The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

If you have the time...you can read through all of the Houston media job changes I tracked through 2018. And there are a lot of them. Ten years ago, I don't think I could have compiled a list anywhere near this size. There are so many changes, that even I can go through it and say, "Oh yeah, I forgot that happened this year!"

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

- Dave Ward named grand marshal of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

- Wayne Dolcefino joins Quanell X on FOX 26's 'FOX Faceoff'

FEBRUARY 2018
- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter

- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall

- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting

- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

MARCH 2018
- Former KLOL Personality Dayna Steele Wins Texas Democratic Primary

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

- Houston Mayor Sylvester appoints former KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton press secretary

- Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's new station address will be 5718 Westheimer - between Chimney Rock and Bering

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

- Branch Davidian standoff remembered by Texas TV journalists who were there

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

MAY 2018
- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter

- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?

- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot

- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

JUNE 2018
- Kevin Quinn leaves KTRK 13, joins Harris County Precinct 1

- KHOU 11's Melissa Correa opens up about her mental health

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

- KLOL would get ratted out by the Houston Chronicle in the 1970s

- Thanks to KPRC 2 for covering my mom's Alzheimer's story

- Jennifer Reyna is not leaving KPRC 2; has a new Facebook page

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

JULY 2018
- Tim Heller to leave abc13 KTRK in January 2019

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

- Former Houston journalists start “What’s Left America” podcast

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

AUGUST 2018
- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK

- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

- Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets games

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

- Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes named NPR's SVP of News and Editorial Director

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

- Why Ilona Carson is no longer on the 10pm news

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

- WFAA's Carolyn Mungo News Director of the Year 2018

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

- Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

- KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Texas #TVnews and radio job moves August 2018

Better late than never...

DALLAS - FOR WORTH

After 42-and-a-half years in television news — seven-and-half-years at WOWT-TV in Omaha, and nearly 35 here at WFAA – WFAA anchor John McCaa intends to retire in March of 2019.

Former WFAA 8 investigative reporter Brett Shipp is hoping to reinvent his wheelhouse after leaving the Dallas-based station late last year to run unsuccessfully for Congress.

WFAA 8 Sports broadcaster Dale Hansen, ‘a fat, white guy in a deep red state,’ is an unlikely liberal hero.

After joining Dallas-based Fox4 in June to replace Jenny Anchondo as the weekend Good Day anchor, Hanna Battah has been bumped up to weekday editions of the show.

It’s been an up and down ride for Laurie Passman, who was named D-FW-based CBS11 KTVT’s vice president and news director after being bypassed for that position in January 2017.

HOUSTON

Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, a co-host of KILT's (610 AM) afternoon drive time sports talk program since 2014, departed the station.

Chris X Blayney named afternoon host of AM 700, KSEV 'The Voice of Texas' (Mon-Thurs 4-6pm).

Charese Fruge has been named URBAN ONE Top 40 Format Captain and will also handle PD duties for Top 40s KROI/HOUSTON and WNOW/INDIANAPOLIS.

Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Jake Kaplan joins The Athletic.

KHOU 11 producer (former KTRK producer) Felicia Russell joins Ward PR.

Gonzalez hired at KPRC as social media producer.

Nick Wright will host an evening Sirius XM show on Mad Dog Radio, in addition to his work on “First Things First.”

- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations
- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD
- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet
- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK
- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK
- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life
- Sara Donchey has her baby
- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26
- Good news for Greg Bailey!
- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast
- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation
- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11
- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD

SAN ANTONIO

News 4 WOAI's David Chancellor is making the move from sports to become the station's morning co-anchor.
- Multiple exits, additions at News 4 WOAI, Fox 29 announced on social media

WOAI has named a permanent co-anchor for its 10 p.m. newscast - Irene Cruz.

KSAT12 to Expand Weekend News and Add "KSAT News at 9."

AUSTIN

Publisher Susie Biehle and Editor Debbie Hiott announced they are leaving the American-Statesman.

After 2 years away, former KVUE news boss returning to Austin.

AROUND TEXAS

KRBC Abilene Chief Meteorologist and Main Anchor Randy Turner to depart the station.

Former WSIL Southern Illinois anchor Dennis Turner resurfaces at KXXV Waco.

KGBT hires reporter Clara Benitez

REMEMBERING

Legendary abc13 KTRK weatherman Ed Brandon has died

Texas Monitor founder and longtime investigative journalist Trent Seibert dies

Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

Texas Southern Football home games slated to be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet

Butch Alsandor and Jorge Vargas

HOUSTON- Texas Southern University is pleased to announce that the TSU Tigers Athletics program has reached a renewal agreement with AT&T SportsNet to have all of the Tigers five home football games broadcast on the network during the upcoming football season.

