C Block 1566 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I'm back in Denver after a departure, and one thing I've noticed is that KUSA has adopted the NBC network graphics for several promos for the morning and evening news, topicals, teases during newscasts, and even the 10pm open. Take a look at the open near the beginning and that commercial playoff at about 2:20: The music during the open is different too. I think it's actually a nice break from the dreadful Gannett graphics, though I wonder why they've done this in the first place. Is this just something for the Olympics, perhaps? Also, has anybody seen any other NBC affiliates or other NBC Gannett stations that are doing the same thing? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 KUSA has always been a little sketchy on their graphics usage.They used the talent bumps from their previous graphics and music package (the one by Third Street) over three years after the standardization switch. Even in that process there was anchor, weather, and sports staff shake-ups. I think when Ashton Alteri left for KXTV, they finally realized that they couldn't use them anymore. So they just dropped them entirely and haven't used any form of talent bumper since mid 2011. These graphics popped up in about March as just promo spots originally. They extended them to cover so opens too. Although 9News at 10 doesn't consistently use this as their 10pm open. I don't know why. It is better than their standards, but the rest of the graphics haven't been altered to a similar motif. I am guessing that is production music too, since it really doesn't fit with anything I have heard. Unless someone has the full Gannett package and can tell me otherwise! What happens when NBC changes branding in the fall? They have had that slogan since 2009. I think we may be looking towards a network-wide graphics and campaign update since Comcast took over. The most opportune time is during the fall when the new prime-time season begins. Comcast will want to put its own visible mark on the network. Realize that KUSA is the Gannett flagship. We are more likely to see production experiments here than at the other Gannett station. One thing that I have recently noticed is that KUSA has changed their bug. Look at 0:48 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bammy9 26 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 KUSA is probably going to go fully blown with the package in the summer I bet.... My guess at the music more than likely a custom package. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73107 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjohnson 17 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I like the style. I could a see a pretty classy looking red version of these on KSDK (their favored color). Hopefully there's a package behind these. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73109 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1917 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I heard a rumor a number of months ago that a new Gannett graphics package was in the works. This is probably it. Edit: https://www.facebook.com/GannettGraphicsGroup/posts/10150835957872987 Any new graphics packages coming soon for your GANNETT STATIONS? We are always looking into the future for new ways to present the news' date=' although [b']no exact date has been set on this yet[/b]. emphasis mine. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73121 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 396 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 KUSA adopting the NBC graphics package; using it for news opens, bumpers and promos. Along with that, Channel 9 added a different news theme. I Love It how KUSA broke out of the Gannett standardization a little bit. Even though sister station KARE Channel 11 (Minneapolis/St. Paul) uses the standardized graphics, NBC11 still holds on to the KARE 11 News package by 3rd Street Music. KUSA adopting the NBC promo graphics package, and changing the theme music (NBC News theme); those are what I'd like to see happen. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73123 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 596 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 That isn't a custom news theme, it's a production track from Killer Tracks called "Nightly Report" Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Weeters said I heard a rumor a number of months ago that a new Gannett graphics package was in the works. This is probably it. I saw this the today. Someone confronted G3 with a couple of questions regarding what Weeters had said. He wrote: 1. Is the graphics package shown during 9News at 10 recently, which has an similar NBC network flare, a demonstration of the package which will be rolled out to the group? 2. If not, will a demonstration of this new package be posted on this Facebook page (similar to what KDVR did when they announced their new gfx) and will 9News be the first to show this package? G3 responded: Any new look that we plan to develop in the future will be completely different than graphics that we have now, so the answer to your question would be no, it will not look like anything that is airing presently. A demonstration will not be shown on our site as well during our "construction process". There is no specific date set on a new look at this time. Thank you! The previous is a lite edit. All text is attributed to each FaceBook contributor. The poster of there comments maintains no ownership. This post can still be found up on Facebook under G3's page. https://www.facebook.com/GannettGraphicsGroup/posts/10150843512167987?notif_t=feed_comment So as G3 maintains, these new graphics are just for 9News and nothing more. A new GFX package may be coming forthwith, but this isn't it. