Changes...Changes..Changes at THV

Seems more minor changes have occurred at KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock.  As reported here the new graphics debuted today on the noon newscast.  Also a tipster brings it to our attention more minor changes have been made...including "TodaysTHV.com" became "THV11.com" also, KTHV's logo now just says "THV 11", with the CBS eye logo to the right of it. ALSO new opening/music.

Shreveport Station Offers Behind the Scenes Look at Newscast

Not sure when they started this but KTAL/Channel 6/Shreveport has started streaming a behind the scenes live stream. Not sure if this is a feature for all the other newscasts as I have only caught it during the 10pm newscasts.  This is very similar to KTHV's THV2...only with KTAL's behind the scenes feed, the online viewer doesn't see the news video that is airing for regular tv viewers.  You can catch the feed HERE.

Shreveport Station Loses AM Anchor

A tipster informed ATN today was Denise Middleton's last day as anchor of the morning news and mid-day news programs at KSLA/Channel 12/Shreveport.  Sure 'nuff Middleton announced it this morning on her facebook page.  Middleton joined KSLA 3 years ago. Middleton is leaving for Houston to join her husband who is a college coach at University of Houston.  Below is her farewell on facebook:

Little Rock Station to Present News in Living Color

Be looking for the new graphics Thursday on KTHV.  According to a very brief description on Channel 11's website the graphics will be "color-coded, based on the topic the story is about." Gannet has been converting its television properties to tie in line with its print publication USA Today. 

Another Reporter/Anchor Rollin' Out of the Rock

Lauren Trager is leaving KARK.  Trager made the announcement on her Facebook page.  Trager is leaving for KMOV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis, MO.  Trager has been with KARK since August 2008.  Below is her announcement:

It is with very mixed emotions I make this announcement to you all: I'm leaving KARK. Ever since my first day, (08-08-08!) I have felt so honored to be a part of this incredible news team and to deliver news that matters to people in this great state. Our viewers are the best out there; I cannot even begin to tell you how much I've appreciated your interest in my stories and your support of me as a journalist. But, in this profession, as in others, you often have to keep an eye open for new opportunities. And that's what I did. I'm thrilled to announce I have accepted a position at KMOV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis. This is a big advancement in my career and one that very much excites me. I am so sad to be leaving here, but I'm looking forward to starting this new adventure. I will be anchoring my last weekend show tonight at 10 and my official last day is Wednesday. Please feel free to keep up with me here on facebook, or on my Twitter. @LaurenTrager. Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me here. I'll always be so fond of my time in Arkansas. Best wishes to you all!

THV Adds to News Set

What can I say, I try not to watch too much news during sweeps..the giveaways.. the "investigative reporting"..did i mention the contests. Any how, seems KTHV has made an addition to its news set.  

A tipster sent in, KTHV showing off its additional new set this week. It includes a new desk, backdrop, and TV monitors.  So I watched and got a screen grab of the new set during the station's 6:30pm news. 

KLRT to Debut New News Set This Evening

KLRT/Channel 16/Little Rock will debut its new news set this evening.  The station posted on Facebook the new set will be used for the first time during the 5:30 pm newscast.  The station has been without a real permanent set since being consolidated into the same building as KARK in late January.

Reporter Leaves Little Rock Station

Seems there are some coming and goings during this sweeps period.  Seems odd to me but the tv news seems to be a strange business. Any how, KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock reporter Lauren Scott has apparently left the station.  Her bio has been taken off the station's website. If you remember Scott joined KTHV back in late August 2011 when all the KTHV'er's were jumping ship to KATV. 

Anchor Recognized for Reporting on Disabilities

Today's THV anchor Pam Maccam has been recognized for her reporting on people with disabilities.  Baccam was presented with the Mardi Gras Award by the 'Arkansas Can Do" Coalition.  It stands for "Media Awareness on Reporting Disability Issues, Grade on Reporting with Accuracy and Sensitivity."

Shreveport Anchor/Reporter Heading North

KSLA/Channel 12/Shreveport anchor/reporter Brittany Pieper is heading out of the ArkLaTex.  Pieper is headed to KOMU/Columbia, Missouri where she will co-anchor the evening news.  Pieper had been with KSLA since June 2010.

Hat tip TV Spy

KTBS Welcomes New Morning Anchor

KTBS/Channel 3 Shreveport has hired a new morning anchor.  Wendi Redman comes to Shreveport from WBTW/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. An e-mailer says  she might be a possile replacement for Chrissi Coile if she does not return after giving birth to her second child.

Are we still in sweeps?  The wild story promos have dwindled and new help wanted ads are being posted.  KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock is advertising for a Weekend Anchor/Reporter position. Pam Baccam is the current weekend anchor.  Baccam has been with KTHV since 2008.   Seems things are about to get interesting as the new news director really gets down to work. 

Little Rock Station Claims to be Tops on Facebook

KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock now claims to be "The Number One Arkansas Station on Facebook".  Not sure how they came to claim this award..if it's by the number of "likes" they are wrong.  As of this writing KARK had the most with 103,311 "likes"..KATV is second with 101,932 "likes" and KTHV trails with 79,800 "likes".   