"We're very excited to once again partner with AT&T SportsNet for the broadcasting of our home football games," said TSU Vice President of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland. "The brand awareness, visibility and overall exposure our football program receives from this partnership is truly extraordinary and we look forward to giving viewers of our games an exciting season of Tigers Football."

Texas Southern Fans can tune into all of the action on AT&T SportsNet this season as Butch Alsandor [former KHOU 11 sportscaster] returns to the booth to handle play-by-play duties with color analyst Jorge Vargas [former KIAH CW39 sportscaster].

The first broadcast of the season is slated for Saturday, September 1st at 7:00 pm as the Tigers host UT-Permian Basin at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Following their home opener the Texas Southern Tigers will subsequently host Alabama A&M (Oct. 6), Grambling State (Oct. 13), and Miss. Valley State HC (Oct. 27), before closing out the home portion of their schedule against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 17).

Follow Texas Southern Athletics
For complete coverage of Texas Southern Athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @TXSOTigers (Twitter), Texas Southern University Athletics (Facebook), @TXSOTigers (Instagram) or visit the official home of Texas Southern Athletics at tsusports.com.

About AT&T Sports Networks:
AT&T SportsNet is the nation's premier regional sports network providing a unique and special experience for local sports fans, sponsors, teams and media partners. AT&T Sports Networks operates AT&T SportsNet regional sports networks in Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions. AT&T Sports Networks is a subsidiary of AT&T. The AT&T SportsNet brand brings powerful meaning to the local fan's viewing experience and creates our own identity that aligns more closely with our team partners, the fans and our regions.

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

News 92 KROI is dead

Houston's FM news station News92 KROI signs off; becomes all Beyonce Channel B92

A longtime radio broadcaster once told me that 24 hour news would never work in Houston. When News92 KROI debuted in 2011 I hoped this would prove him wrong.

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Praise 92.1 KROI Houston sold to Spanish Broadcasting System

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

It did not.

"The whole staff has been FIRED," anchor Lanny Griffith said on Facebook. "We thank you for your support and I will be fine. We are heart broken cause we put everything into this station but it just wasn't meant to be. Thanks to Radio One for all you did for all of us and our families."

This morning was the station's last broadcast. I hear right in the middle of a story, B92, an all Beyonce station, debuted signaling the end of News92.

"We’re proud of the work we did with News92," said Doug Abernethy, Regional Vice President of Radio One. "We hired established and trusted Houstonian journalists from the radio, print and television news industries. We also invested in community relations, infrastructure, marketing, promotions and sales. Unfortunately after three years of a valiant effort, the difficult decision had to be made."

"I'm devastated that Radio One decided to change formats," reporter Adela Uchida told mikemcguff.com. "I'm proud of the work News92FM did in the months I was there. The only way we could have covered this city with such a small staff was with the talent, experience and passion we all brought every day."

News92, which was Radio One's first news station, barely reached above a one rating in its time as a station. It didn't help that the station's signal does not apparently cover the entire market strongly.

"This difficult decision is a result of sustained poor ratings performance and significant financial losses over the past three years despite the substantial financial and human resources we invested," a statement on News92's website read. "Unfortunately, the market hasn’t shown a sustainable appetite for news radio, but each of you motivated us daily to produce a high-quality news program." (SCROLL TO SEE FULL MESSAGE AT BOTTOM)

Radio One hired familiar radio and TV names like former 740 KTRH morning team J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, Dennis Spellman (formerly of KIAH 39), Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

The station later spent $900,000 on an expansion project that added a brand new studio, newsroom, offices, green room and more. Five new news vehicles were also purchased.

In a cynical view, one thing that did not happen while News92 was on the air - a hurricane/tropical storm. Radio pundits will tell you that could have driven a lot of listeners to the station to hear it and hopefully stick around.

So now 47 people are out of work as a result of the station going off the air. And now, Houston has a 24 hour all Beyonce radio station called B92 in place of News92 (at least for now, this sounds like a stunt to me).

"We take the loss of employees seriously," said Chris Wegmann, President of the Radio Division. "We are working to ensure all of our impacted employees are transitioned with the dignity and respect they deserve."

As News 92 goes away, Houston still has radio news sources 88.7 KUHF and 740 KTRH.