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73134 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Well it looks like a new set is in the works (finally)... http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1669486524001&odyssey=mod%7Ctvideo%7Cumbrella I'm going to venture an unlikely guess and say it'll be Clickspring. Then again, knowing how cheap Gannett can be these days, it'll probably be FX Group... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTVNews 1377 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Well it looks like a new set is in the works (finally)... http://www.9news.com...ideo%7Cumbrella I'm going to venture an unlikely guess and say it'll be Clickspring. Then again, knowing how cheap Gannett can be these days, it'll probably be FX Group... I'm predicting that FX Group will install the new set. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73215 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVNewsRI 4 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 It would be awesome if they launched a new set and new graphics package at the same time. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
channel2 979 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 If they are replacing the set I'll be happy. The one they have now has far too much blue in it for my liking. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaskanews 113 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 They JUST got new duratrans a few months ago, I would guess it's refresh. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73218 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I'm going to venture an unlikely guess and say it'll be Clickspring. Then again, knowing how cheap Gannett can be these days, it'll probably be FX Group... I doubt it. But I do hope Clickspring. Despite KUSA having the the highest ratings in the market (barely), they have one of the worst sets, although KDVR's set (a left-over from the Dennis Leonard Admin) isn't far off. I am surprised that WKYC has a better set than the Gannett Primary. It would be awesome if they launched a new set and new graphics package at the same time. I talked to G3. No new graphics are in the works (yet), and certainly will not be debuted when the set is refreshed. If they are replacing the set I'll be happy. The one they have now has far too much blue in it for my liking. Yes I agree. Too much blue. And I hope the bring in a new desk. I really don't like the shape of the current one. They JUST got new duratrans a few months ago, I would guess it's refresh. I don't think so. I think Patty Dennis wasn't happy with the new duratrans and I think a new set is necessary. If they do it correctly, the duratrans can be used for a new set too. Me personally, I am looking for a logo update which hasn't changed since 1984 and for them to get rid of Roger Thompson as Voice Over, whom they have had doing imaging since about 1988. I would prefer 9News expanding their marketing direction and branding themselves 'NBC Rocky Mountain'. I think this would be a smart move because they coverage expands across much of the Mountain Time Zone, and they are received via satellite in the Gulf. In would be a good idea to incorporate as much of those markets into their broadcasts as possible. Finally, here is a better video of the update instead of Cheryl Preheim and Eric Kahnert just talking about it: http://www.9news.com/news/article/270910/151/9NEWS-set-undergoes-a-refresh Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted June 7, 2012 Author Share Posted June 7, 2012 Me personally, I am looking for a logo update which hasn't changed since 1984 and for them to get rid of Roger Thompson as Voice Over, whom they have had doing imaging since about 1988. I would prefer 9News expanding their marketing direction and branding themselves 'NBC Rocky Mountain'. I think this would be a smart move because they coverage expands across much of the Mountain Time Zone, and they are received via satellite in the Gulf. In would be a good idea to incorporate as much of those markets into their broadcasts as possible. That's a terrible idea. KUSA, and even when it was KBTV, has built a brand for the last three decades around 9News. There's a reason why it's number one. That branding is so engrained in the heads of the people of Denver that everybody in Denver goes to channel 9 for news. Every station in town has changed branding multiple times in 30 years, while channel 9 has always been 9News. There's too much brand equity in that branding, and it's pretty impressive that they have the 9News.com domain (even 9 in Australia or KCAL in LA didn't snatch that up). Updating the logo wouldn't be a bad idea, but it would be stupid stupid stupid to call it anything but 9News, or even worse, call it "NBC Rocky Mountain" and I'm happy that the professionals at KUSA know better than that. