Texas TV stations winning awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) announced the winners of the 47th Annual Gracie Awards and Texas TV station represent! Plus, we have winners in the new Texas Broadcast News Awards!

HOUSTON

KHOU 11 is the Gracie Award winner of the Documentary (TV-Local) award for “Juneteenth: 1865-2021.” 

From an all-female producing team that includes anchor/producer Mia Gradney, executive producer Jennifer Moore, researcher and producer Nicole Jones, artistic director Robyn Hughes and news director Elizabeth Roldan, the documentary features female scholars and community advocates explaining the history and significance of Juneteenth and its lasting impact in the quest for equality for all.

“We are very proud of our exceptional journalists who are producing and sharing impactful stories in their local communities,” said Lynn Beall, EVP and COO, media operations, TEGNA. “We congratulate all of the Gracie Award winners who are making a positive change with their powerful storytelling.”

SAN ANTONIO

Graham Media Group station "KSAT Explains: What you need to know about protective orders in Bexar County" won a Gracie Award for best "Local TV News Magazine."

The KSAT Explains team -- anchor/producer Myra Arthur and editor/visualizer Valerie Gomez, creator Lexi Salazar and executive producer Brina Monterroza -- explored the issue of domestic violence in Bexar County.

"That's why we chose to do this episode on protective orders," said Myra Arthur, anchor/producer for KSAT Explains. "We know our county has incredibly high rates of domestic violence, but a lot of people see the stats and respond with, 'Well, she should just leave.' The survivors we talked to explain why it's never that simple. Their stories are chilling and full of incredibly close calls. To see their bravery and strength now -- that's what we wanted victims in our community to know is possible. And how."

The station launched KSAT Explains in mid-2020 as an experiment to offer more in-depth exploration of important issues in our community than traditional newscasts allow.

AUSTIN

KXAN News earned the Texas Broadcast News Awards’ top honor last Saturday night, winning the "Overall Excellence" award in the statewide competition beating out television stations in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, winning seven awards.

The Texas Broadcast News Awards took the place of the discontinued Texas Associated Press Broadcast Awards receiving more than 400 entries from radio and television stations in the state.

Jennifer Reyna joins KHOU 11

Jennifer Reyna is returning to television at KHOU 11 mornings bringing 15 years of Houston traffic experience.

Reyna joins the channel 11 morning show with Chita Craft, Stephanie Simmons and Kimberly Davis on November 1st.  Not mentioned in the official press release is the name "#HTownRush," so maybe that will change too.

“I am pleased to join KHOU 11 and do my part to engage and inform my fellow Houstonians," Reyna said in the press release.   "I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the team and they are talented, dedicated and fun. I’m sure our viewers will appreciate the time they spend with us every morning.”

Reyna leaves KPRC 2 in 2019

I thought all along that Reyna would most likely end up at channel 11. Much has changed in the Houston morning television ratings world since Reyna departed KPRC 2 in October 2019.  It will be interesting to see what happens from this point.

Since leaving KPRC two years ago, Reyna has pretty consistently stayed in the top 5 of my most popular posts as clicked on by readers. 

"We are excited to welcome Jennifer Reyna to the KHOU 11 team and her return to morning television,” added Robert Springer, General Manager KHOU 11. “In addition to her extensive knowledge and understanding of Houston’s traffic, Jennifer cares deeply about the Houston community and it comes through in every interaction you have with her.  

"As we seek to better serve the people of Houston and help them get out the door in morning, they can rest assured Jennifer Reyna is on the case, working closely with Chita Craft, Kimberly Davis and Stephanie Simmons.”

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The Houston native starts in broadcasting at 101 KLOL

Reyna started in the broadcasting business in 2003 at the legendary Rock 101 KLOL while appearing on the Outlaw Dave show.

She moved to Los Angeles after that working for ABC 7 KABC behind the scenes on shows Eye on LA and Vista LA.

Returning to Houston, in 2006, Reyna joined KPRC 2 as the morning traffic anchor.  She later added traffic duties at 89.3 KSBJ in addition to her TV work.

In 2011, Reyna also started to anchor KPRC 2 newscasts in addition to her traffic role. 

Reyna, who was born and raised in Houston, is a graduate of the University of Houston.  She supports non-profits like the Lone Survivor Foundation, Houston Association of Hispanic Media and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

“Houston’s growing traffic issues are top of mind with viewers,” said KHOU 11 news director Elizabeth Roldan. “Jennifer’s knowledge will help our audience in their everyday life. That’s standing for Houston.”

KHOU 11 dominates 10pm February 2021 TV sweeps

KHOU 11 NEWS AT 10 P.M. DOMINATES HOUSTON - 10 p.m. is Houston leader in key demographics

Houston, March 4, 2021 – KHOU announced today that its 10 p.m. newscast dominates late news in the market, growing 52 percent over January 2021 in A25-54 shares and out-delivering its nearest competitor by 39 percent during the February 2021 ratings period (source: Nielsen, Houston DMA, PAV, M-F 10pm News, Live+SD). 

The 10 p.m. newscast also leads in key demographics, including:

(UPDATE FROM MCGUFF: Univision Houston KXLN has notified me that KHOU is number one in English-language only.  Nielsen ratings numbers provided to me show Univision Houston 45 has higher ratings in Persons 18-49, Persons 25-54, Females 25-54, Males 25-54 and Persons 35-64.)

• #1 with Adult 25-54 shares

• #1 with Women 25-54 shares

• #1 with Men 25-54 shares

• #1 with Adult 18+ shares

• #1 Adult 18-49 shares

• #1 with Adult 35-64 shares

“It’s gratifying to see our trusted local journalism connecting with Houstonians, and knowing they are getting the information they need to make informed decisions in their lives,” said KHOU 11 President and General Manager, Robert Springer. “We ‘Stand for Houston’ and are committed to ensuring all of our newscasts are time well spent for our viewers.”

KHOU also saw notable growth in its early evening newscasts. KHOU11 News at 4 p.m. grew its share by 48 percent in Adults 25-54, and the KHOU11 News at 5 p.m. saw 28 percent share growth in Adults 25-54. 

On digital platforms, KHOU and the KHOU app reached 10.1 million visitors in February, up 94 percent year-over-year while the station’s YouTube site saw 11.4 video plays, a year-over-year increase of 337 percent. (source: Google Analytics February 2021)

“We are proud to serve the Houston community, especially during these unprecedented times,” said KHOU 11 News Director, Elizabeth Roldan. “Our team works every day with passion and dedication to serve our community and keep Houston informed and safe. It is a great responsibility, and we’re honored KHOU has earned the trust of our community.”

I truly believe @KHOU does local journalism the right way. The reporting is ethical and has one goal - help the people of Houston. Glad to see people are responding! #KHOU11 #Houston #localnews pic.twitter.com/HVLVMkqwM7

— Mike Rosenhouse (@mikerosenhouse) March 4, 2021

About KHOU 11
KHOU is a top-rated CBS affiliate in Houston, Texas and has been a leader in local news, information and community involvement for more than six decades. We Stand for Houston by serving and celebrating our community, delivering relevant, trusted content, telling empowering stories, conducting impactful investigations and providing creative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers. KHOU is owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. To learn more about at KHOU please visit www.KHOU.com.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KHOU 11)