"We always respected the work of our friends and colleagues at News 92 and truly wish them the best," KUHF news director Jack Williams told mikemcguff.com. "Houston Public Media News 88-7 believes there is still a strong desire for in-depth, multi-media journalism in Houston.”

b921fm.com
On Twitter @B921Houston.


UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

ORIGINAL POST:

Got a report this morning the News92 staff was going into a meeting. Then heard Beyonce was playing on the station 15 minutes later. The station has been rebranded B92, an all Beyonce radio station (for now at least I would imagine, sounds like a stunt).

I checked the News92 homepage and found this:

News92, Houston’s first FM all-news radio station aired its last broadcast Wednesday, October 8, 2014.
We’d like to thank the News92 staff for their outstanding service, our advertisers and each of you our listeners and web visitors for your support. This difficult decision is a result of sustained poor ratings performance and significant financial losses over the past three years despite the substantial financial and human resources we invested. Unfortunately, the market hasn’t shown a sustainable appetite for news radio, but each of you motivated us daily to produce a high-quality news program. Together, we made history.

Lanny Griffith posted on Facebook: "News92FM is GONE, off the air. The whole staff has been FIRED. We thank you for your support and I will be fine. We are heart broken cause we put everything into this station but it just wasn't meant to be. Thanks to Radio One for all you did for all of us and our families. Anyone need to hire me for some media work?"

Craig Roberts says on Facebook that 47 people are now out of work from the format change.

Stay tuned...

RELATED
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)
- Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard talk News 92 KROI with Mike McGuff
- News 92 FM KROI expands and rises
- Adela Uchida joins News 92 FM KROI
- 740 KTRH issues statement on its heritage and News 92FM KROI

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

Houston TV newser on CBS reality show, new DFW reporter and more

MORE VIDEO
- Two Houston TV reporters remixed by famed PBS remixer
- KTVT DALLAS PROMO REEL 2013
- Wash Allen's last day on KCOH
- Smurf Weatherman News Blooper
- KXLN Noticias 45 Primera Edicion Tease & Open (HD), 2013
- News 4 San Antonio - Beamer's Desk
- Reporter Turns the Tables on Live Shot Crasher: ‘How Long Have You Had an STD?’
- KEYE TV Big Game ID's
- News reporter gets punched in the face
- KPRC Local 2 News at 10 Open (HD), 2013
- KRIV FOX 26 News at Noon Open (HD), 2013

McGarry makes maiden voyage on WFAA8's Good Morning Texas
Starting over in her own right, former NBC5 anchor Jane McGarry returned to local television for the first time since last May for her inaugural "Starting Over" segment on WFAA8's Good Morning Texas.

Dombeck's next likely stop: filling in at CBS11
It's not completely official yet, but it's looking very much like former NBC5 "Gridlock Buster" Tammy Dombeck will soon have a new TV home.

Carla Wade is WFAA8's newest anchor/reporter
Dallas-based WFAA8 has added Carla Wade from Oklahoma City's KOCO-TV to its anchor/reporter staff.

Nice to see you again: DFW TV veterans are back on the air
"Demographics be damned" could be the tag line for The Texas Daily, which began airing in October as a morning show on little-seen KTXD/Channel 47 and shifted to 6 p.m. in early January. Its premise: Take veteran broadcasters and put them back in front of cameras, where TV people like to be.
- A closer look at The Texas Daily's cast

Is it Dave or David Ward?
Hello friends, KTRK 13's Dave Ward changes his name to David on air, or did he?

KIAH assignments manager on reality TV show
Crystal Solomon, an Assignment Manager at CW 39 at KIAH-TV, will be one of the five contestants competing for a job as an associate producer position at MLSsoccer.com on CBS reality series The Job.

Chronicle’s New Pay Site Spurs Competitors
The Houston Chronicle late last year launched a new paysite, HoustonChronicle.com, to complement its Chron.com free site. Traffic to the new paid site has grown steadily since its launch.

Houston rodeo signs new deal with Fox Sports Southwest
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has opted for Fox Sports Southwest as its television partner, the rodeo and network announced.

Talk show host Chris Baker moving to Omaha
Former Houston radio talk show host Chris Baker, who most recently appeared on KSEV (700 AM), has taken a job hosting an afternoon drive talk show on Clear Channel’s KFAB-AM in Omaha, Neb.

Comcast deal expands team’s on-air reach
As many as 20 Dynamo games will air on Comcast SportsNet Houston in the first season of a three-year agreement.

