New Morning Anchor Debuts at Shreveport Station

There's a new face on the morning show at KSLA/Channel 12 Shreveport.  Charisse Gibson made her debut on the station's morning and noon newscasts Friday.  Gibson is a New Orleans native and joins KSLA from WLOX-TV in Biloxi, MS. 

THV Producer Hits the Road

This from the tip jar:

Longtime executive producer Carol Phillips left KTHV last week.  Carol had been with THV over 15 years.

Longtime KARK Employee Passes Away

Source: KARK  Some sad news to report from KARK. Longtime employee Benny Williams, 64, passed away in his sleep Monday morning.

He started here in 1968 in our production department at 20 years old and for decades had worked as a master control operator.

Benny dedicated his life to KARK, working here for 44 years.
He would've celebrated 45 years at the station this fall.

Shreveport Reporter Heading North

Adam Hooper is leaving KSLA/Shreveport for anchor position in Springfield,MO. Hooper came to KSLA in March 2011.

Nexstar Looking to Purchase Shreveport Stations

Nexstar is looking to add more TV stations to its ownership list.  TV NewsCheck reports Nexstar has signed a lettler of intent to purchase 12 stations from Communications Corporation of America.  KMSS and KSHV in Shreveport would be a part of the deal.  Nexstar already owns KTAL/Channel 6 in the Shreveport market.  The article says both companies hope to make an official announcement by April 6.

Hat tip TV Spy

Can You Feel The Synergy....

It's been a month or two since KARK and KLRT have been under the same roof and personalities from each station have been appearing on each.  Today for example KLRT staff anchored Arkansas Today.  One can only wonder if this is really a good thing.  I

've also been sent emails from blog readers how they see/hear the same news story reported word for word on each station.  This has to contradict what we were told that KARK and KLRT would be putting out their own unique product.  So much for two separate newsrooms huh?   Maybe some blog readers that see both stations can give a perspective on what they see..since I don't get KLRT.

KARK Welcomes New Meteorologist

Pat Walker made his debut this weekend doing weather for KARK.  According to his Facebook page no one has left the station..they are just expanding the weather department.  Walker states on Facebook he grew up in Ward, Arkansas and went to Cabot High School. 

Tim Fletcher Bids KTBS Farewell.

KTBS Sports Director Tim Fletcher bid farewell Friday night after years of anchoring sports for KTBS Shreveport.  Fletcher announced earlier in the week he was leaving KTBS after he approached station officials about reducing his duties at the station..to only be asked for his resignation.  He signed off Friday night. 

Shreveport Sports Director Sets the Record Straight About Departure

KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport Sports Director Tim Fletcher sets the record straight on why Tomorrow, Friday, March 15 is his last day.  Fletcher made the following post on his Facebook page:

It appears word has gotten out about tomorrow being my final day at KTBS. Apparently, www.ArkansasTVNewswatch.Blogspot.com has gotten wind of my departure---and there is some wild conjecture among the comments.

First and foremost, I am leaving KTBS after 13 and a quarter years for one reason and one reason only---to spend more time with my wonderful family. For too many years, work came before family.

I proposed a plan that would allow me to continue working at KTBS; increase my reporting workload; but allow me to be home three nights a week after 7pm. The station, as is their prerogative, chose instead to accept my two-week notice dated 3/18/13. Basically, I pitched an ultimatum to the station and they made the choice to pass on my proposal.

Some rumors that are totally unfounded and untrue: I'm not going to any other station in town and haven't been contacted by any other media outlet. I have mostly enjoyed my time at KTBS, especially the people I have had the opportunity to cover/get to know over the years. High school coaches are the unsung heroes in our communities and are grossly underpaid for all they provide. For those fearing for our future? Go to a High School baseball, softball, football, soccer, or basketball game---attend a track and field meet---you'll see young men and women competing with all their might and skill in the true spirit of competition. The games/meets are a culmination of hours upon hours of preparation. I have always loved the stories that develop in 48 minutes of football or 32 minutes of hoops or 7 innings on the diamond.

