NewsFix: How are ratings for KIAH 39's anchorless news?

"A radically different approach to local TV News is being planned..."

With that opening sentence written in the Imaginator job description, NewsFix was brought into our consciousness July 2010. So what has happened to the KIAH 39 Tribune anchorless newscast in the six plus months since its debut?

I really haven't written much about NewsFix since it went on the air. After working at KIAH before NewsFix's launch, I felt I knew too much about it and wanted some distance before really blogging about it. Clearly a news program billed as "revolutionary" and a reinvention of "the 80's rooted, focus grouped, yuppie anchors and a news desk, super doppler ultra weather style" should be given some attention.

September marked the six month marker of the NewsFix era. In August, I obtained KIAH 39's 9pm monthly ratings from July 2009 to August 2011 (more on the 5pm below). However, I do not have the September 2011 9pm ratings.

First, let's go back to the 9pm news ratings pre-NewsFix. From July 2009 to August 2010, KIAH's 9pm news had a monthly rating of anywhere from a 1.1 share to a 2.0 according to Nielsen, the company that tracks TV ratings. I would love to take credit for this next part - from September to December 2010 (while myself and the other freelance reporters were employed there), the ratings started to trend up. In November, the 9pm rated a 2.1, then a 3.3 in December. Shout out to executive producer Perry Pace and assignments manager Joe Segura for that and of course the entire staff too.

However there was a downward trend in the ratings starting in January 2011 as more and more resources left the newscast for the oncoming NewsFix.

For the month of March (NewsFix debuted at the end of that month), the 9pm monthly average was 1.1. April went down to 1.0. May down to 0.9. Then we saw growth to a 1.0 in June and July. August saw another jump to 1.2. Unfortunately I don't have the ratings for September.

I also got word from a source at KIAH that one day in mid-October, "NewsFix had the highest ratings in Houston at 5pm for the 18-49 demographic." That's the demo that advertisers like.

So ratings are going back up to and sometimes ahead of the former newscast. From a business standpoint, this must be a win for Tribune and KIAH. As everyone knows, NewsFix ditches the standard positions of anchors, reporters, weather and sports talent. So if the station has cut those salaries out of the equation and is building up to pre-NewsFix ratings levels (when it was paying all of those people plus their benefits), the accountants must be happy.

Since the show's debut, we've seen the introduction of new segments like "The Fixer" and "Class Acts," plus the addition of morning newscast Eye Opener with local news from Mia Gradney.

I'm not going to sit there and critique the show, obviously the format is not for everyone, but there is an audience finding it. If you don't like it, there are plenty of standard newscasts on the air in Houston to watch. I have noticed NewsFix viewers talking positively about it on Twitter over the last few months.

Before NewsFix's debut, I heard a lot of concern about what it was trying to do from people at the other Houston stations. They saw the potential writing on the wall if an anchorless format catches on. While I don't subscribe to Tribune's marketing hype that NewsFix will change the face of TV news, I do potentially see it catching on in certain markets as a way for low performing stations to try something else while attempting to help the balance sheet in these rough economic times.

I'll close with this thought. NewsFix changed a lot from the demo show that was put together in 2010. If you think NewsFix is edgy now, you should have seen the demo. Here is an article that describes what was in it.

KIAH 39 declined comment for this post.

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KIAH 39's NewsFix hits one year on the air

There were many doubts when KIAH 39 announced it was dumping traditional news for the new NewsFix format. I remember people giving it only a few months to survive. Well a year later, we get the release from the Tribune owned station heralding its one year anniversary:

The local television newscast like none other in America has reached a milestone - a full year of innovation in showing viewers a new way to experience news.

On March 19, 2011, Tribune’s KIAH-TV debuted “NewsFix”, the creative, anchorless newscast that has captivated the Houston market with convincing success.

“Making the transition from the traditional news format has been an energizing experience,” said Roger Bare, VP/GM of KIAH. “I’m proud of the commitment and hard work that has led to “NewsFix’s” success.”

“Newsfix” has the highest percentage of overall viewership under the age of 34 (55% at 5p, 57% at 9p), nearly doubling the percentage of its closest competitor in the market. The median age of the Houston television late news viewer is 55.8, “NewsFix’s” 9:00pm median age is 32.5, the youngest median age among late newscasts in the market. Overall, “NewsFix’s” viewership has significantly increased, more than doubling its weekday 5:00pm audience since its debut, while doubling 5:00pm and 9:00pm ratings in the 18-49 and 25-54 age groups.

“We are pleased with what “NewsFix” has accomplished in its first year,” said Nils Larsen, CEO of Tribune Broadcasting. “It has proven to be a viable news format, one of many recent innovations in newsrooms across Tribune Broadcasting.”

“We have created a new format that some would consider alternative news,” said KIAH News Director Gary Jaffe. “We have proven to be engaging and thought-provoking, and we verbalize it in a catchy and responsible way.”

While “NewsFix” has broken new ground in terms of local news presentation, the program’s diversity of content has created a journalistic forum unlike traditional broadcasts. Features such as Bullet Points (hosted by former radio personality and gun shop owner Jim Pruett) and Crime Bureau (Harris County Constable Victor Trevino) provide unique community awareness. The weekly NewsFixer investigative segment fights bureaucratic red tape to provide solutions for viewers, and prompted a nationwide removal of a potentially dangerous pet product from store shelves.

“We’re providing an open line of communication with our viewers,” said Jaffe. “We’re casting a wide net of content aggregation, and that’s what our viewers keep coming back for—especially first-time news watchers who enjoy experiencing news in a new way.”