4 tickets for Live! with Kelly and Michael plus The Chew
KTRK channel 13 donated four tickets for Live! with Kelly and Michael plus The Chew. You just have to attend the St. Thomas More Parish School auction.

Anchorwoman’s baby date! Will she miss sweeps?
Anchorwoman Elsa Ramon looks radiantly happy and very, very pregnant these days next to Randy Beamer on WOAI-TV’s evening newscasts.

“Movies!” coming this spring to KRIV subchannel
Broadcasting and Cable is reporting that the Fox O&O stations like Fox 26 KRIV and multicast channel operator Weigel Broadcasting are teaming up to create a new film-themed digital channel called “Movies!”

KVIA to launch 9 p.m. newscast on El Paso/Las Cruces CW
Officials at Channel 7-KVIA announced they will launch a 30-minute 9 p.m. weekday newscast on its sister station, the CW, beginning March 25.

Meet KFOX's new traffic reporter: Miss Florida 2011
Lissette Garcia is probably best known as Miss Florida 2011, but she will soon be well known locally as KFOX's new traffic anchor.

KVIA morning weatherman arrested for alleged public intox, disorderly conduct
The El Paso Times reports that Channel 7-KVIA morning meteorologist Jorge Torres was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance while drunk.

Longtime Corpus Christi newscaster Walter Furley dies at age 84
Moments after Walter Furley died Wednesday at age 84, the church chorus he had long been a member of began singing outside his home on Harry Street.
- KZTV/CBS promos featuring Walter Furley and Gene Looper

CONGRATS

News 92 KROI sports anchor Jorge Vargas (former KIAH 39 sports anchor) and his wife recently had a daughter. Isadora was 10 pounds and one ounce. The couple already has a son.

MOVING

Former News 92 KROI show host, CBS Radio and the Texas State Networks, KRLD and KTRH reporter Scott Braddock joins Quorum Report.

Fox 26 KRIV video game reporter/web producer John-Henry Perera has moved out of TV to become a communication specialist for MD Anderson. He'll still be doing video game/geek reporting on the side.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

- Wendy Corona leaves WFAA, KPRC producer to WMAQ EP and more
- KTRK's Casey Curry wedding date?
- Three Houston radio departures announced the same day
- REVIEW: The New Bull @100.3 KILT
- KTRK 13 hires Simon Gutierrez, mysterious former KSAT 12 reporter
- Houstonia Magazine
- Fox 26 KRIV snags Nancy Zambrano from KTBC FOX 7
- KTRK 13 taps Rebecca Spera for traffic duty
- Houston Chronicle departures and new hires
- KXAS 5 removes offensive post

News 92 FM KROI expands and rises

No doubt the fortunes of the News 92 FM KROI staff has dramatically improved this week.

After launching in November 2011, the station's staff has worked in tight quarters. From a mail room converted into a newsroom, to an on air studio that was really a small production room for Radio One sister stations 97.9 The Box KBXX and Majic 102.1 KMJQ, the staff either knows each other really well or just plain knows too much.

That's all changed with the completion of a more than $900,000 expansion project that adds a brand new studio, newsroom, offices, green room and more. Five new news vehicles have been bought to boot. The new digs went online Wednesday morning in time for J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes' morning show.

Doug Abernethy, Regional Vice President of the Radio One clusters in Houston, Detroit and Indianapolis (he works from Houston), says this is one of the most challenging projects he's ever tackled in his long radio career.

"We had one shot to get it right and did not spare any expense," Abernethy told mikemcguff.com in his Greenway Plaza office. "We didn't want to be handicapped by lack of capital."

He says luck came his way as the tenant next to Radio One moved out as the radio company was planning to launch the new format. Otherwise, the station would have been offsite.

Commitment is one word Abernethy said over and over to me while giving me a tour of the FM news station's upgraded work space. This especially after other FM news stations that launched around the country during the same time period as KROI's flip, have already reverted back to music formats.

"Our vital signs are very good," Abernethy told me. "We knew it would be slow growth, but we are seeing good signs."

Abernethy says the biggest challenge is getting the News 92 FM name out to Houston. In his experience, getting buzz after launching a new music format has been easier. But he adds, once people find News 92 FM on the dial, "they love us." He says the time they spend listening has been very good.

The first and only Radio One news formatted station is currently ranked in the 20th plus range ratings wise according to Arbitron's 12+ numbers. A far cry from Radio One's other stations (KBXX and KMJQ) which are usually ranked in the top three group (battling with Clear Channel's KODA). But there is hope.

