As my subscribers know because of an inadvertent early post of a rough draft last week, after much consideration your humble proprietor has decided to close down the Listening Post. It’s been fun and I’m happy that some of you liked it and found it worthwhile, but it’s time to move on.
Writing the blog has become too much like a job, an unpaid job at that. To do this blog right means spending way too many hours in research, handling technical problems, developing relationships and writing several posts a week, not to mention watching lots of local TV news. I’ll do that anyway, but I would rather be free to watch what I want, when I want.
One of the reasons I started the blog was my belief that the Austin American-Statesman was not doing a very good job covering Austin TV news. Its media reporter/blogger has his hands more than full covering radio, retail and various and sundry other business and city desk stories. I know times are tough in newspapering, but I hope his editors will give the guy time to do some original reporting and in-depth analysis on the local TV news scene. I haven’t even been trying to compete with the Statesman, but I have consistently beaten them to stories they should have had. That’s no great credit to me, but it should be a concern to the Statesman. I fear it is not.
With that, I thank all of you who have read this blog regularly over the past 17 months and wish you news junkies happy viewing. I’m sure I’ll continue to have some thoughts on the local TV news scene on Twitter, so please follow me @billrr.
Ranking the Newscasts and On-Air Professionals
Before I go, a number of you have asked me from time to time to offer my opinion on Austin’s best newscast, best anchors, reporters, etc. I have refrained from doing so because I felt it would taint various stories I might write. I did not want to appear to be coming down on the side of those I had identified as my favorites or criticizing those I had left off my lists. Now, with no future stories to write and with 2013 upon us, it seems like the appropriate time to do a report card.
These choices are just my personal opinion, based on what I have seen on the air. I have no axes to grind or personal vendettas or anything like that to influence these choices. Almost everyone in Austin TV has treated me wonderfully and I am truly grateful.
For all of you who did not make my lists, I am in no way saying you are bad or that I do not like your work. I simply chose my favorites and in many cases it was a very close call between making the list and just missing.
Judging TV newscasts and TV news talent is a very subjective topic, and I’m sure most of you would choose differently if you put together similar lists. No rights or wrongs here, just differences of opinion. I’ll leave the site up for awhile so that those of you who feel strongly can comment on this post and make your case for why anchor “X” or weatherperson “Y” should have made my list. Please, no obscenities, especially about me.
I based my opinion purely on journalism and on-air performance over the long haul–those I think have the best chances for success in TV news for the foreseeable future.
Best Overall News Coverage
1. KVUE (Tie)
1. KXAN (Tie)
Comment–OK, I punted on the big one. Sorry, couldn’t choose between them.
Best on-set team
1. Tyler Sieswerda, Terri Gruca, Mark Murray, Mike Barnes, KVUE Prime Time
2. Robert Hadlock, Leslie Rhode, Jim Spencer, Roger Wallace, KXAN Prime Time
3. Bryan Mays, Yvonne Nava, Albert Ramon, KVUE Mornings
4. Brian Sanders, Sally Hernandez, Mark Monstrola, Amanda Dugan, KXAN Mornings
5. Greg Kerr, Katherine Kisiel, Keri Bellacosa, Zach Shields, FOX 7 Mornings
Comment–These are the teams that both deliver professional newscasts while also seeming to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. They are comfortable with each other and as a result, we are comfortable watching them.
Best Male Anchor
1. Tyler Sieswerda, KVUE Prime Time
2. Robert Hadlock, KXAN Prime Time
3. David Scott, KXAN Weekends
4. Mike Warren, FOX 7 Prime Time
5. Robert Maxwell, KXAN/KNVA Prime Time
Comment—While for me, Sieswerda is the best, KXAN seems to have cornered the market on male anchors. I could have added that station’s Brian Sanders, but I elected to put him on my top up-and-comers list (below) as he begins new duties on the KXAN weekday morning team.
Best Female Anchor
1. Katherine Stolp, KEYE Weekends
2. Sally Hernandez, KXAN Mornings
3. Yvonne Nava, KVUE Mornings
4. Terri Gruca, KVUE Prime Time
5. Leslie Rhode, KXAN Prime Time
6. Shannon Wolfson, KXAN/KNVA Prime Time
Comment–I have ranked three “secondary” anchors ahead of the prime time stars. For me, Stolp, Hernandez and Nava are essentially tied for first. Because of families and ties to Austin, I’m assuming Hernandez, Nava, Gruca and Rhode will be around for awhile, which is good. Wolfson has already announced she will be leaving in March in search of greener pastures and I fully expect Stolp to land a better job in a bigger market at some point, if she chooses. Still, this is her hometown, so we may keep her, too.
Best Meteorologist
1. Jim Spencer, KXAN Prime Time
2. Mark Murray, KVUE Prime Time
3. Scott Fisher, FOX 7 Prime Time
4. Burton Fitzsimmons, YNN Mornings
5. Zach Shields, FOX 7 Mornings
Comment–Spencer and Murray are tied for first in my opinion, and obviously Troy Kimmel would have made it a three-way tie had he remained at KEYE. This is probably Austin’s strongest category and we will be blessed indeed if these gentlemen continue in their roles.