“Before our launch there was much skepticism among media watchers, who wondered if “NewsFix” would succeed,” said Steve Simon, the show’s executive producer. “We’ve answered that.”

RELATED
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- NewsFix: How are ratings for KIAH 39's anchorless news?
- NewsFix Behind The Scenes of CW39 KIAH
- KIAH 39's NewsFix gets product pulled
- KIAH 39 dumps traditional newscasts

Rapper Bun B joins KIAH 39's NewsFix

Monday, KIAH 39 told us about its one year NewsFix anniversary. Now the station is letting us know that Houston rapper Bun B is joining the show:

Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, award winning rapper and half of the duo UGK, joins “NewsFix” with his own feature: Bun’s Beat. “NewsFix” in Houston is excited to pass the mic to Bun B, a prominent voice in the hip hop community with local flavor. Bun’s Beat will air twice weekly during “NewsFix”, in which Bun B will share his views on how life relates to the hip hop culture.

“I’m really excited about being a part of “NewsFix”. It is different, creative and a great fit for me,” said Bun B. “When I first watched “NewsFix”, I knew this would be a great way for people to get to know me.”

Viewers at home can expect Bun B to talk to them about hot topics – everything from Houston’s hip hop scene to current events. It can be seen as an extension of the Hip Hop Religion class Bun B teaches at Rice University, where he focuses on the hip hop culture and its effects on people’s lives.

“Bun B lives in Houston and has a real sense of the city. When he speaks through his music people listen; we expect them to pay close attention to what he says on “NewsFix”, said Gary Jaffe, “NewsFix” News Director.

Bun’s Beat is another way “NewsFix’s” anchorless format presents current trends and culture as relevant and engaging news features. The feature will air Tuesdays and Thursdays on NewsFix.

Apparently KIAH 39 now has two websites - newsfixnow.com and 39online.com.

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- SportsTalk 790's Charlie Pallilo joins KIAH 39's NewsFix
- KIAH 39's NewsFix launches 'The Fixer' investigative and consumer unit

NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

UPDATE OCTOBER 18, 2018
Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

Revelations from NewsFix's development and what the old KIAH newsroom was like before the new show's debut


NewsFix on CW39 KIAH Houston and CW33 KDAF in Dallas-Fort Worth has officially signed off after eight years (at least in H-Town).

Below are some goodbye videos from the last broadcast.

I don't know if I've ever written this before or not, but back in 2010, I was kinda getting bored of writing this blog when this wild Tribune concept to revolutionize news appeared on my radar.

Suddenly I was excited about blogging again.

So who knows, if NewsFix never existed, would my blog even be around today? There are probably now a lot of TV managers who suddenly wish they could go back in time and stop Tribune.

Also, I can thank NewsFix for allowing me to meet KLOL legend Grego and AOR radio creator Lee Abrams - both will appear in my upcoming 101 KLOL documentary. Being that I'm a KLOL photo addict, if you have any photos or video of Grego from his radio days...let me know! While we're at it, anyone have any Lee Abrams photos from the 70s or 80s? They could end up in the film.

You might remember that KIAH hired me as a temp reporter ahead of the NewsFix launch to fill-in the staffing gap as employees left the station or were transitioning to the new NewsFix side of things. That was a fascinating view of a station in transition from my perspective.

RELATED: NewsFix Behind The Scenes of CW39 KIAH

The newsroom actually was overhauled for NewsFix. State of the art broadcast tech was installed, the joint was re-wired with faster pipes for data...office space was converted, even the walls were repainted.

Looking back, I was actually watching the show being developed in real-time. After all, nothing like this had ever been done.

No joke, comedy writers were being hired to punch up scripts a la Jackie Martling. Sound engineers were being hired to sweeten the sound. If you work in TV news, sound is the last thing most news crews think about as they are recording audio in the field. Graphics production was amped way up compared to normal newscasts...although from what I hear...these days traditional news departments have caught up in that department.

The NewsFix staff even held rehearsals for a months ahead of the launch. They were finding stories, shooting and editing them. Full shows were put together that never aired.

And if you were still working for the 39 News that was still on the air, you could not ask a NewsFix person for help, because they were now working on the future thing.

There were people hired for NewsFix that were gone before the show debuted.

I was originally hired to be on a few weeks in the fall of 2010. Weeks turned to months. Then 2011 rolled around. NewsFix finally debuted in March.

My biggest NewsFix regret was not getting a copy of the original show pilot as recalled here. I did actually see part of it and yes, it really was shocking. The way society has changed since 2010, that pilot would probably trigger many viewers today. I can tell you that the show that debuted in 2011, looked like the pilot aesthetically, but was NOTHING like the pilot.

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Also interesting was watching the 2010-11 culture war between KHOU and KTRK brew inside the old 39 newsroom (CAUTION: This is about to get really nerdy and insidery - and no, there was nothing going on like this).

KIAH at that point was staffed by a lot of former KHOU managers and producers who had the Belo way of doing things. Then a lot of temp staffers came in who were formerly of KTRK. As a former KTRKer, the old Belo KHOU and the old 13 were in the same city but operated their newsrooms worlds apart. Now the two staffs were together operating in the same environment.

Let's call it a battle of philosophies. For example, from my memory, back then, 13 liked quick anchor intros:

KTRK anchor 1: Looking for the best price on airfare?
KTRK anchor 2: Eyewitness News reporter [blank] found out there are some tricks on the Internet that can help you fly on a budget.