Radio-Info reports today that Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins says KROI's ratings are around a one share and is, "starting to increase its revenue quite nicely."

Abernethy is excited the ad rates for the news format are higher than what the sales department could charge for the former Praise 92 gospel format. The gospel format was cannibalizing ratings for Radio One's top rated Majic 102.1 KMJQ according to Abernethy, one reason it was flipped to a new format. Some of the gospel tunes have since shifted to Majic 102's playlist.

The company moved the gospel music online and to its HD sub channel. The Yolanda Adams Morning Show is still broadcast from Houston. Abernethy adds most of the Praise employees were moved to jobs at the company's other stations.

Not only is there an increase in revenue, but there is also an increase in resources and not just with the new facility. Reporter Steve Ottesen has joined the station from the NewsFix KIAH 39 newsroom (Ottesen also formerly anchored KNWS channel 51). Abernethy says traffic anchor Lanny Griffith will also be doing more general reporting as will sports anchor Jorge Vargas. He says the station is ready for long hurricane coverage too.

Naturally being a news station, people like to say KROI is in a radio war with Clear Channel's heritage station 740 KTRH (I've had posts about this in the past). However, Abernethy is not of the same thought. He says there was a clear opening in the Houston radio market for an all news format.

"KTRH is a powerhouse in the ratings and revenue arena, they do political talk better than anyone," Abernethy said. "People try to pin us against KTRH, but we don't want to limit taking from their audience. We want all the Houston stations' listeners."

And for any criticisms of KROI's FM signal, Abernethy simply told me, "it sounds better than AM."

RELATED
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- KTRK 13's Ed Brandon on 24 hour news radio in Houston

News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)

Lana Huges and J.P. Pritchard

From a small, temporary newsroom and studio, News 92 FM KROI officially signed on this morning at 5am, replacing Praise 92.1. The News 92 FM Morning Report is anchored by former 740 KTRH notables J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes with "traffic and weather on the 9s." And speaking of traffic, former Rock 101 KLOL, 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ and Fox 26 KRIV traffic master Lanny Griffith is behind the microphone (I heard no whips though from his KLOL Traffic in Bondage days).

The first ever story on News 92 FM KROI was billed as an exclusive with former Fox 26 KRIV reporter Pattie Shieh and some problems with the Carnival Cruise Magic. Lana and J.P. read more stories followed by former KIAH 39 sports anchor Jorge Vargas with news on the Houston Dynamo's loss to the LA Galaxy for the MLS title. Laurie Kendrick (formerly of 740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) had a story about changes in Catholic Mass. Towards the bottom of the first hour was the business report with Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV). Former KIAH 39 reporter Dennis Spellman came later with the news of a shooting by a masked man in a southwest Houston home.

I recorded the first ever 40 minutes or so of News 92 FM, edited out commercials/ABC News breaks and embedded the audio below so you can get an idea of the broadcast's flavor (it runs around 28 minutes cut down - the quality is not so great at times, you might hear my cat crying in the background as I put an iPod and my EVO up to a radio speaker for the record)




News 92 FM KROI Houston first hour by mikemcguff

I did find it amusing that a familiar voice for Lana and J.P. was featured in the first hour. Former 740 KTRH reporter Aaron Katersky (now with ABC News Radio) covered the recent terrorism-related arrest in NYC.

Reviews of the show from mikemcguff.com readers started coming in (many of them named Michael strangely enough):

"Sounded as if they never left the airwaves," said Michael Galindo

"I like the longer format news," said Mike Holland. "It is nice not being told to go to a website for the 'rest of the story' while I am sitting in my car."

"Sounds like they took 740 and put it on 92.1," wrote Justin Sternberg. "Not that it's a bad thing, but I was expecting a little more, something different."

"I'm listening to News92 and while the plane sounds just a teeny wobbly taking off, I think they will run like a well-oiled machine before very long - too many seasoned veterans who know what they're doing," commented Michael Sheldon Reed on a related blog post of mine. He later added, "Listening right now (5:30 am). JP and Lana sound much more loose and "flowing" than they did at 5am. This station is gonna be awesome!!!!"

There were a few small flubs in the first hour, but overall it sounded like the Lana and J.P. broadcasts Houston radio listeners are used to.

I was invited to visit the station yesterday during the staff pre-launch rehearsals. The staff was pretty excited and hopeful about the new 24 hour news station. Part of that energy probably stems from the fact that this is a new station, not just for this group of journalists, but also an entire new format for Radio One which typically specializes in music formats (the company owns 97.9 The Box KBXX and Majic 102 KMJQ in Houston).