Another goof...there's someone missing in the picture above.

KFSM Filled With Buzz....

Thousands of bees were discovered and removed today from the studios of KFSM/Channel 5/Fort Smith.  The station reports 100,000 bees were removed by beekeepers today.  Three beekeepers were stung in the process of the removal. 

Sweeping Through Sweeps

As usual things are quiet during the sweeps period.  No news of anybody leaving..coming...or staying.   In watching the different channels one can't help but laugh as how some stations are trying to grab the eyeballs of viewers.  Giveaways seem to be the name of the game.  One that really caught my eye is how KATV/Channel 7 is attempting to gain control of the 5am hour by having viewers get up at that early hour, sign up to win $$$ and then making them watch to win.  The 5am hour was the only hour KATV lost in the last ratings book.  KARK and KTHV and both doing their own giveaways. 

KTBS Hires New Weekend Anchor

There's a new weekend anchor on staff at KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport.  Jessica Crandall has been hired to replace Judy Waggoner.  Crandall came to KTBS from KIFI and KIDK  in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Along with anchoring newscasts on the weekend, Crandall will serve as a reporter during the week. 

Now You See Them...Now You Don't....

Some things you just can't make up...and this is one of them.  Arkansas Business.com reports the day after nearly 30 staffers at KLRT/KARK were let go,  help wanted ads were posted on the Arkansas Broadcaster's Association website.  Openings were posted for for two photographers, a news reporter, a sports anchor and a weekend anchor/reporter. Strange thing though...no one that Arkansas Business contacted at KLRT/KARK knew anything about the job postings.  Then according to Arkansas Broadcasting Association Executive Director Doug Krile the same person that requested the postings...requested they be taken down.

Help Wanted in Shreveport......

Seems change is in the air in the ArkLaTex.  KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport has a new help wanted post up on its website.  The station is looking for a full time anchor/reporter.  With it being sweeps we can assume whoever it is will be gone by the end of the month. 

Old Face...In a New Place......

It can be confirmed former KTHV Sports Director Wes Moore will be anchoring sports on KLRT/16 starting tonight!  Moore sent the message out this afternoon over his Twitter account confirming the news.  Moore quit Today's THV in June 2012 to do a radio show. 

THV....Looking Again

Seems KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock is once again in the market for an evening anchor.  The opening was posted on Today's THV's website on January 10th.  So the talk now once again will be who is leaving...or reassigned once a new anchor is hired.  THV didn't shake much up when it hired KNWA anchor Matt Turner..just shuffled anchors around during different time slots. Turner was killed in a one vehicle accident in early October 2012.  Since that time THV's newscasts have looked the same before Turner moved to KTHV. 

Awkward Farewell for KLRT Sports Director

David Raath delivered his final sportscast on KLRT Friday night.  To those of us who knows of the situation of why he was saying goodbye it seemed... well.....awkward.  Raath was one of nearly 30 KLRT/KARK staffers fired last week.  His final time on air was very emotional on the set Friday night.  A montage of clips of his time at KLRT and his goodbye is below.

One Newsroom, Two Different News Stations

With the moving of the KLRT staff and studios into The Victory Building with KARK, station officials are touting the move as a positive thing for TV news viewers of both channels.  KLRT has begun broadcasting its newscasts from The Victory Building and engineers have started the process of constructing a new set for KLRT.  

Now let's focus on the newsroom.  KARK/KLRT News Director Austin Kellerman says, “While we will share some resources, it is important to us that the FOX16 News and KARK4 News brands remain unique and distinct from one another. The combined newsroom will give us the ability to cover more local stories, in a more thorough way than ever before.” The stations will continue rely on its sister stations in Fayetteville, Memphis, Texarkana, and El Dorado to report news from all corners of the state.   

Beginning Monday, 2/4/2013, KLRT will start their new newscast times.  They will be Good Day Arkansas” from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., a half-hour broadcast of FOX16 News at 5:30 p.m., and an hour-long FOX16 News at 9 p.m.

Good Day Arkansas!

Good Day Arkansas will debut Monday, 2/4/2013 on KLRT/Channel 16/Little Rock.  So just what will the new morning program consist of?  A news release says, "Good Day Arkansas will offer the breaking news and weather coverage viewers have come to expect from FOX16 News, while adding a fun, light twist to the traditional newscast. The show will feature live news coverage, weather and traffic reports, live interviews, special guests, and community highlights." 

KLRT General Manager Mike Vaughn says, "We are excited to provide our viewers with an alternative to the national morning shows airing on other stations at that time period.  We realize some Arkansans don’t wake up early enough for a 5a.m. newscasts, and this will give those viewers a chance to catch up on the morning’s news before they start their day.”

The new program will be broadcast from KLRT studios in The Victory Building and will debut with hosts Deedra Wilson and Greg Dee.  

I don't receive KLRT where I live so y'all can use the comments section to report on the program's first day!