:58. You are an inspiration to us all. You may be the first person in this market to ever notice it's faults. While the rest of us are toiling away at the mundane aspects of covering local news, you are a light along our troubled path. Bravo 10:24/10:58... Bravo!
WINNNNNNNTER STOOOOOOOOOORM 2008!
This thread might be about Channel 5 dropping the ball, but it's boring. The majority of us here probably don't care about NWA and what goes on there. We need a new thread.
Anyone ever noticed that if you type the web address to 40/29 incorrectly, it'll take you to a Japanese porn site?
Correct site: www.4029tv.com
Incorrect site: www.4029.tv
It's very easy to make this mistake with the ever growing .tv craze!
yeah,i noticed that when i mistyped the address. pretty funny.
Yes, this is a small market and known mainly as a proving ground to move onto bigger and better markets. But that's not an excuse for bad decision making. You're right, all stations make mistakes, and what's done is done. It probably is best to just move on. I'm sure we'll find something on 40/29 to kvetch about soon.
Not leading with the Chaffee fire at 10 was a horrendous decision.
It was the biggest story in the whole state that day and comparing it to some trial verdict is ridiculous.
This is the kind of thinking that knocked Channel 5 to #2 last time around. Way to go guys.
KFSM is and has been falling short. They are not real bright over there--either people who have been there way too long, not long enough, or in management that should not be there. They will keep sinking.
I've said it for years and will continue to say it. The people here that put together their news broadcast need to watch KTUL in Tulsa. Solid newscast.
All of you that work at the stations can take jabs at each all you want, but as just a VIEWER, I want to see some reporting...some news...not just what the latest meth bust was nightly. I have never seen a report on a meth bust on KTUL, you can't tell me there's not meth in Tulsa, they just don't find it news worthy.
Of course if our stations took out the drug bust from their newscast, they'd be several minutes of black daily, since they'd have nothing else to fill. It's to easy to go cover that, then going and finding a real story.
The stations here go for the gutter trash stories always, just look at any rating period, it's always some gutter trash piece to draw viewers in all week.
Again..you don't see KTUL doing that.
I'm only 33 years old, and don't hold a degree in journalism, but I could put together a better newscast, that the viewers can actually get something out of even with the budget problems they have in this market over the people doing it here now. It's called CREATIVITY people.
Do you need cheese with your wine??
Grow up and get a real life quit living through some one elses life. It is easy to be critical of someone else because it takes attention away from yourself. The answer is simple TURN THE CHANNEL.
You people are morons.
A) Talk about what other stations do... all the Memphis stations were at the Mitchell Johnson trial, as were some of the LR stations. There was new information and new sound from the family of people MURDERED by this kid, who walked away essentially scott free. The courthouse was packed with people that drove 4 and 5 hours to sit... hoping to see the kid serve SOME time.
B) Mentioned the fire twice off the top of the show. It wasn't buried at all... it was clearly a major part of the broadcast.
C) All the fire information was current, and more time was devoted to the fire in the A block than to the trial.
D) Did a special run-up on the fire during WX (more of the video.)
E) DEVOTED THE ENTIRE C BLOCK TO THE FIRE, INCLUDING A FULL 2 MINUTES OF UNINTERRUPTED VIDEO. Also, I'd like to point out, our video was better than either of the other stations.
By my conservative estimate, we devoted about 5 minutes of the news hole to the fire... including sound... including video.
It wasn't a "ball drop"... it was an editorial decision. And the right one. If you people would, oh, I dunno, learn how to pull yourself out of the minor leagues, really get a firm grasp on this whole "news" thing, and get out of your "HUR HUR, NOT FURST STORY, THEY SUCKS!!!" mind-set maybe you wouldn't be getting your ass handed to you every night.
I'm going to go back to the aforementioned "kicking your collective asses" in a moment, but first... a question:
If we're so terrible, why is it you can't HELP but copy every move we make? From weather graphics, to stories and angles, to, oh, I dunno, starting a noon and early morning news cast (40, I'm looking at you)... the list goes on and on.
Why don't you just do your own thing and not worry about what we're doing. Though, if I were in your shoes, I guess I'd worry about us too.
I sense bitterness in that rant, 3:11. BTW, only one Memphis station drove to Fayetteville (FOX 13).
If you are following KFSM's lead then you are a great station from the 70's
To further prove my point, let's look at today's lead stories:
24: National pkg on politics
40: Tom Coughlin sentencing from this morning.
5: Mike Huckabee live in Fayetteville
And there's absolutely no bitterness. I have several friends at all 3 stations, and there are talented people at them all. Unfortunately, only the morons use this blog.
Do you include yourself in that comment; as far as being a moron?
All one has to have to do a newscast these days is a police and fire scanner, a car, and some flunkies to go shoot some footage of the "news." Oh, yes. And a talking head to read it.
3:11 should be one of the first at KFSM, showed their walking papers. They just don't get it. I'm not just picking on them either, normally they do have the best newscast around here. They do have the best weather, and ALL the sports departments need work. KFSM's needing the most in that department.
I don't work at any station..never have. I'm simply a real viewer who stumbled upon this blog sometime back.
The all mighty can't take any constructive feedback.
3:11,nice to see the new KFSM ND checking in here.
You made a bad call on this one. Just accept it and move on.
A word of warning to you, though, the last time KFSM took a tumble it was from focusing too much attention on NWA where the average person isn't plugged in to the community and could care less about local news.
There is a reason that the station that wins NWA loses the market.