As I have blogged here, there have been some technical issues that delayed the launch, but that stuff is getting worked out. Any broadcaster who has worked at a start up operation (or infrastructure upgrade for an existing station) knows technical problems can be an issue.

If you tuned into 92.1 this past weekend, you heard as the industry calls it, stunting. That means doing alternative program from the previous format to grab attention for the new programming. In this case, the station ran construction noises mixed in with messages from the staff and ABC anchors like Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts...etc.

By the way, Houston radio's Maria Todd has joined the News 92 FM staff as a weekend anchor. Click here for a list of other News 92 staff members.

Here are some photos I snapped on my station tour Sunday during pre-launch rehearsals.




News 92 FM KROI's Lanny Griffith




News 92 FM KROI's Scott Braddock




News 92 FM KROI's Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard




News 92 FM KROI temporary newsroom (click for names)




News 92 FM KROI future work space

news92fm.com

RELATED
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- KTRK 13's Ed Brandon on 24 hour news radio in Houston
- News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard talk News 92 KROI with Mike McGuff

Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard courtesy of 
Brent Clanton

UPDATE: The News 92 KROI crew is saying the new 24 hour Houston news station debuts Monday 11/21/2011 at 5am.

It was recently reported by News 92 FM KROI staff members that November 17th would be the launch day of the new FM station. Well, I'm told now the launch of Houston's 24 hour radio news station has been pushed back to next week because of some final technical issues. That means Praise 92.1 listeners have a few more days of music.

In the meantime, Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees (watch their induction speech) J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, the new morning team for News 92 FM, talked with mikemcguff.com about their new home after almost 30 years with NewsRadio 740 KTRH.

"I am so ready to get back to what I love doing," Pritchard told mikemcguff.com. "This is a wonderful fresh start for me, as I know it is for all of my new colleagues."

"It is so exhilarating working with some of the finest and most talented people in this business," Hughes told mikemcguff.com. "The ideas brought to the table, the energy and the determination to give Houston and the surrounding areas the coverage they deserve are evident each and every day among staff members and Radio One management. The enthusiasm is palpable and we're having a blast doing what we love for a city we've called home for years."

There have been lots of reader questions in my blog's comments section trying to figure out just what type of news and features News 92 FM will air.

"Of course, our mission is to be first on the scene with news coverage 24/7 and to provide a voice for EVERY facet of the community," Hughes said. "And while we'll be maintaining a familiar, comprehensive news format, we're also planning some innovative and creative programming as well."

"Our plan is to bring Houston what it has long deserved -- an all news radio station that is committed to great journalism," Pritchard added. "And we hope to do it in a personable, friendly way without political agenda."

Last summer as this longtime morning duo were shown the door at their old station, Houstonians were unsure if they would ever hear from this longtime morning news team ever again. Would Lana and J.P. even want to start over again at a new radio station?

"As for moving from a place where I'd worked for so long, being part of this new FM venture with Radio One has been a wonderfully and remarkably easy transition," Hughes told me. "In fact, it was instantly comfortable, and I credit much of that to a talented, dedicated group of people with a common goal -- to make News 92 FM Houston's premiere news organization."

"And speaking personally, it is just great to be back with my old friends, and to be working with some new friends too," Pritchard said. "Radio One is being so supportive, renewing my faith that there is room for great local radio in an industry that seems to be obsessed with cost cutting."

Additional on air shifts will be filled by the likes of Dennis Spellman (formerly of KIAH 39), Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

Also just brought to my attention late Wednesday night, news92fm.com is actually a working WordPress page. Still being worked on though.

RELATED
- What does 740 KTRH think of News92 FM KROI?
- News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details

I told you yesterday how 740 KTRH has returned to the NewsRadio name and appears to be beefing up its staff. Later I learned the News 92 FM KROI launch date has been pushed back. Plus even more familiar names have been added to the roster such as Dennis Spellman (former KIAH 39 reporter), Norm Uhl (former HISD press secretary and KHOU 11 reporter) and Brian "Eddie The Boner" Shannon (former Rock 101 KLOL morning show host). More from the FM station's Laurie Kendrick:

Here's the latest update from the newsroom at News 92 FM. We will launch precisely at 5 AM, next Thursday, November 17th. Set your radio dials now for AWESOME.

Lana and JP start things off from 5 to 9. Lanny, Your Traffic Master will tackle traffic duties every morning and I'll do feature stories and cover all the TV zeitgeist. Scott Braddock hosts a news show from 9 to noon. The lovely and talented Martha Martinez will handle news cut ins at the top and bottom of the hour in that time span.

