KAIT Gets New Sports Director

This from a tipster:Mitch Lilly has been hired as the new sports director at KAIT.

KNWA Sports Guy Leaving to do Radio

This from a tipster:Derek Ruscin is leaving KNWA sports to do a sports talk morning show. He'll be the main host of The Morning Rush on 96.3 FM in Fort Smith.

KATV Gets New LIVE Truck

An e-mailer sent in a tip that KATV recently took delivery of a new mini-DSNG live truck. It's a ENG Sprinter from Frontline Communications.

Former KATV Bureau Chief/Engineer Passes Away

Source: KATV.com A longtime member of the Channel 7 family has died.

Former Hot Springs bureau chief, director and engineer Dick Story passed away Monday night.

Dick started at KATV in 1954, and most recently worked as part of the production crew for Channel 7’s Good Morning Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, daughter Kathy, and a son, Doug.

Dick Story was 74-years-old.

40/29 10pm Anchor's Duties Expanded

Source: KHBS/KHOG Press Release Donna Bragg, a twelve-year veteran of 40/29 News and current 10 p.m. co-anchor, will expand her duties by joining Craig Cannon on the 5 & 6 p.m. newscasts beginning Tuesday, September 2nd , 2008. Bragg moved to a part time role in 2002 for family considerations.

“I’m excited about returning to the anchor desk for our early evening newscasts,” Bragg said. “I look forward to expanding my role in the newsroom.”

“With Donna’s extensive experience in the market, combined with Craig’s 25-year tenure…40/29 News will have the most experienced anchor team in the area,” said Mike Courington, 40/29 News Director.

KHBS/KHOG TV also announces that Leslee Wright, 5 and 6 p.m. co-anchor at 40/29 News, is stepping down at the ABC affiliate to focus on starting a family. “Leslee has made significant contributions to our news operation,” said Courington. “We wish her all the best.”

“I’m looking forward to focusing my attention on starting a family,” Wright said. “The past ten years have been a tremendous experience and this was a tough, bittersweet decision. I hope to continue working on special projects for the station.”

“We wish Leslee well. I know this was a difficult decision for her to leave a profession she loves so much. We certainly understand and respect her decision,” said Jim Prestwood, KHBS/KHOG TV’s President and General Manager.

Rumor Has It... KHOG Anchor Leaving

This from a tipster: Rumor has it that Leslee Wright from 40/29 News has decided not to re-sign her contract, and she will be leaving the station at the end of August, when her contract is up. She may do some part-time work for the station, but her plans are to stay home. Apprently, if this takes place, Donna Bragg will be promoted to full-time anchor and will take over duties as co-anchor at 5 and 6pm.

THV Told to Cease "Dirty Jobs" Series

This from a tipster: KTHV Dirty Jobs series cut short due to a cease and disist order from the Discovery Channel. THV had promoed Arkansas Dirty Jobs on their web site, and had a few taped and ready for air, but the Discovery Channel heard of the plan and cut it short fast. I am curious how Gannett would have approved this with the title "Dirty Jobs" owned by Discovery.

Former KSLA Chief Met to KTAL

This from a tipster: KTAL News to fill Rustin Dukes spot with former KSLA's Patrick Dennis.

Note: Dennis left KSLA awhile back to start his own production studio

May Numbers are In....

Arkansas Business.com has the scoop on the May Neilson numbers. Below are some highlights:

At 10 p.m., KTHV's 10.3 household rating and 20.9 share in the market tied KATV-TV, Channel 7, for the top spot. However, when you look at year-to-year growth, KTHV's rating jumped 16 percent, while KATV's fell 12 percent. KTHV also took an impressive lead in the persons 18-49 demo, where KTHV scored a 7.1 to best KATV's 4.2, and in the women 25-54 demo, where KTHV posted a 9.4 rating to KATV's 6.8.

The ratings also show impressive growth for KARK-TV, Channel 4, and KLRT-TV, Channel 16. NBC affiliate KARK continued to dominate the household ratings at noon, when it airs "Dialing for Dollars," while also showing year-to-year growth at 5 p.m. in the demographics mentioned above. KARK posted the second-best household ratings during the 5 p.m. newscast, trailing KATV.

Fox affiliate KLRT and its 9 p.m. newscast can now claim household ratings approaching the other stations and ratings in the two major demos that surpass its rivals. The station began broadcasting at 9 p.m. in May 2004, when it scored a 1.8 rating and 3.2 share. The station's May 2008 book has a 7.1 household share and 12.4 rating for the market, and its 5.6 rating in persons 18-49 takes the demographic's second spot when compared with its 10 p.m. competitors.

Though KATV maintained its household lead in the market at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., the station's newscasts showed negative year-to-year growth in the majority of household ratings and coveted demos.

The ABC affiliate won at 5 p.m. with a household rating of 11.3 and 26.7 share. The ratings were down compared with last year, though, and the station also lost the persons 18-49 demo, falling from a 5 in 2007 to a 4 in 2008. KATV held onto its lead in the women 25-54 demo, though, posting a 5.4 rating. The 5.4 rating is an 18 percent drop compared with 2007's 6.6 rating in the demo.

KARK'er Leaving

This from a tipster: Kim Betton is leaving KARK and going to Washington, DC. Announced on air during the 6 p.m. news.

KAIT Reporter/Anchor Leaves

This from a tipster: Just a heads ups, KAIT Reporter Rebecca Smith is moving to another station. She was also the weekend anchor.