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KMBC's interactive newscasts


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So KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City, has decided that it would start to do this:

 

http://www.kmbc.com/tv/thewrap

 

Literally, a random on-air live stream of their Facebook, twitter and "KMBC.tv" comments. They claim that it helps the viewers interact and engage in their newscasts. They'll ask you a question, ask for your answer and then post the replies on air. Also on the .tv site, they'll have another one of their anchors apparently watch the newscast live and give commentary on either the current news of the day or they're everyday job. The questions seem to have absolutely NO relevance to any news of the day.

 

It's incredibly distracting and I feel a desperate attempt to get ratings. KMBC has fallen significantly as of late, going from a highly rated, respectable, hard news station to a station that is weather-sensationalist (airing a bug for, of all things, WIND ADVISORIES) and nearly tabloid news coverage.

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I forgot to mention, they actually BUILT an entirely new set for this too that's used when they're not on the air or during special little segments during the newscasts that aren't as serious, i.e, the mornings.

 

My how the mighty have fallen.

So KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City, has decided that it would start to do this:

 

http://www.kmbc.com/tv/thewrap

 

Literally, a random on-air live stream of their Facebook, twitter and "KMBC.tv" comments. They claim that it helps the viewers interact and engage in their newscasts. They'll ask you a question, ask for your answer and then post the replies on air. Also on the .tv site, they'll have another one of their anchors apparently watch the newscast live and give commentary on either the current news of the day or they're everyday job. The questions seem to have absolutely NO relevance to any news of the day.

 

It's incredibly distracting and I feel a desperate attempt to get ratings. KMBC has fallen significantly as of late, going from a highly rated, respectable, hard news station to a station that is weather-sensationalist (airing a bug for, of all things, WIND ADVISORIES) and nearly tabloid news coverage.

I didn't realize that KMBC was doing that badly in the ratings. They're still not as bad as KSHB but you're right, it's not the dominant powerhouse they once were.

 

WDAF beat them at 5 and 6 PM I see. I guess they're also lucky KCTV is a disorganized mess right now or else KCTV would probably be the dominant station in KC. They took the throne away from KMBC many times in the 2000's when they had that tabloidy, sensationalist approach. Maybe KMBC thinks it can do the same?

 

I do like the fact that they'll start streaming their newscasts. Outside of WDAF, none of the other stations in KC have embraced this yet.

 

http://www.bottomlinecom.com/kmbc-wins-am-and-late-newscasts-fox-4-wins-at-5-6/

So KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City, has decided that it would start to do this:

 

http://www.kmbc.com/tv/thewrap

 

Literally, a random on-air live stream of their Facebook, twitter and "KMBC.tv" comments. They claim that it helps the viewers interact and engage in their newscasts. They'll ask you a question, ask for your answer and then post the replies on air. Also on the .tv site, they'll have another one of their anchors apparently watch the newscast live and give commentary on either the current news of the day or they're everyday job. The questions seem to have absolutely NO relevance to any news of the day.

 

It's incredibly distracting and I feel a desperate attempt to get ratings. KMBC has fallen significantly as of late, going from a highly rated, respectable, hard news station to a station that is weather-sensationalist (airing a bug for, of all things, WIND ADVISORIES) and nearly tabloid news coverage.

I have heard about this virtual set, however I would like to see it in action!

It's somewhat distracting. If I were anything less than a professional, I could have written "Hello from FOX 4" and put it on KMBC's air easily while KMBC used its new side set.

 

Yes, KMBC is breaking news/weather-crazy right now. I think their bigger problem is the 1.0 rating drawn by Dr. Oz at 4:00 on a typical afternoon. It puts their 5:00 news in a hole right away. KMBC still does very well at 10:00 and still wins the mornings, though not by much.

 

KCTV won the first 5/6pm shows of the current book, by the way.

"Interactive Newscast" generally tends to be synonymous with "Throw shit at the wall and see what sticks."

 

Nobody wants interactive newscasts, except consultants who want to increase "viewer interaction" or industry bloggers trying to be hip and trendy.

I didn't realize that KMBC was doing that badly in the ratings. They're still not as bad as KSHB but you're right, it's not the dominant powerhouse they once were.

 

WDAF beat them at 5 and 6 PM I see. I guess they're also lucky KCTV is a disorganized mess right now or else KCTV would probably be the dominant station in KC. They took the throne away from KMBC many times in the 2000's when they had that tabloidy, sensationalist approach. Maybe KMBC thinks it can do the same?

 

I do like the fact that they'll start streaming their newscasts. Outside of WDAF, none of the other stations in KC have embraced this yet.