Now the old Belo way:

KHOU anchor 1: The sun is coming out and Houstonians are ready to head out for a summer adventure. But whether you're jetting off to Europe or taking a trip to our national park system closer to home, when it comes to buying that plane ticket, you need to do your due diligence.
KHOU anchor 2: 11 News reporter [blank] travelled around talking with experts to find out how timing can play a big part in landing your dream vacation.

My examples might be a little cartoonish, but it's late on a Friday night as I'm writing this, and you get my point. And I'm not saying either style is right or wrong. Each style works. Both of these stations were also at the top of the ratings back then in a big battle.

All this aside, the newsroom was a pretty fun and nice environment. Everyone was cool. It was not the pressure cooker that either the KHOU or KTRK newsroom would have been at the time. I enjoyed working with the KHOU staff and learned things from them. Newsroom leader Perry Pace was one of my favorite bosses ever.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention two current Houston news stars that came from the old CW39 news department - Mia Gradney (now KHOU) and Mayra Moreno (now KTRK). Also, Maggie Flecknoe, who was working as an AP back then, is the star of KIAH's morning news, which as Morning Dose goes away, will give way to a new three hour local show.

And I have to say, the old 39 News staff stayed professional to the end. As I mentioned, many of these young folks had left jobs at the bigger Houston station to move up in their career. They are then told that their news is being cancelled. Many chose to leave at that point or keep working until they found a new job. Others knew they were working in a job that was going away and were hoping to get hired on with NewsFix. I got the impression the old 39 newsroom was pretty tight and like a family. So I assume there were a lot of raw emotions, but everyone showed up and kept working hard to get the traditional newscast on the air.

Today we face the same issue. After posting about the upcoming NewsFix cancellation, employees of both KIAH and KDAF shared their stories with me on social media. Some were recently hired, others had been working for years on the show. As the Houston Business Journal reported, between the two stations and Morning Dose, there are 120 people without jobs as of month.

Keep them in your thoughts, and look out for them. There are talented people at both stations that now need work to support themselves and their families.

Steve Simon expands NewsFix to KDAF from KIAH

Steve Simon leaves Houston's KIAH to expand NewsFix format to KDAF Dallas

Steve Simon

People who were waiting to see if/when CW 39 KIAH's anchor-less show NewsFix would start showing up in other cities now have an answer.

 KIAH executive director Steve Simon is leaving the Tribune station in Houston and moving to sister station KDAF in Dallas as news director to start NewsFix in the DFW Metroplex.

"It's a great opportunity," Simon told mikemcguff.com. "Look forward to it."

Simon has been at KIAH for the last 13 years. When the then KHWB rebooted its news in 2000, Simon was the station's weekend anchor for the launch. He moved to main anchor and then as a commentator. He became the station's executive producer in 2010 prior to NewsFix's launch.

Before Houston, Simon worked at WSVN-TV Miami, WHNT-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio and WFXL-TV in Albany, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Texas and earned a masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

You might remember Simon's wife, Lisa Baldwin, from her years on KPRC 2.

I asked Simon if his award winning Simon Says commentary would air on KIAH or KDAF once he gets settled in DFW.

"Once the show starts in Dallas, maybe I'll think about doing it again," he told me.

Simon's promotion follows the one by his boss a few months ago. KIAH general manager Roger Bare took over GM duties at KDAF (while retaining his Houston duties too) in September.

No word on when NewsFix debuts on KDAF, but I would imagine it will take some time. For example, NewsFix's KIAH debut was announced in July 2010, but formally came on the air March 2011. I would imagine it will not take KDAF that long to get it on the air since there is a blueprint in place, but I'm sure there will have to be new hires and equipment upgrades.

I know that people across the country in the TV biz want to know how NewsFix does in the Houston TV news ratings race. At the one year anniversary, the then Tribune CEO said the following:

“We are pleased with what “NewsFix” has accomplished in its first year,” said Nils Larsen, CEO of Tribune Broadcasting. “It has proven to be a viable news format, one of many recent innovations in newsrooms across Tribune Broadcasting.”

Click here to see the company's ratings claims in 2012.

In the May 2013 ratings, the Houston Chronicle reported it had a 0.5 in households and a 0.3 in adults 25-54. Someone commented in that post that NewsFix had a 0.5 P25-54 at 5pm which they claimed was competitive with KRIV and KHOU in that time slot.

While the ratings might not be burning up the Nielsen TV charts, I repeatedly hear NewsFix is profitable. I think most TV viewers know the cliche that TV stations will "do anything for high ratings," but that might not be the case as much anymore.

In the last few years I have observed most corporate TV companies are just fine with profitability over high ratings. Clearly high ratings means more money through advertising, but these days, the retransmission fees are becoming just as important.

Dallas media blogger icon Uncle Barky has more on this from the KDAF Dallas perspective.

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Houston Chronicle's SciGuy Eric Berger joins CW39's NewsFix

Houston Chronicle space, weather and science reporter added to NewsFix

CW39 KIAH's NewsFix has already tapped the Houston media for contributors and now we see another addition. The Houston Chronicle's SciGuy, Eric Berger, will be joining the show every Tuesday and Saturday at 5pm and 9pm. Here is more from the official release:

Eric Berger

When describing NEWSFIX, CW39's revolutionary newscast, five words usually come to mind for Houstonians: "News In A New Way." Starting Tuesday, July 9th, NEWSFIX will feature science in a new way with the Houston Chronicle's Eric 'SciGuy' Berger.