Then, Kevin "Mr. Smiles" Charles and the adorable, Carolyn Campbell will anchor the noon news, from 12-3pm and Bonnie Petrie and Mike Barajas, the long time nightly anchor at FOX 26 will handle afternoons from 3 to 7. Dennis "Ray of Sun" Spellman will handle evenings from 7-10.

Other famous names you might recognize offering their vast wealth of TV and radio experience is former KHOU 11 Reporter, Norm Uhl will produce the morning show. The groovy Alicia Alaniz produces noon and the legendary Brian "The Boner" Shannon will make sure everything is in order every afternoon.

The incredible Pattie Shieh is our morning reporter and [Matt Sampsell], who's as sweet as the day is long, will bring you news from the field every afternoon. The adorable Jorge Vargas handling morning sports and the irrascible Craig Roberts (who I adore) has afternoon sports handled. Denise Bishop is the News Director and [Brent Clanton] "Dr. Cool Daddy" is our Business Editor.

The vast support we've received from a newsradio hungry populace has been incredible. Thank you. Give us a listen. We feel certain you'll LOVE what you hear.

RELATED
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
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New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges

I was sent a logo for the new News92 FM KROI I first told you about last Friday. Yes, this radio station, which was developed in secret, (even people I talked to who work there played dumb over the phone to me in the last month) is close to its November 14th debut.

Ken Hoffman talked with the people in charge of News92 FM KROI for a behind the scenes account of how it all came together:

"This project started Memorial Day weekend. I was crabbing with my children in Port Aransas when our CEO, Alfred Liggins, called me and said we need to do something different with the 92.1 frequency," Radio One vice president Doug Abernethy said.

"You can imagine my surprise when he said he was thinking of all news, not what our company typically does. We created a series of five-year plans with ratings and revenue projections. We discovered tremendous upside and green-lighted the project in late July. We quickly began securing our roster of tremendously talented news people. Once the on-air team was assembled, we secured a secret off-site location where the staff began dress rehearsals. We were surprised by how we were able to keep this a secret until rumors only recently started circulating." READ THE REST

On air talent Brent Clanton talks about the secrecy element, comparing it to “The Skunk Works,” an alias for the top-secret research and development headquarters of Lockheed Martin Aircraft during WW II through the Cold War.

For the past few weeks, I have been working at an undisclosed location on a very exciting Radio project, which you now know will be Houston’s newest 24-hour all-news station, News92fm.

My colleagues and I have been bound by a legal, non-disclosure agreement to disavow any knowledge of this, if asked, and it’s been quite fun to dodge questions by answering, in a stern-faced manner, “I am under a legal NDA, and I cannot comment.”

Another look at the new all 24 hour news station is from staffer Laurie Kendrick. I actually linked to her blog post earlier this week, but thought it was so good, I'd feature more fully here:

The youngest person in the on air reporter/anchor division is in his late 30′s. Everyone else is in their 40s, 50′s and 60′s. This is a well seasoned roster of professionals, from all walks of life, all with more than enough real world experience under their belts. I’ve worked with many of these people before. They’re family and I’m getting to know the others who I’ve listened to or watched over the past two decades I’ve lived in Houston. They are rapidly becoming family. The vibe is good at this place and so far, management seems fair and accomodating. Finally, a broadcast entity who “gets it”. Age CAN be a plus.

We’ve all gathered for training over the past few weeks. Recently, I looked around the room and saw so much experience, literally etched on do many faces. A wrinkle here, a double chin there. True, we’re not the flawless specimens we used to be, but then again, like wine, we’ve aged…and we’re better. Calmer, more dependable. We can now dictate life (well, sort of) and we’re not as victimized by it’s capriciousness. That’s one of the plusses of getting older. You get to make a deal with life. You develop a mutual understanding. Life starts to give you more freedom and trust me, there IS freedom in no longer needing to be all the things your youth demanded that you be.

And what makes this new venture even better, is how Radio One is handling it. They’re not firing anyone employed at the gospel station; employees will be absorbed within the company. And they’re being very considerate to the fans of the soon to be former gospel station by keeping it on the air, via a side component; a high-definition frequency at a different dial position. To make that work for the audience, Radio One is shelling out an untold amount of money to buy high def radios that will be distributed throughout the community, absolutely gratis. They’re also sending corporate liaisons into the community to explain why a Black gospel format has been replaced by an all news one. READ THE REST

Rumors are going around we could see some changes at 740 KTRH to answer News 92 FM KROI. We'll have to wait and see if this happens. Also, as you can tell from the above logo, the website will eventually be News92FM.com.