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73260 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I posted: Me personally, I am looking for a logo update which hasn't changed since 1984 and for them to get rid of Roger Thompson as Voice Over, whom they have had doing imaging since about 1988. I would prefer 9News expanding their marketing direction and branding themselves 'NBC Rocky Mountain'. I think this would be a smart move because they coverage expands across much of the Mountain Time Zone, and they are received via satellite in the Gulf. In would be a good idea to incorporate as much of those markets into their broadcasts as possible. Charles responded: That's a terrible idea. KUSA, and even when it was KBTV, has built a brand for the last three decades around 9News. There's a reason why it's number one. That branding is so ingrained in the heads of the people of Denver that everybody in Denver goes to channel 9 for news. Every station in town has changed branding multiple times in 30 years, while channel 9 has always been 9News. There's too much brand equity in that branding, and it's pretty impressive that they have the 9News.com domain (even 9 in Australia or KCAL in LA didn't snatch that up). Updating the logo wouldn't be a bad idea, but it would be stupid stupid stupid to call it anything but 9News, or even worse, call it "NBC Rocky Mountain" and I'm happy that the professionals at KUSA know better than that. I admit you may be right. "9News" may be good branding. My only thought is to create a more MST appealing station to attract advertisers. I currently see 9News only appealing to Denverites, where I know they have viewers across the entire time zone! So yes, "NBC Rocky Mountain" may not be the best, while "9News" branding is such a well known community name. How would you suggest the expand their base? It very well could be that their new slogan "Everywhere" is trying to accomplish this. Frankly I think "Everywhere" is a little arrogant and shows that the station has absolutely no commitment to hard hitting stories. I know this is not true, but they don't advertise that way. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73268 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProButtonPusher 230 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I admit you may be right. "9News" may be good branding. My only thought is to create a more MST appealing station to attract advertisers. [...] How would you suggest the expand their base? Do they need to "expand their base" if they're already a dominant station? Plus, since they are "#1", I doubt they have much trouble with advertising. This recommendation seems pretty superficial, and would just add confusion to their strong brand. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 They are really leaving out a lot of people north, south, and in some degree east of the Denver-Metro area. Plus they are about to be overtaken by KCNC. I know KMGH is 3rd in the market, so I wonder what Scripps will do to pull there ratings up. Frankly, I am surprised KUSA is still number one. I am not a big fan of Adele Arakawa and Mark Koebrich. Arakawa seems uninterested in doing the news anymore, and Koebrich is too goofy. The investigate team isn't the strongest either. Kyle Clark is a good reporter and good anchor, and yes he hit the Coffman thing head-on (good on him), but I don't see the rest of the station pulling hard and fast punches. I find the newscasts a little boring. While KMGH's graphics and music package is out of date, their investigative team is really strong (which is evident by their Emmy award in 2011 for Outstanding Regional News Story in Investigative Reporting) and Mike Nelson is by far the best meteorologist on air. Kathy Sabine seems to be in a presentation rut. In fact, there was a terrible storm last night. Quarter size hail fell and a lot of lighting abound. It is unusual to get Tornado Warnings at 1:30 am and have the NWS put out a Bolo. I guarantee half of the metro area did not sleep. Mike said that this is "the Weather Super Bowl". He and Matt Makens were on the only meteorologists on air during the worst part of the storm; about 12:30 to 2:00 am with live weather coverage, Unscripted and Uninterrupted. I am really impressed with their work ethic. If Scripps restructures the station programming, move around, add/delete syndies and makes minor changes to station staff, I think KMGH could be at least #2. If ABC7 can be "The Team to Watch" in New York, why can't they be in Colorado? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73274 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 First of all...it still doesn't make much sense to appeal to viewers outside Denver or Colorado. 