SciGuy is the Houston Chronicle's space, weather and science reporter, covering everything "from nanometers to parsecs." As one of the most popular writers on Chron.com, SciGuy has a unique style of storytelling. That could be why he has a loyal following not only at the Houston Chronicle, but also in other markets throughout the country.

“We are very excited to be partnering with The Houston Chronicle on this project," said Gary Jaffe, News Director of NEWSFIX, "We have always been a big fan of the SciGuy, and NEWSFIX is the perfect fit to bring an animated & graphic intensive version of Eric’s unique voice to life.”

Eric Berger has become a trusted meteorological news source in Houston. His daily updates during Hurricane Ike, were a valuable lifeline for many local residents in the path of the storm. Berger's weather coverage became such a big hit, the Houston Chronicle recently created SciGuy's own daily ‘Weather Now’ page.

“CW39’s NEWSFIX is the perfect partner for this project and we are thrilled to be working with them. Eric has a unique and distinctive storytelling style that allows him to explore complex scientific topics and explain them in a simple and entertaining way,” said Linda Schaible, VP of Marketing and Audience Development, “The partnering of the Houston Chronicle and NEWSFIX highlights both of our fast paced entertaining news products, which match very well with Eric’s style.”

Starting July 9th, the SciGuy franchise will air every Tuesday and Saturday at 5pm and 9pm only on CW39’s NEWSFIX. For a sneak preview visit NewsFixNow.com.

Other contributors include former Houston Press reporter and current Houston Chronicle guy Craig Hlavaty, SportsTalk 790's Charlie Pallilo and rapper Bun B.

NewsFix creator Lee Abrams launches TOUCHVISIONsm - is this NewsFix 2.0?

By now, you've probably heard of CW39 KIAH's NewsFix, which eschews anchor/reporter types for voice-overs and graphics. The show has been running since March of 2011. The idea of a news revolution also arrived at the station's Dallas Tribune sister KDAF 33 although in a different way.

Now as stations chase the all elusive younger news demo, other companies are joining the fray.

NewsFix creator Lee Abrams, formerly of Tribune, has just launched a new startup called TOUCHVISION, Robert Feder reported. I think it looks like similar to NewsFix and at least one of Feder's commenters agrees.

Here is more from the company's press release:

TOUCHVISIONsm Network, the first 24/7 live video stream information network designed for Millennials Plus, is set to launch this summer on television, online, on tablets and on phones - reinventing news and information programming. Featuring stunning visuals, a powerful soundtrack and unbiased reporting, TOUCHVISIONsm is smart but not elite, offering a compelling draw for an audience that up to now has often shown little interest in TV news programming. It's TV news for the digital world.

Those words sound a little NewsFix-ish, but wait, there's more!:

With a pedigree in TV news and online/digital information and led by executives with a history of reinventing media, TOUCHVISIONsm provides the next generation of news and information that stimulates the eye, the ear and the brain.

The news is updated 24/7. Segments are presented as "News Movies," scored with a rich soundtrack and compelling graphics. The Associated Press, CNN, Reuters, Getty Images and additional sources provide the initial feed, which is supplemented with TOUCHVISIONsm's proprietary features.

TOUCHVISION's video reel also has the modern/cutting-edge aesthetic of NewsFix (screen grab above). One promised TOUCHVISION segment called "America by Numbers" might even sound like NewsFix's "Houston by Numbers."

Abrams was famously dismissed from Tribune months before NewsFix debuted so his impact had somewhat diminished by the time of the show's roll out. I suspect TOUCHVISION is his chance to give the world more of his original vision.

Unrelated to Tribune or Abrams, Fox launched a new show on New Jersey's WWOR-TV in place of the station's traditional 10pm newscast. From the short clip released online, it looks a lot like TMZ down to the Harvey Levin staff meeting. The show is called Chasing New Jersey and guess what? The TV trades are reporting that Fox has applied for several Chasing trademarks around the country including Chasing Texas.

Looks like the TV news revolution (aka quest for younger demos that don't watch news) is slowly spreading.

touchvisiontv.com

SportsTalk 790's Charlie Pallilo joins KIAH 39's NewsFix

KIAH 39's NewsFix continues to add new segments. The latest has a sports theme with SportsTalk 790 KBME host Charlie Pallilo (video embedded above). The segment is called Day in Sports which is similar in structure to Day in Music with 107.5 The Eagle KGLK's Dean And Rog.

"Hopefully [it's a] fun minute featuring the notable and/or quirky and one sports birthday," Pallilo described to mikemcguff.com.

“Charlie is a walking sports almanac," said Newsfix Imaginator and Executive Producer Gary Jaffe. "His insight always makes you think and his viewpoint fits in perfectly with the Newsfix audience.”

Day in Sports airs on NewsFix Wednesdays and Fridays at 5pm and 9pm.

Pallilo has notably been a big contributor to KTRK 13's Extra Points program with Tim Melton. He tells me the NewsFix segment will not interfere with his role on Channel 13.

You can read Pallilo's writing at The Pallilog.

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NewsFix gets vote of confidence from new Tribune boss

Tribune's new news chief, Katherine Green, wants to figure out how to increase the audience for Eye Opener and NewsFix on KIAH 39 and KDAF 33

TVNewsCheck's Diana Marszalek interviewed Tribune's new news chief Katherine Green about the company and NewsFix on KIAH 39 Houston and KDAF 33 Dallas-Fort Worth came up...and it appears the new boss likes the concept:

You inherited some of the more offbeat news shows out there — NewsFix, the anchorless newscast on KIAH Houston, and the syndicated morning show Eye Opener. Are those models for other markets, or are there other non-traditional formats in the works?

