KTBS/Shreveport Co-Founder Passes Away

Source: The Shreveport Times Shreveport businessman George Downing Wray Jr. has died. He was 92.

Wray, best known for his family's local Ford dealership and as a co-founder of KTBS-TV, collapsed while attending an opera at Riverview Theater on Saturday, his family says. An aortic aneurysm caused his death.

Wray's family and friends will remember him as a socialite who loved business.

KLRT Awarded AP Best Newscast

Source: KLRT FOX16 News was awarded the coveted “Best Newscast” award from the Associated Press this past Saturday night in a ceremony conducted in Downtown Little Rock. FOX16 News anchor Donna Terrell and chief meteorologist Troy Bridges were among those on hand at the Holiday Inn Presidential to accept the award. Terrell had this to say: “We proudly accepted the award on behalf of all the dedicated members of our team who’ve worked tirelessly to make our product worthy of this recognition.” FOX16’s weekend sports anchor Chris Kolkhorst walked away with two first place awards in the News Feature and Sports Coverage categories, while weekend news anchor Kelly Dudzik earned an honorable mention in the Continuing Coverage category.

FOX16 News continues to make significant strides in the market, and now lays claim to the market’s longest continuous anchor team with Donna Terrell, Kevin Kelly, Troy Bridges and David Raath. FOX16 News Director Ed Trauschke says that his team’s success comes from consistently focusing the needs of the viewer. “Segments like Kevin’s ‘Consumer Alert’, Donna’s ‘Family Healthcast’, or our “County-by –County” coverage are just a few examples of ways that we’ve been able to create a pinpoint focus for our viewers.”

FOX16 has been in the news business for just over four years now, having launched on March 29, 2004. It added early news at 5p and 530p just over a year ago. “It’s particularly satisfying that the AP chose FOX16 News over the three established news stations in the market”, said FOX16 General Manager Chuck Spohn, “It echoes exactly what we’re seeing in the ratings; more and more viewers continue to make us their new choice for news.” The award comes just weeks after FOX16 posted their strongest Nielsen ratings numbers to date. FOX16 News @ 9’s audience grew an additional +70% from where it was this same time last year, and with that surpassed or tied several competiting newscasts airing in the 10pm hour. The growth was even more impressive at 5p and 530p where FOX16 grew well over 100% from the most recent rating period.

KHBS/KHOG-TV Names Sales Manager

John McCormick has been named General Sales Manager at KHBS/KHOG-TV, the Hearst-Argyle Television station in the Fort Smith/Fayetteville, AR market.

McCormick comes to 40/29 News, an ABC affiliate, from KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, MN, where he has served as General Sales Manager since 2003. With 25 years of experience in the broadcast industry, his previous sales management experience includes GSM positions at KMGH-TV in Denver, KOB-TV and KASA-TV in Albuquerque and WYSM in Lansing, Michigan.

“John’s extensive television sales management experience, in strong and highly competitive markets, will be a great asset to our team and advertisers. As we continue to build strong relationships with advertisers in one of the fastest growing markets in the country, John’s knowledge will benefit the entire market,” said Jim Prestwood, KHBS/KHOG-TV President/General Manager.

KTVE Promotes Met

From a tipster: KTVE in West Monroe, LA has announced that it has promoted JarodFloyd to Chief Meteorologist. The announcement came three weeks after longtime Chief Meteorologist Tom Pearson left to join rival station KNOE.

Floyd joined KTVE in May 2006 as the morning meteorologist.

KATV to Join the Rest on the Mountain

Arkansas Business.com reports KATV will erect a new 1269 foot tower atop Shinall Mountain. KATV's 2000 foot tower in Redfield collapsed in early January.

KNWA Morning Anchor on Leave

An emailer sends this in: A week or two ago wanker Tom Yazwinski started to co-host the KNWA
morning show with one of my favorite news babes Kelly George. Yesterday morning the show comes on and the Yazzer says that Kelly won't be on for awhile and that's she's taking a leave of abscence. Any idea what's up with that? Doug Currin was a big flop in this spot as well. I hate it when they put dudes in the morning slot.

Blast From the Past on KARK

Now that I'm settled into my new apartment AND finally got the internet turned on my posting will resume. I noticed, along with a bunch of blog readers Dave Woodman was at the anchor desk late last week. Blog readers say Friday..I can't remember what day it was. BUT I do remember seeing him at the desk anchoring the 10pm newscast.

Former 40/29 Met Returns

This from a tipster: Charles Salser, the former chief meteorologist at 40/29 has moved back
to the River Valley. I saw him on a commercial on Channel 5 ironically this morning promoting a pest control company. He looks totally different now. He has a goatee and has completely shaved his head.

The CW is Coming to NWA

Source: KHBS/KHOG 40/29 is bringing the new CW network to Northwest Arkansas and River Valley households. The network will be broadcast on the digital feeds of KHBS & KHOG, beginning April 28, 2008.

“Our new 24/7 CW program service allows us to expand on the opportunities to serve our community with a broader range of programming, including content targeting younger audiences,” said Jim Prestwood, President and General Manager of KHBS/KHOG. “We also see this as a great opportunity to expand the 40/29 news brand.”

"We want to emphasize to our viewers that we are adding this channel to our broadcast capabilities," he added. "There are no changes in 40/29's affiliation with ABC, our placement on cable or our programming schedule. The advances in digital television allow us to add this to our broadcast feed."

"The Ft. Smith CW affiliation with KHBS/KHOG is emblematic of The CW’s tremendous success with DTV multicast partnerships covering almost 80 markets across the country,” said Russell H. Myerson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, The CW PLUS, the network’s programming arm that services the 100+ DMAs.