FCC Cracking Down on Joint Service Agreements

This from the tip box...one can't help but wonder what Nexstar/Mission Broadcasting thinks about this.


The Federal Communications Commission voted Monday to bar companies from controlling two or more TV stations in the same local market by using a single advertising sales staff.
 
The commission voted 3-2 to support Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to crack down on joint ad sales agreements between TV stations, which have proliferated in part because of a wave of consolidation in the broadcast industry. There are 128 joint-sales agreements in place around the country, according to Patrick Communications, a telecom brokerage firm in Maryland.

As a result of the vote, any station handling more than 15% of ad sales for another station will be considered the owner of both going forward, similar to how the FCC's rules treat radio stations. Stations will have two years to unwind the agreements or secure a waiver from the FCC.

Two KLRT Reporters Getting Out of the Biz

This from the tip jar:

 Hubert Tate and Dustin Barnes are on the outs at KARK/Fox16...both are getting out of the industry.  Barnes will stick around here & Tate is going to DC to work with the Human Rights Campaign

Little Rock Reporter Packing Up for DC

KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock reporter Jeannette Reyes has left the station.  Saturday was Reyes' last day.  Reyes will be making the move to Allbritton's station in DC:

NWA Anchor Jailed on DWI Charge

KFSM/Channel 5/Fort Smith weekend anchor Austin Reed was arrested on DWI, careless driving and violating the implied consent law.  KFSM reposrts the anchor was involved in a single vehicle accident on Thursday, March 20.  

Former ArkLaTex Anchor Joins Little Rock Station

Source:KTHV  President and General Manager Michael Caplan announced Denise Middleton as the newest member of the THV11 team.

"Denise is an exceptional person and talented journalist who will be a great fit with Craig, Dawn and Ed in the evenings", stated Caplan.

Denise is a Houston native and most recently the Morning Anchor at KSLA in Shreveport, Louisiana. Prior to that, she worked as a General Assignment reporter for KHAS in Hastings, Nebraska.

THV11 News Director, Dave Parker said, "I am very excited to have Denise on board. She brings a wealth of knowledge, energy, and passion to her work. Denise's commitment to community is an important foundation for sharing the stories important to Arkansans."
Denise and her family are very excited about their future here in Central Arkansas!

Trouble in Paradise?

This from the tip jar:

Regarding your post about Pat Simon and KSLA: A similar situation is unfolding at KATV with Christina Munoz. Reports from sources say KATV news director refuses to let Munoz out of her contract to take the job in PR at UCA in Conway. Munoz has reportedly hired a lawyer, so this could get ugly.

More Americans Get Their News From Local News Than From Any Other Source

A new study is out showing local news is the favorite by which Americans get their news information.  The study was conducted by the American Press Institute.  Here are the findings:

Among the different types of TV news, more Americans (82 percent) turn to their local TV news stations either through the TV broadcast or online than another other type. Sizeable majorities also cite the three national network broadcast news operations (73 percent) in their various forms and 24-hour cable news channels (62 percent) — such as Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC — as sources of news, either on television or digitally.

Anchors Away in Shreveport

This from the tip box:

Pat Simon has left KSLA. He was shown the door Friday in a dispute over taking a job out of state in PR and breaching his contract.

Simon had anchored at KSLA/Channel 12/Shreveport since December 2008.

Shreveport Anchor Wins Award for Hairstyle

These days there is an award for just about everything...including for the best hairstyle in journalism.  And who is the winner of that....Jody Lowery. The KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport anchor beat out such names as Betty Nguyen, Alex Witt, Deborah Norville, and Alison Kosik.

Shreveport Station Welcomes Addition to Morning Team

KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport welcomed a new member to its morning news team. T.W.Starr joins the station from WAAY/Huntsville, Alabama.  Starr is a Los Angeles/San Diego, California native. 

Nexstar to Broadcast Weekly Political Program "Statewide"

Just when I had thought Nexstar couldn't make another stupid decision..well they do.  Looks as though Arkansas Today won't be the ONLY Arkansas program ALL the non-Arkansas residents will be subjected to.  Nexstar has plans to broadcast Capital View as it does Arkansas Today to its stations in the Fort Smith-Fayetteville, Memphis, Monroe-El Dorado, Shreveport-Texarkana and Springfield markets.  

KARK made the announcement last week.  “Our company serves every county in Arkansas, so it is important to provide political programming during a crucial election year in not only Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas, but Harrison, Texarkana and El Dorado as well.” said Nexstar Broadcasting Co-Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President Brian Jones.  

Capitol View, which debuted in April 2013 on KARK-TV as Little Rock’s first weekend morning political show, focuses on the issues and newsmakers driving the Arkansas political scene.  Hosted by award-winning journalist David Goins, the show has featured interviews with the biggest names in Arkansas politics including all six members of Arkansas' U.S. congressional delegation, Governor Mike Beebe and former governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.   

David Goins will be the host of the weekly program.  The program will start its statewide broadcast the weekend of March 22-23.

KTHV Reporter Making the Jump to Hotlanta

KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock reporter Daniel Wilkerson is leaving Little Rock for Georgia.  Last month he announced on his facebook page he will be joining WGCL the CBS affiliate in Atlanta. Wilkerson has worked as a MMJ and a weekend news producer for KTHV.

Who Will Fill the Empty Anchor Chair at KATV?

The news of KATV evening anchor Christina Munoz is no doubt the buzz in Little Rock.  Now we turn who will be filling the seat being left empty.  Should KATV bring in someone totally new or promote from within.  Of course the obvious thing to do is promote Beth Hunt to the position.  Everybody knows Beth's face since she has been with the station for a long time now.  If it were me I'd make Beth the co-anchor of the 5,6, and 10 newscasts.  

So who deserves the empty chair?  Please discuss!