We have these two formats, Eye Opener and NewsFix, which took big risks and I think we really owe it to those products to look at them closely and figure out how we can increase the audience for them.

NewsFix and Eye Opener are fascinating, and I like watching them to see how we can deliver information in a different way. Not everything needs to be done with two anchors and a desk. But when I say that it doesn’t mean that you get rid of those things, but understanding that we’re looking for something more interesting, more distinctive than the traditional model.

We have some newscasts where they are taking down the boundaries. The [WGN] Chicago morning show for example has real people with real lives who have a sense of humor but can also be serious. They are people who let their hair down a little bit.

Sometimes it feels like the people behind the news are behind the Plexiglas screen and I think that we should be all in this together. But I am not the person behind all the ideas. It’s really more about how do we give [the stations] permission to move forward without trying to be gimmicky.

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Eye Opener's Maggie Flecknoe wins!

Hot Houston TV anchors, NewsFix, drunken moments on TV news and more

Mike McGuff will be on Talk650 AM Monday morning at 9:30am discussing NewsFix.




Houston hottest TV anchor bracket
610 KILT's Rich Lord and Josh Innes have come up with an idea to celebrate the NCAA Tournament...a tournament of their own to find out who really is the hottest woman in the Houston media.(Thanks Marc)

Newsfix Launches in Houston
Tribune says NewsFix on KIAH 39 is written with strong narrative that unleashes sight and sound, and brings the news to a new level of predictably unpredictable cinematic stimulation rarely seen on TV.
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Megan Henderson appears to be quite happy in L.A.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KPRC 2 gets new news director Deborah Collura, plus her other duties
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KIAH 39's NewsFix is bringing revolution to schools

KIAH 39 is hitting the high schools with a new "Class Acts" segment. NewsFix will spotlight students and then broadcast from Houston area high school games each week. In NewsFix revolutionary fashion, I think the featured student's voice should only be heard...their face should never be shown on camera. Just kidding, I'm sure the student's friends and family would not be happy about that:

HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT FEATURED WEEKLY ON CW39 NEWSFIX
We’d like your team on our team!

Each week, CW39 KIAH-TV’s NewsFix will feature a special achiever on a new “Class Acts” segment. We’ll spotlight students who make a difference, whether in athletics, academics or community service.
As an exciting tool to promote our coverage of your well-deserving students, NewsFix will broadcast live from a different high school football stadium each week, at a location that involves the team and school of the respective highlighted student. Your players, student body and parents will be the focus during our 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. broadcasts, and your “Class Acts” story of excellence and achievement will then receive prime time attention during our newscasts the next night.

Along with the tremendous televised exposure, “Class Acts” is also a social happening for your school community. Each game and student profile will be featured throughout the following weekend on 39online.com, and our Facebook page will feature additional “Class Acts” coverage. Get involved! “Class Acts” is about you and your community.

Our inaugural “Class Acts” subject Katy’s Terry Brandt, an inspirational member of the school’s football training program. Brandt’s appearance on NewsFix coincides with the program’s live coverage of the Tigers’ game against North Shore.

Let us know your own “Class Acts.” NewsFix urges any school administrators and coaches to send story ideas and submissions to news@39online.com or call at (713) 435-2953.
“Class Acts” is part of CW39’s ongoing commitment to covering community-related news and events of interest that people talk about! CW39/KIAH-TV is a Tribune Broadcasting television station.

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NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

UPDATE OCTOBER 18, 2018
Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
NewsFix officially signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

NewsFix and morning dose will no longer air on KIAH CW39 Houston and KDAF CW33 DFW


According to an internal email obtained by mikemcguff.com, Tribune Media is cancelling NewsFix and its syndicated show morning.dose.

However, we learn from the memo that a new three-hour local morning newscast will launch this fall on CW39 KIAH.

No word on how Houston morning anchor Maggie Flecknoe or NewsFix voiceover/commentator Greg "Grego" Onofrio will be incorporated into the station's new plans.

Apparently the shows will stop production next Friday.

Here is the memo:

I want to take a moment this morning to make you aware of some strategic decisions we have made regarding newscasts in several of our markets. First, some context—while broadcasting delivered strong financial results in the second quarter, to continue being successful, we need to be constantly looking for new growth opportunities and finding new ways of improving our existing businesses. We must be nimble, innovative, and, where it makes sense to do so, be willing to re-think some of our strategies.

It is with these things in mind that we have made the decision to discontinue production of Morning Dose, News Fix in Houston and Dallas, and the late newscast at WDCW in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of a lot of talented employees, these shows haven’t delivered the ratings or the revenue we hoped for when they were launched. The decision to discontinue any show is never easy and we don’t do it lightly. We understand that these decisions affect the lives of good people who gave their best efforts to achieve success; we hope to give many of them the opportunity to transition to new roles elsewhere in our station group.

Taking these steps will enable us to reallocate the resources devoted to these shows to other areas of our broadcasting business, including the further expansion of local news in several markets. This fall we will add a new three-hour local morning newscast at KIAH in Houston and expand PHL Morning News from 90-minutes to three hours at WPHL in Philadelphia. Mornings are a time-period where we have seen growth, and by shifting resources we believe we can better serve our local audiences.