Hey KFSM news director:
How about you focus on building a positive newsroom environment instead of worrying about blogs. You are halfway out the door and you don't even know it. Now, as far as the fire not being the lead, well we all knew that was a dumb idea didn't we? No one said anything in the news meeting because we just don't care anymore. Its not all you though. The entire leadership is crappy and your just an extension of that. My advice: Learn how to say no and learn how to make them do what you want instead of being forced into doing what they want. Remember, their background is sales NOT NEWS.
I guess I've been out of the loop.
I didn't know 5 even had a News Director after that last guy got fired. Who's 5's news director now? Where'd this person come from? How long has he or she been there?
Hey, as long as KARK in Little Rock is switching for KNWA, they are going to come out on top.
For KFTA-DT fox viewers in NWA, the station is off the air.
Tune channel 700 SD or Channel 701 HD on Directv and you will be able to watch the game.
I think KFSM did a great disservice to the people in Sebastian County by showing two lead stories in NWA about some silly trials when Fort Chaffee(a historical landmark), was burning.
What was the New Director thinking? Oh excuse me, that "person" was not thinking or caring about the people, just his NWA ratings!
He needs to be FIRED.
Oh, for the person that stated KWNA says they only cover NWA news. If this is true, then why are they down in Sebastian, Logan,
and Franklin Counties during sweeps?
I have seen them out and doing stories, so they are not JUST NWA.
Also, the Johnson story is of little interest to viewers in Western Arkansas, but Chaffee is and for your information, there were structures burnt that were NOT abandoned. Just so you know... I was there helping fight those fires....were you?
This comment has been removed by the author.
FYI, since it came up here again, I was not fired from KFSM. I went on long-term leave from the New York Times Company last year due to a medical condition. I remain on long-term leave at this time and am still an employee of the NYT.
Best,
Dale Cox
Former ND, KFSM
Russell Jones needs a makeover
3:11, or the 5News person who wrote that diatribe isn't right at all.
The information on that fire report from 10pm WAS NOT current. They were still calling the fire suspicious, when officials on scene said they didn't think that anymore into the evening hours. 5News said just one firefighter was hurt when two were, and the list goes on and on. They also mentioned concerns that were no longer an issue by 10pm.
Maybe you could vouch for the information being current if the reporter actually showed up for the night time briefing. And don't make anything up...the PIO had not heard from 5 after the nightly briefing. Ask Russell...he knows.
I thought 40/29 did a great job covering the Trooper Fatal. I think they were the only station to focus on the victim and get personal stories about him. I also thought they made an effort to give information about the other driver. All in all, they did a good job handling this sensitive story.
Book:
NOVEMBER, 2007
Fort Smith Adzone(8County)
Demographic:
TV Households
Characteristic:
TV Households
Station
Time Period Label
Daypart Name
Rtg
5pm News M-F
KFSM 21.3
KFTA 0.2
KNWA 0.4
KHBS 7.8
6PM NEWS
KFSM 24.2
KFTA 0.5
KNWA 0.4
KHBS 9.2
10pm News
KFSM 15.2
KFTA 0.4
KNWA 0.7
KHBS 6.2
NWA REGION !!!!!!!!!!!!
NOVEMBER, 2007
NWA ZONE (3 County)
5PM NEWS
KFSM 8.3
KFTA 0.5
KHOG 5.2
KNWA (nwa's station of record) a measly 4.7
6pm News
KFSM 8.4
KFTA 0.2
KHOG 5.4
KNWA 5.9
10pm News
KFSM 4.8
KFTA 0.3
KHOG 5.0
KNWA-- finally a WIN 5.4
NO RESPONCE NEEDED .. THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEM SELVES. IF YOU WANT, I'LL PUT IN PERSONS 25-54 (target audiencd for most REAL stations) BUT I DONT THINK YOU'LL WANT TO SEE THOSE
Your NWA numbers are not accurate. You aren't giving KHBS/KHOG credit for their satellite viewers.
For this to be accurate, you have to eliminate KFSM's satellite audience in NWA as well.
Nice try though.
I don't understand why the station with the worst product has such numbers. KNWA deserves the ground they've gained...HANDS DOWN!
Channel 5 reaches out to people in the sticks who use hangers as antennas...that's the only reason why they get numbers.
What's up with 5 running the same packages several times daily, word for word? Your viewers are not that stupid. Give them a little credit.
It may be a whole new ball game in Feb '09. Doubt many of 5's viewers are prepared for the "digital age".
I LIKE the overconfidence I see from 5's people. Eventually their "do nothing and the viewers will still tune in" attitude will catch up with them.
Let me get this straight...
You are BRAGGING about numbers that show a DISASTROUS news audience in the market?
According to your stats, only 22.7% of the entire available audience is watching local news at 10 p.m. in the River Valley. Even worse, they show that all of the stations combined can reach only 15.5% of the Northwest Arkansas audience.
That is RIDICULOUS. You should all quit bragging and get to work! I could reach more people than that by climbing the water tower with a bull horn!
Somebody wins a majority share of a pitiful 15.5% of the available audience and you are proud of it????
I'm a former employee of the TV staitions in this market. They're all the same. They all copy each other. And you'll find it in any market you look at. There are only so many ways to present news.
And 2 months from now, no one will care about this story or how it was covered.
It is a shame that Fort Smith doesn`t have a television station. I quit watching the news a long time ago, as all you hear is Fayettville, Springdale and Rogers. Very, very little about Fort Smith. If I wanted to hear their new, I would move there.
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