Nexstar podcasting

[tyrannical bastard 4683]

This is not meant to be a list thread, but it seems like Nexstar is **finally** embracing the internet and OTT apps, and has taken a deep dive into podcasting.

The catch?  These shows are not only being broadcast on air, but are pushing out traditional newscasts and recent layoffs seem to corroborate this.

The ones i've seen so far are WKRG's weekend sports show morphing into their "Southeast Sports" podcast, a joint venture between several Nexstar stations in the southeast.

Any other notable ones?

[24994J 5899]

One station in Missouri is going all-in on such a format, completely ditching their main studio. The new format and logo/graphics will debut very soon.

Edited Monday at 04:30 PM by 24994J

[mre29 1972]

2 hours ago, 24994J said:

One station in Missouri is going all-in on such a format, completely ditching their main studio. The new format and logo/graphics will debut very soon.

 

And that station is...?

 

[24994J 5899]

I initially disclosed it, but retracted it, as I forgot that I received it as kind of private info. I will say that it's debuting today at 5 CT. I'll post about it then.

[ScottSchell 424]

2 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

And that station is...?

 

KODE in Joplin cause they have posted this.

Also KFOR’s 6:30pm newscast is now a podcast style newscast called The Breakdown.

https://www.youtube.com/live/GkIyMCz78zk?is=RAbqmpLz6SNVSuBl

 

Edited Monday at 09:20 PM by ScottSchell

[hfiles 106]

WFRV has a 3:30 show that is very podcast-esque called "Local 5 News Off the Desk."

[tyrannical bastard 4683]

Has KODE always had separate(ish) newscasts since they consolidated with KSNF?

These shows are much more efficient and cost-effective than full blown newscasts.  Hosts run their own graphics, roll their own video, etc. 

And the components are likely a fraction of the cost of traditional broadcast equipment.  (PTZ cameras, podcast mics, Elgato controllers, etc...)

 

The cost is high for what they blew up to replace them with.  But the return on investment may be just enough to be a second voice in an ecosystem Nexstar created for themselves through relentless cost-cutting and consolidation.

It's not prime time, but it's certainly better than simulcasting or giving up local content altogether...

[ScottSchell 424]

59 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Has KODE always had separate(ish) newscasts since they consolidated with KSNF?

These shows are much more efficient and cost-effective than full blown newscasts.  Hosts run their own graphics, roll their own video, etc. 

And the components are likely a fraction of the cost of traditional broadcast equipment.  (PTZ cameras, podcast mics, Elgato controllers, etc...)

 

The cost is high for what they blew up to replace them with.  But the return on investment may be just enough to be a second voice in an ecosystem Nexstar created for themselves through relentless cost-cutting and consolidation.

It's not prime time, but it's certainly better than simulcasting or giving up local content altogether...

Yes they have had separate newscast just share reporters.

[TheRolyPoly 3541]

WFLA has done this for quite some time now with WFLA News NOW at 11am, doing it from their WFLA NOW streaming studio.

[tyrannical bastard 4683]

9 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

WFLA has done this for quite some time now with WFLA News NOW at 11am, doing it from their WFLA NOW streaming studio.

I know that one's been around for a long time, but how long has it been simulcast on broadcast?
Way back during Hurricane Michael, they picked up the slack for WMBB in Panama City when they took on a direct hit from Hurricane Michael.
They should have embraced OTT way back then, only doing so in the past year or two and even going as far as REVERSING some efforts.

 

Another one I caught on to...KRQE in Albuquerque doing "Fox 505 Feed" in place of their morning newscasts.

 

A lot of these efforts may have been going on a while, they've just been squandered by being limited to the web and facebook, only now they're going all-in with them, sadly at the expense of staff and existing content.

Edited Tuesday at 01:41 PM by tyrannical bastard

[Weeters 2181]

I'll say what I said on Discord about this: it's important to look at this as a digital product being simulcast on TV, instead of "they changed the news to look like this." The traditional newscast was, in essence, canceled, and the time filled with a streaming show.

 

"But this looks bad! It won't get good ratings!" you may say... That's kind of the point? If people want "traditional" news, they can switch over to KSNF and watch most of the same content presented differently. This does not exist to get #1 ratings on TV. It exists to sell OTT targeted advertising to people who, at this point, are used to seeing this format, however "cheap" it looks. 

 

I would not be surprised to see this roll out to more Nexstar duopoly markets.

[Recovering Producer 412]

7 hours ago, Weeters said:

I'll say what I said on Discord about this: it's important to look at this as a digital product being simulcast on TV, instead of "they changed the news to look like this." The traditional newscast was, in essence, canceled, and the time filled with a streaming show.