Tribune continues to make strategic investments. We’re also devoting significant capital to improve the infrastructure at many of our stations and their newsrooms. As Peter mentioned, we’ll be building a new set/studio at WDAF in Kansas City, and in Arkansas, we recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art facility for KFSM and KXNW. KFOR’s new stormproof building in Oklahoma City is now complete and nine of our newsrooms kicked off substantial capital improvements in infrastructure, sets and building renovation this year.

We need to work to make these investments pay dividends for our viewers and advertisers, and ultimately for the company. This year, our broadcast group will produce roughly 84,000 hours of local news across our station group. In the last 5 years, we have expanded our news hours by 34 percent, more than any other station group in the U.S. Of our 27 news producing markets with full news operations, 21 of our stations are ranked #1 or #2 in the market among adults aged 25 to 54. Many markets have reached new rating milestones in 2018 through ratings growth and expansion. Finally, Tribune Media continues to be the #1 broadcast group online and one of the top-20 providers of online news in America. Our strength in local news has allowed our sales departments to drive significant share growth in political advertising, helping to offset the softness in the overall core market.

Peter has challenged us to find growth opportunities and improve our businesses while we navigate the current industry trends. To date we can all be proud of our collective performance, and for that I am grateful. As we close out Q3, let’s continue to play offense, focus on innovation and redirect our thinking to find opportunities that make our company better every day. I thank you for your hard work and dedication to your stations and to Tribune Broadcasting.

Larry Wert

Back in 2010, Tribune announced it was reinventing news with the NewsFix format and chose KIAH CW39 to be the start of its news revolution. The idea then moved to KDAF CW33 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

"I remember being told in the beginning that NewsFix wouldn't last six months," NewsFix contributor and Houston Chronicle reporter Craig Hlavaty told mikemcguff.com. "We made it seven years. In terms of longevity in a city like Houston that's massive. I am floored thinking about the amount of creatives that worked on that news show over the years. My weekly segment opened up an immeasurable amount of doors for me personally, creatively, and professionally. It's hard to quantify the impact it had on my life, suffice to say it changed my life forever."

"There were a lot of firsts," Hlavaty added. "I think I was the first TV reporter to tattoo himself on camera, get thrown in a pool by Lou Ferrigno, nearly get punched by Mike Tyson, get an IV full of vitamins, and interview the lead singer of GWAR. Through my segment I wrapped my arms around the city of Houston and points beyond and I will never let go, ever. That love affair with the city translates daily into my work as a Houston Chronicle staffer."

Just last summer, Tribune re-branded its Dallas-based morning show Eye Opener, as morning dose (yes they keep it all lowercase).

At the time of its re-launch morning dose aired in these six Tribune markets: KDAF/Dallas, KIAH/Houston, WPHL/Philadelphia, WDCW/Washington DC, WSFL/Miami and KRCW/Portland, OR.

As you have probably read in the news, Tribune tried to sell its stations to the Sinclair Broadcast Group. That did not work out. Just yesterday, a new report surfaced Tribune is attempting to sell again.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
NewsFix officially signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

UPDATE SEPT. 11, 2018
According to the Houston Business Journal, Tribune Broadcasting will cut 120 jobs in Houston and Dallas as a result of recently canceled shows.

EXCLUSIVE: NewsFix Behind The Scenes of CW39 KIAH

UPDATED:
NewsFix sneak preview



NewsFix Behind The Scenes 39 KIAH



Because I still work at KIAH CW39, you haven't heard much from me about NewsFix lately. That changes today as I offer you the first look at the behind the scenes of the NewsFix operation.

Don't forget, tonight at 5pm and 9pm, you will see more of what NewsFix is about on CW39.

BTW, the video is hosted by GregO, the voice of NewsFix. Many Houston and Dallas (as well as other places) will remember him on the radio. He was a big player at Rock 101 KLOL and 97.1 The Eagle KEGL.

My KIAH 39 NewsFix Imaginator resume cover letter

OK here it is. I told you I was going to use your suggestions to apply for the KIAH 39 NewsFix Imaginator position. This is the job Tribune Company says will revolutionize news.

Thanks to everyone who has shown support for my application process - from those in the Houston media to bloggers.

Please comment your critiques on my cover letter for the Imaginator job. Think of it as your way to let KIAH and other TV news managers know what you are thinking. Considering what the job is calling for and the tone of the job description, should I cuss more? Be more rock and roll? Talk myself up more? Use proper spelling and grammar?

Here it is:

I saw a bumper sticker on Loop 610 last weekend that read "TV Sucks: Ride a bike." While I am not much of a bike rider anymore, I have to say much of TV does suck including local news. News viewers are not turning it on as much, not tuning in, only dropping out.

We can change that.

For NewsFix to work, you're going to have to hire someone like me who is tuned into the Houston community (even more rare, I am a native Houstonian). Things that work on TV/radio in Houston...only work here. Did you ever see a Marvin Zindler report?

My blog has more than 20,000 unique readers a month. I was voted top Twitterer in Houston by the Houston Press readers for 2009. Keep in mind that I am only some dude with a free blogger.com account...imagine what I could do with a damn TV transmitter!

My bosses at KTRK used to say Mike McGuff is the best at merging television and the web. That's why I'm the only person in Texas to have two Lone Star EMMY Advanced Media Awards to my name in two years. Not only that, but I also won First and Second place in Best Online/Special Content from the Texas AP in the same year!