As mentioned in my earlier post, the station employs some well known names in Houston broadcasting. The morning news will be anchored by Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, who served the Houston market as a broadcast duo for over 27 years. Additional duties throughout the day will be handled by other local notables including (listed alphabetically) Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news

Radio One is jumping into the 24 hour news radio business for the first time anywhere, right here in Houston. Just announced today, the owner of 97.9 The Box KBXX and Magic 102 KMJQ, is flipping Praise 92.1 KROI to News 92 FM on November 14. This after 740 KTRH abandoned the News Radio slogan and fired longtime morning anchors J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes. Well now Pritchard and Hughes will reunite at the new station with a ton of other famous Houston broadcasting names (see below).

I've been alluding to an FM news station coming to Houston over the last few weeks. Rumors were flying, but no one was talking about it until now. Here is the official Radio One release about KROI:

Radio One Regional Vice-President Doug Abernethy announced today that KROI-FM/Houston (92.1 FM) will begin its programming as a full service news station the week of November 14, 2011. Using the on air moniker "News 92 FM," this 24 hour news and information station will be fortified by the world wide resources of ABC News Radio and Associated Press Platinum and will be populated with the voices of some of Houston's most well known and award-winning radio and television personalities.

The morning news will be anchored by Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, who served the Houston market as a broadcast duo for over 27 years. Additional duties throughout the day will be handled by other local notables including (listed alphabetically) Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

"Our review of Houston's broadcast landscape told us that those listeners interested in local news as well as national news were being poorly served," says Abernethy, "so we decided to make a commitment to delivering the news in a dependable fashion. People want to hear about news as it happens, and they shouldn't have to wait until their radio station 'catches up'. We'll deliver the news as it unfolds."

Ed Shane, founder and president of the Houston-based Shane Media Services, is serving as Project Manager on the format flip from gospel music to all news and predicts that Houstonians will find much to like about News 92 FM.

"We're going to give people the facts without the biased opinions that dominate so-called news stations," offers Shane. "We've assembled an A-list of broadcast journalists whose mission is to report the news and let people make up their own minds."

Shane says that the programming team, led by veteran news director Denise Bishop, will deliver an appealing blend of local, regional and national news along with topical information and the traffic and weather updates that are essential to Houston listeners.

Barry Mayo, President of the radio division for Radio One agrees. "The change that we announced today is a ground-breaking and necessary addition to the choices available to the residents of the Houston metro area," said Mayo. "The ability to realize a need and then take the appropriate action to satisfy it is what has sustained the popularity of our Houston radio stations."

The station will broadcast from recently expanded studios in the Radio One broadcast center that currently houses market leaders Majic 102 (KMJQ-FM) and 97.9 The Box (KBXX-FM). KROI-FM's current programming, Praise 92.1 will moved to Majic 102's HD channel and will stream online at www.PraiseHouston.com.

Praise 92.1 is home to the syndicated Yolanda Adams Morning Show, but I assume Adams will just keep broadcasting across the nation from the Radio One Houston studios (assuming she still broadcasts the show from here).

RELATED
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Fox 26 KRIV reporter Sally MacDonald's new duty

Every week in the Houston TV world, someone is having a baby.

It was recently brought to my attention that Fox 26 KRIV reporter Sally MacDonald just gave birth weeks ago. Jenna Martin was born on February 23. Sally's husband and Jenna's father is KPRC 2 photographer Brandon Martin.

I went back and found Ken Hoffman reported Jenna weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Hoffman also mentioned that MacDonald's father is Jerry MacDonald, CEO of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. That's a cool factoid.

Congratulations.

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KPRC 2 reporter power couple's latest investigation...dirty diapers

This is the time to be a fugitive or scam artist in Houston. Why? Married KPRC 2 investigative reporters Amy Davis and Joel Eisenbaum are really busy right now.

That's right, we congratulate the TV power couple on the birth of their first son Jackson Eisenbaum.

KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton blogs that Jackson weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz. Click2Houston.com says he was born close to 5pm Tuesday.

The Eisenbaum-Davis clan is just the latest in a line of Houston TV folks having/expecting new bundles of joy.

KPRC 2 morning anchor Lauren Freeman was first, followed by KIAH 39 sports director Jorge Vargas.

Benton blogs about the others still waiting for their due date.

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