80% of Colorado's population lives in the Front Range, and Denver is the capitol in addition to being the largest business center in the state. Yes, there are viewers on the eastern plains and in the mountains, but the number of viewers there are paltry in comparison to the 1.6 million TV households in the Denver DMA. There are two other markets in the state (Colorado Springs and Grand Junction) that serve their respective regions, but even if you watch the newscasts in those markets, a lot of the news revolves around Denver, because...Denver is the largest city in Colorado, the capitol, and the largest business center in the state. The Denver stations *could* do a better job of reporting other news in the state, but it doesn't make sense to change branding to reflect other parts of the state when their primary purpose is to serve the Denver metro area. Second of all...let me tell you a secret I know about the Denver market. It's top secret. The Denver TV news stations are all very, very similar. And they all put out inferior products. Shhh. Every newscast on every station in this market is very similar in content. To begin with, this market focuses way too much on weather. Colorado is a crazy state for weather, but anybody who's lived here for more than a month knows that and gets used to it. The hail coverage today, while important, was overkill. And whenever there's a few inches of snow in December or January, it's the top story on every 10:00 newscast in addition to the normal 2-3 weather hits. There's too much Broncos talk, even in the off season. And for Christ's sake, nobody wants to hear about Tebow at Jets practice in June! He left the town and we're happy to be done with him! In terms of news, crime seems to be the only thing they have interest in covering. The TV stations could do a much, much better job of giving more time to political news from Cap Hill. Local business news is nonexistent. I also think none of them do a very good job of reporting on Denver's rising arts & culture scenes. But they all end up covering the same tired roster of news, and all the newscasts end up looking mostly the same— crime story, short piece of local government news, random human interest story, weather, pointless national news, more weather, sport, more sport, and some sort of cute animal to close the newscast. Look at the montages of the 10:00 newscasts that I posted on my YouTube channel (my KDVR one is coming soon), and they are all remarkably similar in terms of content. And they're all mediocre. So why is channel 9 number 1? Are they really *that* much better than channel 4? Not really. I think people just turn to channel 9 out of habit because they've been number 1 for so long, and also because channel 9 has remained consistent. Consistently average. They cover enough real news to make the newscast appear informative, but they have enough fluff to keep viewers mindlessly entertained. Their anchors have all been there forever, and they're all reasonably likable and professional on television. Most importantly, they've kept their branding consistent. They found something that works and they've stuck with it. I'm sorry to get on my soapbox, but after being in town again, I've forgotten how disappointing the local news is here. And a lot of this is true for most other markets in the country— local news, in general, is an inferior source of news and is often more an entertainment and sales vehicle than anything. The thing that sucks about the Denver DMA is that the ratings race is far less interesting than in other markets with channel 9 being consistently number 1 when all the stations are largely a carbon copy of one another. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTVNews 1377 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRAP-TV 146 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Interesting scoop, Tex! They both look like design studies. Any word on which design they chose (assuming they did go with Production Design Group)? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73291 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for posting that. I wonder which one they'll go with. The bottom one reminds me a lot of the WNBC 2003 set. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73292 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha 2896 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 KUSA could be due for an *update* to their imaging (that 9 does look a little tired now) but I think I would want to finally ditch Roger Thompson. VOs can seriously degrade in quality (example: Paul Anthony), and it looks like something less extreme has happened to Roger. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73297 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRAP-TV 146 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Well, they are back on the main set, and I'm not seeing much that has changed. Maybe I need to look closer... EDIT: Looks like the floor has been refinished - it's blue. Maybe they painted some trim, replaced some carpet patches, etc. Otherwise, it's the same set. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73427 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 It looks like all that they redid was the floor. It's a lot shinier now and doesn't have those blue lines on it. What a disappointment though. From what the talent said on air, they made it sound like they were at least doing something to it other than painting the floor. And now I wonder if those sketches that TexasTVNews posted were just the sketches from 2004 when they commissioned the set. Edit: It looks like they've maybe changed the backdrop behind the RP screen on the left so that the mountains printed on it are all blue instead of in color. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/11911-kusas-new-open-and-new-set/#findComment-73428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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