But before you throw my resume out because "I have too much TV experience" keep reading. What I'm saying is you need a guy like me who knows what's really going on in Houston and is connected. There are people in this city who would love to contribute to the newscast. Want investigative reports? Groups like Texas Watchdog are doing the journalism, NewsFix could provide the time. Want to know what hot new restaurant is going into that old famous building in Montrose? Swamplot has your answer. Want the latest society scoop, Culturemap knows.

I'm the one to bring all these parties together and actually get it on TV so viewers aren't being subjected to some guy giving his opinion on high gas prices in the predictable "man on the street" interviews. Don't even get me started on live shots at night where it looks like the reporter is reporting from their closet.

Speaking of the online world, you could totally dominate with what I can do. Wanna experience how much I know about online? This cover letter was crowdsourced. Yeah, I took reader suggestions from my blog for ideas on this letter. You think Tribune is getting buzz off NewsFix? Well so am I! In fact, I want to bring in a camera to record my job interview with you! This is why the trades and news sites as far as Seattle pick up my coverage of the coming KIAH revolution.

Together we can stop the brain drain and BS in local news. Hurry up and call me, the viewers are dropping like flies out there from boredom. Don't let that be on your conscience.

As promised, if I get called in for an interview, I would like to bring in a video camera for at least part of it to be shown on this blog (it would be great to get a few minutes of the NewsFix pilot on mikemcguff.com too). I'm also considering the dress code. They want rock n' roll so I was thinking about slinging my electric guitar around my shoulder and heading into the job interview. I guess that is for another post though.

RELATED
- Mike McGuff resume
- KIAH 39 Imaginator job: Help me apply for it
- KIAH 39 dumps traditional newscasts
- NewsFix pilot debuts to KIAH 39 staff - terrorists referred to as 'bozos' in story

KIAH 39 getting a new morning show? It is getting a car show

Clearly KIAH 39's future NewsFix and Imaginator position are some of the top media stories in the US right now. NewsFix has been featured in the television trades over and over again in the last few weeks.

That being said, I think I've found more to the KIAH 39 NewsFix story...maybe. And this news includes a possible morning newscast NewsFix on channel 39. The station does not currently have a news show in the morning.

Two KIAH 39 job openings have been posted on the Internet, but not on the actual 39online.com jobs page at the time of this writing.

The first open position posted is for preditors. Don't worry, it is not as scary as it sounds. TMZ uses preditors all the time:

PRODUCER EDITORS/HOUSTON: The new Tribune is recruiting anti-establishment preditors to collaborate on a groundbreaking morning news/infotainment format unlike anything ever tried on local TV. www.tribjobs.com Job 15014 (8/11)

You see it here for yourself. It says a groundbreaking morning news/infotainment format. Now maybe it says "morning news" just to describe an idea of the type of news Tribune is going for in Houston...not that an actual morning newscast is coming. Stay tuned.

The next job opening is on the actual Tribune careers page:

Multi-Media Journalist/TV Host for Car Show (Full-Time Position): Got a passion for cars? Do you love, and we mean really LOVE cars? Well, we may have the dream job for you. KIAH-TV, Ch. 39 in Houston is seeking a smart and witty Multi-Media Journalist to host a brand new weekly half-hour car show. This will be your opportunity to set the bar and make your mark in the top ten market.

So there you go. This does not appear to be NewsFix related, but still interesting. KIAH 39 is getting an auto show. Great vehicle for auto dealers to really drive home car and truck sales I guess.

RELATED
- KIAH 39 Imaginator job: Help me apply for it
- NewsFix pilot debuts to KIAH 39 staff - terrorists referred to as 'bozos' in story
- KIAH 39 dumps traditional newscasts

39 KIAH Newsfix - what's the latest?

Allegedly there is a conspiracy theory that I have been hired at KIAH 39 so the company can leak information to me about Newsfix for my blog. If this is true, then I need to find the leak and get this person talking. And why couldn't someone from Tribune just email me stuff? Oh well, it looks like I was actually hired to work as a reporter.

That being said, lots of readers email me asking what the heck is going on with Newsfix. I can give you an update, but its from stuff I found online or has been sent to me by people who do not work for 39 or Tribune corporate.

Newsfix has a web page introducing the 15 things the concept is about.  As noted, someone emailed this to me from outside of the station and I don't even know where to find it on the 39online.com website.

On the hiring front, Newsfix is looking for a Newsfix voice over person:

The New Tribune Company needs a biting and earthy voice to narrate a modern Newsreel style presentation. Think modern day Walter Winchell. Character is far more important than a big "radio voice." We need POV, attitude and a complete lack of traditional radio in your face hype. More akin to documentary with attitude...and non elitist mass appeal intellect. This experiment in modern Television will happen in Houston and is unlike anything on any media.
Skillful writing and a sense of understanding the pulse of America is good.

In addition to the voice, the station needs a sound designer (I've never heard of local TV having a position like this):

KIAH IN HOUSTON will be launching a sound intensive News concept that’ll focus on wide screen sound. Think Soundtrack. It’ll be a combination of recorded music from AC/DC to Zamfir, natural sound, original sound, effects and literally ANY sounds we can gather to better tell our stories.
It would be good if you:
*Have multi genre scope and maybe even encyclopedic of music styles, artist and songs
*Are well versed in today’s sound technologies
*Understand theater of the mind
*Have a knack for matching stunning sound with stunning images and video
*Have no experience in TV. OK—not a deal breaker, but we need someone who thinks more movie or even old time radio than TV.
*Think in stereo
Some musicianship is good but not necessary.