 

http://www.bottomlinecom.com/kmbc-wins-am-and-late-newscasts-fox-4-wins-at-5-6/

KCTV actually isn't. Their that one station that's only doing so well because two others are in such a mess. Scripps more or less helped to destroy any progress KSHB had made when they fired their last ND and their last GM suddenly "retired." Plus, nearly all of their reporters joined the station within the last two years, so there's no consistency. WDAF is benefiting from Scripps due to KSHB having to get rid of Wheel of Fortune. KMBC is suffering probably because of their new boss.

 

 

I have heard about this virtual set, however I would like to see it in action!

It's actually pretty cool and if it wasn't for the fact that you knew it was virtual, you probably wouldn't know. I just don't like how they have those iPad stands there. They're obviously very awkward to use.

So KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City, has decided that it would start to do this:

 

http://www.kmbc.com/tv/thewrap

 

Literally, a random on-air live stream of their Facebook, twitter and "KMBC.tv" comments. They claim that it helps the viewers interact and engage in their newscasts. They'll ask you a question, ask for your answer and then post the replies on air. Also on the .tv site, they'll have another one of their anchors apparently watch the newscast live and give commentary on either the current news of the day or they're everyday job. The questions seem to have absolutely NO relevance to any news of the day.

 

It's incredibly distracting and I feel a desperate attempt to get ratings. KMBC has fallen significantly as of late, going from a highly rated, respectable, hard news station to a station that is weather-sensationalist (airing a bug for, of all things, WIND ADVISORIES) and nearly tabloid news coverage.

This is what I would call "The WWE Method".

 

WWE, like KMBC, is embracing social media. And by "embracing", I mean "desperately flash Twitter account names, hashtags, and tweets on the air every five seconds in a vain attempt to look like people are talking about you". And they succeed in just that, if only because half of the people reposting those hashtags are WWE accounts. I can see why they're doing it. They want to look modern, like they're embracing social media. When you actually name a tag team "The Prime Time Players", a reference that few people under 40 will probably get, you probably do want to look modern and like you're embracing social media.

 

You could, oh, build a twitter following by letting the talent speak for themselves and create discussions organically, but why do something that laborious when you can just use brute force? That's what KMBC is using.

 

Also Wind Warning crawls? That's insane and stupid and...

 

...excuse me a minute...

 

No, I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to use the Jim Gardner Facepalm. I just used a comparison to professional wrestling sports entertainment, and I don't think it's appropriate to use one of the best news personalities in the country for that. Not for a reference so low.

 

Therefore, I will refrain from using the Jim Gardner Facepalm. Sorry, folks...

It's somewhat distracting. If I were anything less than a professional, I could have written "Hello from FOX 4" and put it on KMBC's air easily while KMBC used its new side set.

 

Yes, KMBC is breaking news/weather-crazy right now. I think their bigger problem is the 1.0 rating drawn by Dr. Oz at 4:00 on a typical afternoon. It puts their 5:00 news in a hole right away. KMBC still does very well at 10:00 and still wins the mornings, though not by much.

 

KCTV won the first 5/6pm shows of the current book, by the way.

Dr. Oz does seem toxic to them for some reason. I wonder what else KMBC can put in the 4PM slot to draw in a bigger audience?

 

Glad to hear about KCTV though, I know a few years back they had some drama with reporters/anchors/meteorolgists leaving as well as the News Director leaving a few years back.I guess the dust has finally settled over there.

Dr. Oz does seem toxic to them for some reason. I wonder what else KMBC can put in the 4PM slot to draw in a bigger audience?

 

Glad to hear about KCTV though, I know a few years back they had some drama with reporters/anchors/meteorolgists leaving as well as the News Director leaving a few years back.I guess the dust has finally settled over there.

A newscast. I guarantee you that KMBC would put yet ANOTHER newscast there compared to some other syndie.

Dr. Oz does seem toxic to them for some reason. I wonder what else KMBC can put in the 4PM slot to draw in a bigger audience?

 

Glad to hear about KCTV though, I know a few years back they had some drama with reporters/anchors/meteorolgists leaving as well as the News Director leaving a few years back.I guess the dust has finally settled over there.

A newscast. I guarantee you that KMBC would put yet ANOTHER newscast there compared to some other syndie.

News seems like the logical choice. But is it any more beneficial? KCTV and KSHB already air news from 4:00 to 5:00. We air Judge Judy, which does surprisingly well, alternating first and second with KCTV's news in that time slot.

 

Part of KMBC's live streaming/interactive content includes extending the news to the 5:30-6:00 time slot, online only. As of now, one anchor is interviewing a doctor and wrapping around some soundbites. Another anchor is in the second window chatting with the viewers. So they are pursuing some unique, sponsored online content.

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