The good news, for me, is---I'm going to continue to cover all the sports that I'm accustomed to covering. My radio show will continue on KWKH (AM1130, The Tiger)... with plans for expansion of hours and product on the horizon. I will be able to devote a LOT more time to writing, in particular our blog (www.TheTimFletcherShow.Blogspot.Com) and various other projects.

To my fellow employees (even the one whose "brother" says I'm hard to deal with and feel irreplaceable--comments section of the tv blog) from 1999 thru today: I have enjoyed so many great times, and commiserated over so many rough times. It has been a blast to work with so many folks over the year... I "think" i've been a pretty good co-worker, not all the time, but MOST of the time.

I am so fortunate to have a great wife in Alysia Starnes Fletcher and three kids who have put up with my absence for too many years, especially Sydney Fletcher who saw more of me inside the station's walls and at games than our own dinner table. Looking forward to spending high-Quality time with Aly, Syd, Caroline Copeland and Pearce Copeland starting Saturday...

For those that have never liked me on air, your wish has been granted---albeit, 18+ years after H.Lee Bryant hired me straight out of U.A.L.R. to take over weekends at KTAL.

We will be around... looking forward to the next, great, big, leap!

Tip: KTBS Sports Director Leaving

This from a tipster:

Tim Fletcher departs KTBS Friday. Search for new sports director begins.

Shreveport Station Touts Accuracy of Weather Forecasts

The KTAL/Channel 6/Shreveport weather team has been rated in the top ten most accurate in the country...according to WeatheRate.  The announcement was made at the top of the station's 10pm newscast Monday. KTAL chief weather guesser Todd Warren said his team's forecast was voted the most accurate in the ArkLaTex...and the 6th most accurate in the nation. WeatheRate ranks 300 stations all across the US on their accuracy of their weather forecasts.

New Reporter Headed to The Rock

A new reporter will soon be on the streets for KARK/KLRT.  The Orlando Sentinel reports Drew Petrimoulx will be on the job March 25th.  Petrimoulx left  ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9 in January.  Petrimoulx says, "One reason I’m going is because it’s the state capital, and I have the chance to report on politics. The concentration on politics drew me there.”

Hat tip Tv Spy

NWA Reporter Flies the Coop

This from a tipster:

Mallory Cooke has left KFSM-TV 5 in Fort smith as of Friday ... she is moving back to Jackson, Tenn. as a morning anchor ... she came to Fort smith in August 2010 from Jackson as general assignment reporter ... F acebook page said she is moving to be closer to family and fiancé (engaged recently) 

From Facebook: Today is my last day here at 5NEWS. I've accepted a morning anchor/reporter job at a television station in Tennessee. The move allows me to be with my fiance and closer to friends and family.

I've had a BLAST working here in Arkansas! I will miss you all!

Something to Make Ya Go Hmmmmmm....

A tipster makes this observation about Saturday evening's KTHV newscast:

Liz Massey anchoring KTHV newscast tonight with live report from Pam Baccam. Anchor change taking place?

UPDATE: Pam Baccam tweeted today was her last day...AND Liz is just filling in.

FCC Overhaul of Joint Sales Agreements Alive and Well

An overhaul of Joint Sales Agreements regulations could be on the horizon.  TV News Check reports despite of a temporary hold on new regulations the issue is still on the table of  the FCC.  The decision to put the review on hold came from the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council so it can complete a study on how the proposed rules' effects minority ownership and news gathering.  Of course this comes on the heels of Mission Broadcasting purchasing KLRT and KASN.  Nexstar;'s KARK is currently operating both stations. 

Hat tip TV Spy

Shreveport Station Finally Gets There....

KSLA/Channel 12/Shreveport has started streaming its newscasts.  As of Friday all KSLA newscasts can be seen via the station's webpage...or via a mobile app viewers can download onto their smart phone or Ipad.  I am not sure but I think KSLA is the only Shreveport station that makes its newscasts available on the internet and/or via a smart phone or Ipad.