And I leave you with an image of former KIAH news director KyAnn Lewis on the turntables.

KIAH 39's NewsFix gets product pulled

We haven't heard much out of KIAH 39's NewsFix as of late, but that's now changed. The station let me know that one of its NewsFixer investigations has Petco pulling a dog toy from store shelves:

An investigation by KIAH-TV’s “The NewsFixer” has led to a nationwide removal of a dog toy that threatened the health of a Houston canine. The toy “Snuggling Furry Friend,” sold as a private brand under the Petco label, was found to contain traces of Trimethyl Benzene, Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead, along with Naphthalene, the main ingredient in moth balls.

The toxins were detected in the Petco toy by an independent laboratory after a NewsFix viewer, Mark Smith of Houston, told the station his Chow Mix “Charlet” became sick after first chewing on the toy in December 2011. After inquiries by “The NewsFixer,” Petco agreed to pay for Smith’s veterinary expenses. Subsequent investigation by NewsFix led to Petco’s nationwide removal of the chew toy off the shelves, and in the wake of a follow-up story aired on February 23, 2012, Petco said it would also test all similar toys sold in its retail outlets for toxic substances.

“We’re pleased we could help one of our loyal viewers,” said NewsFix News Director Gary Jaffe, “And we’re proud that ‘The NewsFixer’ has continued to be an effective and relevant investigative force in the community.”

Previous “NewsFixer” investigations have revealed wasted resources by the City of Houston, and have prompted hastened municipal cleanup in residential areas.

I realized in posting this news, that the station has re-branded its investigative unit. In this release, the station calls the unit "NewsFixer," but in a previous release, it was called "The Fixer."

RELATED
- KIAH 39's NewsFix launches 'The Fixer' investigative and consumer unit

NewsFix debuts on KIAH 39; McGuff talks about it on Talk650 AM Monday

People have been sending their comments to me (public/private) about NewsFix on KIAH 39. It debuted Saturday night at 5 and 9pm.

Here is my original post in July 2010 talking about it's big announcement. Lots of things happened since that original post. People left 39, people were hired and for me personally, I was hired as a freelance reporter for KIAH 39 to hold down the news fort until NewsFix's arrival.

Well NewsFix is here and I'm gone from channel 39. Since I am no longer a Tribune employee, I am free to return to my blogging roots and talk about NewsFix.

In fact, I will be talking about the NewsFix revolution on the Talk650 KIKK-AM Morning Show at the lovely CBS Houston studios Monday morning at 9:30am. Brent Clanton and Steven Kay have been kind enough to bring me on...so make sure to listen!

The last time I was on Talk650 was on Cleverley Stone's show to discuss my new reporting gig at KIAH 39 in September. How fitting!

KIAH 39's NewsFix launches 'The Fixer' investigative and consumer unit

 
Every Houston TV station has an investigative unit at this point, but when NewsFix was announced on KIAH CW39, I never thought it would have an investigative unit. Looks like I've been fixed though, because the station just notified me of its latest investigative endeavor.

Launched just a few weeks ago, "The Fixer" is NewsFix's new weekly segment in consumer advocacy and investigative reporting.

"The Fixer" has already gone after city hall and gotten results according to the installment's first story (video embedded above). After Houston Mayor Annise Parker implemented water conservation measures recently, "The Fixer" found city vehicles were getting excessive scrub downs resulting in wasted water. According to the report, the city shut down the problem.

Next "The Fixer" went after Bush Intercontinental Airport where the station says it uncovered potential overcharging of travelers concerning baggage scales.

“NewsFix continues to produce new segments which are pertinent to our viewers,” said NewsFix Executive Producer and Imaginator Gary Jaffe. “Our great investigative team has over 25 years of combined experience in the Houston television market, and putting “The Fixer” into action to will help raise awareness of issues that affect what’s happening around the city. You’ll never know the actual identity of “The Fixer,” although you’ll see his shadow, and always see his results.”

I don't know for a fact who is working in "The Fixer" unit since it is top secret at this point. But after helping get former KTRK 13 Undercover (Wayne Dolcefino) photographer David DeFranchi hired at KIAH 39, I have to imagine he is involved. It would be crime if he wasn't.

VOTE FOR MIKEMCGUFF.COM: Want more Houston media posts? Help this blog win CBS Houston's Most Valuable Blogger Awards 2011 CLICK HERE (you can vote everyday) | Also, you can write me in for the Houston Press' Best of Houston 2011. Go to the end of the list and enter "Best Blogger Mike McGuff" in the "102. Category We Forgot" field.

NewsFix expands to 10pm show on CW39

KIAH-TV launches NewsFix at 10 beginning September 14th

KIAH-TV is pleased to announce the launch of a 10pm newscast weeknights beginning Monday, September 14th. NewsFix at 10 will feature edgy and opinionated editorial, along with unique franchises that consumers can’t get anywhere else.

“We understand the independent streak of Houstonians and reflect those beliefs by offering a contemporary, highly produced newscast that’s clearly different from our very traditional competitors,” said Roger Bare, VP/GM of KIAH-TV. “The new, expanded half-hour at 10 will bring Houstonians important information they need before going to bed. We’re excited to go head-to-head with others in an already competitive time period.”

“We bring real world commentary and authenticity to the events and topics that matter to our neighbors,” said Gary Jaffe, Director of News and Content. “NewsFix presents news in an entertaining and fun way while never failing to inform and empower our consumers…we talk to them as they would each other.”

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by CW 39 KIAH NewsFix)