The station that perennially finishes behind its competition in the Nielsen Media Research TV ratings put on a performance Tuesday night that was top rate.
KMTV (Cox Channel 5) provided impressive coverage, better analysis and broadcast a nearly flawless 10 p.m. newscast on Election Night.
Not far behind was KETV (Cox Channel 9) which delivered on its "more complete coverage" promise by sharing the most election results, to go along with comprehensive reporting that included streaming live coverage on its website, KETV.com.
WOWT (Cox Channel 8), while much improved from its debacle in the May primary, was clearly third-rate. Technical snafus, ill-timed tosses to reporters in the field and shallow analysis plagued the performance of the NBC affiliate that traditionally owns the 10 o'clock time slot in the Nielsen ratings.
For the purposes of this review, The Reader closely monitored KETV, KMTV and WOWT from 9:56 p.m. (when KMTV and KETV) began their coverage, until approximately 10:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: Although many of the races were not decided until long after that, it is The Reader's belief that a majority of viewers did not stay tuned in for additional coverage.
KMTV, Grade: A
The "Breaking News" philosophy the CBS affiliate has adopted carried over nicely to an Election Night newscast format that rewards hard work and hustle.
KMTV offered live coverage from five locations and had candidate reaction (on tape) from four others.
With veteran reporter Joe Jordan leading off, KMTV hit a home run with Jordan's clear overview of what promised to be a changing political landscape of races across the state.
"Democrats are making gains no one ever expected," Jordan said.
KMTV anchors Deborah Ward and Greg Peterson often provided viewers with "big picture" background on issues and races of importance, providing perspective and insight into how some of the results had changed from the early returns.
The lone knock against KMTV you will find here was Michelle Bandur's awkward start to her interview with Lee Terry: A "Hey, how are you doing? We're live now!" introduction that fell short of the usual high standards of her live reports from the field.
KETV, Grade: B+
First, quantity is not always quality.
Secondly, when you have a ticker scrolling results, do not spend time reading them to the viewers when the time is better spent hearing from the candidates.
Those two factors -- as well as a few technical glitches -- are what kept KETV from matching its top-notch performance on Election Night during the May Primary.
So what did KETV do right? It thoughtfully provided viewers tuning in at 10 p.m. with a "reopen" of its newscast, after starting its coverage at the conclusion of the network's broadcast (9:56 p.m.). Graphics for its full screen boards were top-rate, with most of them featuring the candidates' photos.
And in a throwback to the days when in-studio political analysis was in vogue, Allen Beerman, director of the Nebraska Press Association and former Nebraska Secretary of State, offered commentary on several of the major races.
But there were glaring mistakes that cannot be overlooked.
Anchors Rob McCartney and Julie Cornell mispronounced Shane Osborn's last name, confusing it with former Nebraska football Coach Tom Osborne, who says "Oz-BURN." Reporter Farrah Fazal never explained why she was holding a cell phone up to her ear during a live report and later called the Nebraska State Education Association's Brian Mikkelsen "Brian Mikkels." Reporter Todd Andrews told viewers Ben Nelson was about to speak, only to have McCartney ask him a question (that led to a rushed response) as Nelson began his remarks.
More proof of the subpar performance: Reporter Owen Lei said to Lee Terry "Tell me how you feel right now" and minutes later, reporter Carol Kloss asked Jim Esch virtually the same question ("How does it feel?").
Compare that to KMTV's Jordan, who asked Nelson if he thought there was a message to the White House that Americans want a different handling of the war in Iraq.
WOWT, Grade: B-
From the get-go, WOWT seemed a step slow. Network election coverage provided for several local updates between 8 and 10 p.m., but WOWT sorely missed Ricketts' initial podium appearance around 9 p.m. and his remarks just before 10 that both KETV and KMTV did carry.
"Tonight, Nebraskans have spoken," WOWT viewers did not hear Nelson tell supporters at the start of his "victory" speech.
The live reports WOWT did broadcast were well below market standards. Reporter Rebecca Kleeman was downright giddy during her interview with Terry. She also spent a great deal of time prefacing her own remarks with an apology for "trying not to scream" over the din of the crowd.
From a technical standpoint, a sound bite from Jim Esch was poorly edited (cutting him off in mid-sentence), and Gary Johnson's taped interview with Heineman was overmodulated.
Anchors John Knicely (who also mispronounced "Osborn") and Tracy Madden fell back on generic transitions between segments ("There are many more races to tell you about" and "All politics are local") and spent too much time reading information that was already scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Knicely also incorrectly referred to Esch as a "29-year-old" (he's 30).
From the Laptop: KMTV was first to hit the air (by nearly 15 minutes) with a projection of victories by Nelson and Heineman ... It was KFAB radio, not a TV station, that had the first interview with Senator-Elect Ben Nelson ... A KETV graphic during one of its cut-ins had Pete Ricketts as "Sen. Pete Ricketts" ... Due to technical limitations, The Reader was unable to adequately track coverage for KPTM (Cox Channel 10) at 9 p.m. and KXVO (Cox Channel 11) at 10 p.m. ... Though not related to its election coverage, WOWT showed a full-screen graphic of the Nebraska "N" the entire time sports anchor Merlyn Klaus was reading a story about a University of Miami football player who was shot and killed.