 

"But this looks bad! It won't get good ratings!" you may say... That's kind of the point? If people want "traditional" news, they can switch over to KSNF and watch most of the same content presented differently. This does not exist to get #1 ratings on TV. It exists to sell OTT targeted advertising to people who, at this point, are used to seeing this format, however "cheap" it looks. 

 

I would not be surprised to see this roll out to more Nexstar duopoly markets.

 

The diverging paths of replacing traditional anchor led newscasts with either this podcast style and playlist (Scrippscast, etc...) style newscast is an interesting situation to see develop, and also shows a divide in how people are consuming media right now. People are either getting information through quick self-contained contained storytelling where TikTok and similar platforms are succeeding or long conversations that can wind and go in all sorts of directions, which works well in podcasts. TV has been slow to respond, and these changes might be too little too late.

 

The problem is podcast and playlist style newscasts are the "we have McDonald's at home" versions of the products they try to emulate. They're constrained by being on linear platforms, still having to deal with specific schedules and time lengths, advertising and sponsor obligations, risk averse corporate policies, expected to color within the lines of being perceived as neutral and objective, and the other limitations that come with being legacy media outlets. And the podcast style definitely is personality dependent. A legacy anchor may not necessarily have the right personality to match the podcast style. 

 

But, ultimately both of these models aren't going away because revenues are dropping and the cost of getting a product to air needs to match budget realities. 

[tyrannical bastard 4683]

This seems to be an extension of the "Digital First" initiatives that have been commonplace for a while now.  I just wish stations would do a better job of updating their own websites instead of relying on Facebook and other social mediums.  I've tended to not follow stations but instead their anchors and reporters because of all the "crap" they post in their feeds.  

Another thing i've started to notice is that severe weather cut-ins are beginning to look podcast-ish or self made.  They basically use the online feed which they broadcast OTT or online, and when it's severe enough to warrant breaking into programming, just simulcast that on air rather than relying on the more traditional methods involving production crews. 

 

In fact, some stations have been wired in a way to where a meteorologist can put themselves on the air.  Basically this involves hooking into the weather computer or chroma key camera, and all the meteorologist has to do is notify master control or the broadcast hub to take them live.

10 hours ago, Weeters said:

I'll say what I said on Discord about this: it's important to look at this as a digital product being simulcast on TV, instead of "they changed the news to look like this." The traditional newscast was, in essence, canceled, and the time filled with a streaming show.

 

"But this looks bad! It won't get good ratings!" you may say... That's kind of the point? If people want "traditional" news, they can switch over to KSNF and watch most of the same content presented differently. This does not exist to get #1 ratings on TV. It exists to sell OTT targeted advertising to people who, at this point, are used to seeing this format, however "cheap" it looks. 

 

I would not be surprised to see this roll out to more Nexstar duopoly markets.

 

We've reached the point in the industry where this is becoming the norm.  Viewers aren't coming back, so out goes the traditional product and in comes the "digital" means as a side effect on the TV side.

[nathannah 2795]

FoxLocal as far as WITI has done really well and it's all pretty much all the regular cameras and their regular graphics system and I've been quite impressed how they've managed to create a second channel online that feels properly done and with full buy-in because it's a great product and I hope everyone is taking notes on how to do that.

 

I also appreciate that Lindsey Slater is pretty much continuing her YouTube and Facebook forecasts she did while waiting out the NDA lawsuit, just now with more WTMJ graphics from their weather system, and WBAY's extended weather discussions online are much more detailed than the actual 10pm forecast.

 

The WFRV product is okay, but it's clear their facility is built for one studio and not doing those shows in a windowed office with odd sound. I also tend to follow stations on Instagram and scroll right past their content because usually it's either a local story that feels like it's rough in that format without proper editing or the reporter trying to 'like milk' with their storytelling style, or irrelevant national stories. The Gray 'vaguesplaining' style of headline ('beloved actor on show dies at 84') has also become REALLY irritating either in notification or social picture form.

 

It's just more about the station and their commitment to me; some stations love to embrace it, while others just follow the consultants or boss edicts, but without any resources added, and it makes for a painful watch.

[MichiganNewsGraphicsJunkie 1159]

I'm looking at it this way: This is still "unchartered territory", regardless if it's Nexstar or Gray or whoever... Is this the wave of the future? Maybe.  With everything going to a subscription based services platform, this may be a winner.  We need to let them find their footing, adjust to viewer feedback, and go accordingly.  I do agree, this will not be a win in every market.  For the duopolies, this would make more sense.  Why have 2 huge sets, 2 sets of anchors/reporters, etc... I'm still very leery of this kind of product, but I'm taking notes and keeping an open mind on the whole thing.