PTVNews

I heard KREM debuted their new "director-less" automation today. They have clips on their Youtube but they are without graphics.

The fake windows ruin the effect. Otherwise not bad, but I feel the textures could be improved to make it even more realistic.

That's what I heard too. That Tegna is testing (or I guess actually implementing) a cheaper automation system at several stations to see if it'll work in place of the traditional systems (Ignite/ELC/Overdrive). Sounds like some of the stations selected were already automated too. Not sure what the AI component is or could be. The KREM guy on Reddit said all production staff were laid off, but I can't imagine the technology exists yet to run completely without a director in the booth. Unless Tegna is fine with low quality productions that have no flexibility...? Personally, I CAN imagine software that does the coding part, which would enable a single director to then be able to booth multiple, possibly back to back shows, resulting in a headcount reduction. Combine that with, and I'm totally speculating here, "hubbing" directing like Tegna has done with graphics and marketing, and they could get some "efficiencies".

And so now the Tegna suits have directed station IT to lock down and restrict access to the election systems. You'd think they would have a regular standard of appropriate access for various workgroups.

No Wolf on the list!

Why did they ditch Paris?

I was wondering if some of the highlight music was custom or production music. Particularly what they play when promoting the Late Night coverage.

Ideally stations that have generators would regularly test them. Stations should also have multiple disaster recovery plans for various scenarios with different options. In terms of master control, depends on type of MC/hub. If the equipment is housed at the station (with the power out), not much a HUB can do.

Wasn't their last cut of music a custom piece? I never heard it on another Tegna station....may be the same with this one. The open music sounds like Al Jazeera to start and the sting sounds similar to the Tegna elections theme. Not really liking the tease bed though. I wonder if there is a longer or alternate cut? I know a lot of the newer additional themes Sixième Son made for Tegna are just a bunch of mini loops strung together to make a 1-2 minute track, sometimes resulting in a disjointed theme. I do like the graphics in the open. It's obviously designed with their logo in mind, so I don't think it would translate as well to other stations.

I'm watching on CNN, but curious to know what happened with NBC.

I don't follow WFLD that close but I did hear a while back that they had plans to update to a seamless monitor background. If that hasn't happened yet, this could be that.

I'm not sure if this was ever confirmed or not, but after reading this when posted, I've been on the lookout on KPTV for signs of change. This past week they debuted new mic flags with the brand of "12 News", which is definitely new for them. Still uses similar styling. No other graphical or audible changes. Everyone is still tagging out with "FOX 12 Oregon". I'm guessing this probably is an indication of a larger branding change, (and in my opinion dumb), otherwise why the new mic flags? Maybe trying to introduce it slowly and fade out "FOX" slowly?

I have CNN on in the background now and CNN Newsroom with Max and Bianca is on at 1am Pacific. I'm glad because it would be a downgrade to have the timeslot be a repeat/non-live hour,....plus I like the duo and the CNNI vibe.

FOX 12 Oregon I'm pretty sure would keep their branding with FOX if they could. They do not see it as a liability. Yes, people repulsed by FOX probably don't watch just due to the name, but the local content is not skewed conservative, though they do run FOX News packages to fill time. FOX 12 gets high ratings as-is, so I think they are content with their audience. As for the logistics of changing their branding, it would be a big change to drop FOX. Like you said they could go back to the old branding of Oregon's 12, which I like but I'm not sure if it sounds fresh and modern or old timey. I'm also not sure if any instance of using their call letters as branding would be on the table. The only time they mention them is referring to their website, KPTV.com. I think it would be too clunky in opens and whatnot along with their slogan (First. Live. Local.) and show titles. Then again, I thought it was clunky when KGW dropped NewsChannel 8 from their branding and just went with KGW News, but I got used to it, but it works for them as they have no slogan or separate show names.....just KGW News at 5, etc, etc. The duopoly station (KPDX) currently is FOX 12 Plus, but was previously branded as PDX TV which they could go back to. Maybe use some form of that on KPTV???

Notice how the live bug has 90 degree angles on both sides? I'm seeing some shows like this and others with the left curve still there.

The description from the article made me think of NBC News Daily.

It's basically Bill Weir's beat. He fronts his reports live from some pretty interesting locations.

Looks like CNN is debuting their updated graphics (lower thirds) this morning. Pretty underwhelming in my opinion. Not really liking the rounded/bubble corner look or the gradients. Seems cartoonish. The time has been moved to the left side of the ticker and show name to a tab above the L3. There is a red wipe used to animate them on or between changes. I do like the name supers. So far all names have been full size and not shared with a headline.

He made offers of $20-$23/share before Standard General outbid him. Now that the stock price has since tanked, maybe he can "afford" it now.

Thanks! So what is it about that structure that puts them in a better position than other station groups? Seems like taking on the debt would be burdensome in some ways, but you say they are "structured" to handle it well. What does that mean exactly?

I don't know how long it's been happening at Gray stations but once Gray bought Meredith, they unfortunately forced this weather branding and scheme onto KPTV. Their main evening meteorologist is probably the best in the market and I feel bad he has to shill this new marketing as he is usually pretty non-sensational. KPTV has a pretty solid combined news and weather branding. "First. Live. Local." Not anymore.

Can you explain this more? I'd like to understand it better. Thanks!

I've heard rumors of spending and hiring freezes at some Tegna stations. Does anyone know if it's company wide and potentially related to the sale? If so, why?

I was going to post in the Tegna thread but I heard the same thing is happening there....a spending and hiring freeze. Was guessing it was related to the potential sale but I guess there could be other reasons.

I was just wondering about the plans for CNN This Mornings's set. It was my understanding their current location is temporary while a permanent set is built. I was assuming the old New Day studio was going to be used but maybe not. A couple night ago I saw John Berman using the touchscreen monitor in what appeared to be the old New Day studio (bricks in the background). They stayed on a tight shot so wasn't able to tell much more than that. That made me think they haven't started work or are not planning to use that space for CNN This Morning.