For those of you "media-types" keeping track:
Live Reports:
KMTV (5): Dave Roberts (Pete Ricketts), Joe Jordan (Ben Nelson), Michelle Bandur (Lee Terry), Corey Rangel (Jim Esch), static live (Dave Heineman).
WOWT (4): Brian Mastre (Nelson), Sheila Brummer (Ricketts), Rebecca Kleeman (Terry), Gary Johnson (Heineman).
KETV (9): Brandi Petersen (Ricketts), Todd Andrews (Nelson), Owen Lei (Terry), Carol Kloss (Esch), Mike DiGiacomo (Heineman), Farrah Fazal (Opponents of Initiative 423), Mike Sigmond (Stu Dornan), John Campbell (Don Kleine), Lisa Stites (Proponent of Initiative 423).
Sound on Tape:
KMTV (6): Terry, Dornan, Kleine, Pat Loontjer (Gambling with the Good Life), Dave Nabity (For Amendment 423), Karen Kilgarin (Against Amendment 423).
WOWT (3): Esch, Kleine, Dornan.
KETV (1): Kleine.
"Look Lives":
KMTV (0).
WOWT (0).
KETV (1): Kailyn Reid (David Hahn).
Number of Full Screen Graphics (unofficially):
1. KETV
2. WOWT
3. KMTV
In-Studio Live Reports/Guests:
KMTV: Molli Graham (reporter).
KETV: Allen Beerman (guest analyst).
WOWT: None.
9 comments:
Wow...that's quite an analysis. However were you able to keep track of it all? Here's my take on local reporting of campaign coverage:
It looks like KMTV's coverage was the best in overall content, which makes it a shame that they are watched by the fewest number of viewers. My ONLY beef with KMTV regarding their election coverage is their use of RED, WHITE and BLUE as a name--not so creative. Who came up with it? A desperate producer or director, no doubt. Please don't use it again. Aside from that, I say "great effort" from Action 3 News.
KETV's coverage was fine--the ticker was the easiest to read and the most visually appealing of the 4 stations in town, and they had the most live reports BY FAR. However, the overall coverage would have been more visually appealing if they didn't have that hokey, fake-looking laptop prop on their very dated anchor desk and that cheap-looking Commitment 2006 sign hanging in front of their monitors in the background. (Note to Roseann Shannon and Joel Vilmenay: those "ten year" promos you're running show just how dated your NEWSPLEX really is. Time for a revamp on the 'plex.) Also--and I say this with love--NEVER, EVER let Farrah Fazal do a live report again!!! What are you guys thinking???
KPTM's ticker was informative, however the color scheme was hideous. Looked like an autopsy! The reporting and anchoring was acceptable--for a station with NO BUDGET.
And then there's WOWT. Probably the most watched coverage...and the least impressive (certainly the most boring). This station--like many politicians--must thank their lucky stars every ratings period that the public is, for the most part, stupid and will accept mindless drivel as news as long as they are told that it's from the people they know...the news they trust. But I digress.
Of the 4 local stations, WOWT's ticker was the most difficult to read! I am just glad that they didn't use that humongous pseudo-animated 6 that takes up 1/8th of the screen. The much smaller "6 News" logo was perfect in size and non-intrusive. There...I said something nice.
Really, Fubar mispronounced a name? No way.
I guess at the time Jordan made the comments about the democrats it's made sense because of the early leads (which was expected because most of the early voters were Dems) but in the end how relevant were his comments.
"Jordan's clear overview of what promised to be a changing political landscape of races across the state."
What changed? Ewing in, Dornan out.
You seem excited about taped interviews.
Why run taped interviews with candidates who don't know if they have won or not.
What do you get from those interviews?
"Well just waiting for the votes to be counted."
I also disagree with the opinion that the majority of people didn't stay up past 10:30 pm.
I think many waited and watched both to see what happened locally and how the national landscape would change.
I would call giving Action News 3 an "A" a "Homer" vote.
IMO, this site is biased toward Channel 7.
I have to disagree, Channel Sux Fan. I think the author of this blog favors Channel 3 more than 7.
I think he favors whoever is willing to give him a job...
Joe Jordan insightful ? Love that analysis of absentee ballots. Sean I know you used to work at 3 and they did a nice job, but once again you sound like their PR guy.
In the interest of full disclosure:
I worked at KPTM from 1997-1998 and at KMTV from 1998-2003.
I also remind you that this is a column where I am provided the opportunity to express my opinion.
As for being the "PR guy" for KMTV, why not ask Journal Broadcast Group employees how they feel about their portrayal in this forum? I'm not so sure they would agree with you, judging by the e-mails I have received over the past three years.
Well, I do have a bias and it is for food. Lots of food.
Feed me and I am thine.
burp
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