Best Sportscaster
1. Dave Cody, FOX 7
2. Roger Wallace, KXAN
3. Bob Ballou, KEYE
4. Mike Barnes, KVUE
5. Ricky Doyle, YNN
Comment–Again, tough call. Veterans all who seem to love Austin sports. We are the winners.
Best Male Reporter—Non-Regular Anchor
1. Chris Willis, KXAN
2. Chris Sadeghi, KXAN
3. Mark Wiggins, KVUE
4. Rudi Koski, FOX 7
5. Jim Swift, KXAN
6. Shelton Green, KVUE
Comment–For day-to-day, on-the-street coverage of any story, Sadeghi is the best in this market. You can argue that Willis does not belong here since he was a long time anchor and still fills occasionally on the desk, but as KXAN’s chief investigative reporter, he has assumed that role as his main job. He has become the face of KXAN’s branding efforts with frequent on-air promotions. You can also argue that Swift is more a story teller than a regular news reporter, but that’s quibbling. I love his work and it’s my blog.
Best Female Reporter—Non-Anchor
1. Heather Kovar, KVUE
2. Jessica Holloway, KVUE
3. Noelle Newton, FOX 7
4. Erin Cargile, KXAN
5. Jessica Vess, KVUE
6. Karen Kiley, KEYE
Comment–These women all do a good job. Kovar’s experience shows. Holloway has brought a real skill to sensitive interviews.
Up and Comers to Keep an Eye On
1. Brian Sanders, KXAN anchor
2. Mark Monstrola, KXAN meteorologist
3. Angie Beavin, KXAN reporter
4. Amanda Dugan, KXAN traffic
5. Shawn Clynch, KVUE sportscaster
6. Adam Bennett, KEYE reporter
Comment–I guess there’s not too much doubt about which station I think has a bright future.
4 Comments
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Sorry to see the blog end. I know these things are a lot of work, and I appreciate the effort you’ve put into it. Austin once again has a big hole in coverage of local TV.
thank You! while I’ve enjoyed your column only a short while; it’s been enlightening. the turnover of news people in this town is amusing to me. while seemingly everyone brags on how wonderful Austin is; nobody stays very long! perhaps being mired in a relatively small market factors in.stations dealing with that issue alone will continue to struggle in gaining viewer loyalty.
again, Thank You!!!!
I would have to disagree. KVUE is the best in the market. Factoring in technical quality, KVUE has always had the edge on KXAN. One might also notice the reduced use of local technology. KXAN used to have two radars and KVUE had one as well. Both stations neither upgraded nor currently promote their own radar anymore. Granted NOAA radars are better but they still rely on external delivery methods such as satellite and internet… something that is not always available in severe weather conditions.
It also has become apparent that weather networks in the area have undergone major changes. The massive Weathernet system at KXAN is no more and KVUE picked up the Weatherbug franchise but in a smaller capacity. Local live cameras have varied in quality with each station with various numbers and quality but some of KXAN’s cameras still suffer from poor internet delivery issues and show either low-resolution or stuttering video… not a major issue but doesn’t seem acceptable given technology available.
I think KXAN once was the leader in bringing the latest technology in weather but maintaining it is not their stronger suit. Sure, times change and some things are retired but many KXAN firsts also have faded from the screen. It could be argued that the Weatherbug network was expensive and is better served by the LCRA network but anyone who looks at the coverage of that network will notice, it’s heavy to the West and limited to the East.
Turnover at KXAN is probably pretty high (me included) but probably not that much different than other stations. KEYE has seen anchor turnover on its morning show and is now searching for a new evening meteorologist position. Reporters of course, have come and gone. Reasons? The market doesn’t pay well and despite the massive growth in Central Texas, ratings don’t fare as well and in fact seem lower than in past years. That’s not a reflection of the quality of the stations as much as a lack of interest by the viewers. There are a lot of great people on air in Austin but the attitude of Austin has been laid back and people that come here seem to share that attitude. Viewership is not nearly as loyal as in other markets. It’s amazing I’ve been off air for over a year and people still come up and tell me they love watching me in the morning. I’m honestly somewhat stunned it still happens.
What will happen in the coming years? Probably not much. The economy has short-term and long-term reasons why it will not rebound and despite the growing market in Central Texas, the growth of technology allows people to get news/weather/sports on mobile devices.
In the 13 years I spent at KXAN, I always felt we had the best and latest technology and I’m even a little proud of the fact that I developed some of it but times change and for the station or stations that correctly embrace the needs of the viewers, success is more likely. What are those needs… I don’t think that answer is out there yet. The economy and technology are strong drivers and predicting those or at least adapting a plan to embrace the change will survive.
I saw the writing on the wall in 2011, in that I would be let go and I embraced the change. I have survived, so for my friends still in the business, I advise the same. Be flexible.
-shawn
Thanks, Ray and Skip.
Shawn–Questions continue to come into this site as to your whereabouts. Maybe you would like to post that and your future plans for your fans