KRDO goes HD for local news
Can’t say that I’m surprised - it was the next natural step in the game of one-upsmanship the local stations have been engaging in with local news. And HD is still cheaper than a helicopter, right?
High def is a double-edged sword, however - it’s good enough to reveal the slightest little flaws with a news set, a story… or your anchor’s hair.
KRDO did a short behind-the-scenes story on the transition here.
Now the question is, who’ll jump next?
UPDATE: A few more details... the studio cameras are HD, but the news cameras are shooting 16X9 standard definition - that's pretty standard in local news, I believe. KRDO says they kept the move under wraps so the other stations couldn't steal their thunder. Although that makes me wonder why they led off with a noon newscast in mid-July. Why not a 10 p.m. in mid-May? They haven't changed the set yet, but they did have to tweak the lighting (HD cameras like less light than standard def cameras) and Jon Karroll has to put makeup on his neck. Really!
posted by AndyW @ 7/23/2008 01:03:00 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Better to do a "soft launch" at noon on a Wednesday in July with no prior promotion just in case it all blows up on-air than promote it two weeks out for a Thursday or Sunday 10 p.m. show in May or November and have it be a spectacular calamity. Saves a lot of potential embarassment. There's a brand new control room and a ton of new equipment involved with the switchover, which means lots of opportunity for disaster. Not dumb either how the announcement wasn't made until after 12:30 when several segments already made it on-air without major incident. The "HD Doppler" branding sorta gave it away though.
Although I haven't seen the new HD broadcast yet I'm going to switch to KRDO from KOAA news because... well, its 2008 and if you're not in HD then you're behind! Congrats on the transition!
What's the cliche about "dressing up a pig?"
Nice to hear ou're going to switch because of HD, instead of a good newscast. You don't vote do you?
This market is known for being behind. KRDO-TV pulled the HDTV off.
Hey KOAA-TV still does not to the seven day weather forcast and still sticks to the five day ordeal. KOAA-TV neverless is the top dog and KRDO doing HD is just water off a duck's back. KOAA can't do no wrong. I disagree with that but as long as the ratings are good...but anyway/
KOAA is not worried...as far as HD goes they will get their.
hey Don...i am not sure i get what you are trying to say. Should KOAA do a 7 day forecast to offset the HD of KRDO? someone said above also that this market is behind in HD ..that is partially true, but only NBC has a network newscast in HD right now(though CBS should start soon) and many major markets are still not in HD. Colorado Springs is probably on par with many smaller to medium markets getting HD on the local newscasts. It is expensive and problematic in the initial stages too..look for some audio problems and focusing problems as KRDO makes the switch
I think what Don is trying to say is that KOAA could basically run bars and tone 24/7 and still win the ratings war. They don't need to have a 7-day forecast, ultra-mega doppler, or high-def to pull in viewers because they have viewer habit on their side. They know people will tune in to see what Rob and Lisa have to say about the day that was. That's why KOAA promotes the people instead of the product or technology. Do most viewers really understand the concept of a SAT truck? Not likely. It likely hasn't helped KOAA any more than KRDO going HD will hurt them. If viewers like their presenters, they won't care about the other stations' fun toys. If someone already doesn't like the presenters on KRDO, they're not going to make the switch to see them in glorious flaw-enhancing detail. There's only one thing or person that's scared KOAA even a little bit in recent years, and that person is now working in Denver so there's no longer a threat. KOAA can lose the technology race by a full generation yet still win the ratings war. That's just the way it is.
well said! (though i still don't understand Don:))...HD is just an inevitable evolution of TV..and you are right about one thing..it can be a tough start for some stations if they don't do it right..KOAA has earned its "trust" with viewers with consistency in both reporting and reporters and with the longevity of good, solid anchoring at all time slots. It will certainly take more than HD to dethrone that goliath!
times..and
The one threat - Kellie MacMullan?
C'mon Zach, you have to make it a little less obvious if you are going to post on here
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