I don’t know about you guys, but I had higher expectations. While I realize the limitations of an out-of-town organization putting the cast together, I also figured this out-of-town operation had flashier graphics, a nicer set (is that skyline photo the SAME one on SuddenLink 4?), and anchors and reporters who’d have been schooled on how to pronounce Natchitoches.
I realize it was day one, but it wasn’t this COMPANY’S “day one” when it comes to producing an outsourced newscast. It was just the first day they’d done it for THIS particular market.
I was somewhat disappointed in the newscast on channel 31. The broadcast made an attempt at providing a personal touch by giving us an impression that the newscast originated in Alexandria. I have wathced moments of other broadcasts but I have not seen anything that would make me change from Channel 5. The saying, “You only get one first impression” may prove detrimental to the newscast.
Local news is meant to be personable, not robotic. While I understand the economics involved with Channel 31, an outsourced newscast may simply be a waste of money. It seems to me that producing the news here, even on a limited scale, may draw more viewers. Whether you outsource overseas or outsource in Iowa, the result is usually the same: poor service.
I personnally would like to have the option to view another local newscast, just to get another perspective. However, the current format by Channel 31, in my opinion, is not an option.
It was even more awful than I thought. I was expecting so much more from news that was outsourced by a larger company. The set, the GFX and even the anchors look like they are out of the 80s. Even the klax website is awful. What is with the red? And the Logo? KLAX needs to stick to being the community station, or take better notes from a REAL news station. Whoever’s idea it was to outsource had to be nuts. Good idea, but the staffers at KLAX are in way over their heads. Even with Babs Zimmerman, it’s just bad.
You have to give it to 31 though, they are -TRYING- to come out of the dark ages. However, with the present owner they have I really doubt that will happen, even with a “flashy 80s” newscast. Frankly I think Ken Nolan, GM of 31, shot himself in the foot when he let the cat out of the bag that the newscast was not local, however, it was kinda funny to see how Godard got in that last punch there in the Town Talk (http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702050307). In closing, it is good that channel 5 now has something (even though it sucks) to compete to with so that the employees at both stations will aspire to be better at their jobs.
It’s been a week and it still S-U-C-K-S. This isn’t local news, this is the most uninformed newscast I have ever seen in my life. Even KPLC in Lake Charles is better than this crap.
Yeah, I don’t quite understand letting it be known that the ‘cast was being done out of town (let ALONE out of state); seems that only distances viewers from any real inclination to watch and digest info from such a broadcast.
With the evolution of broadcast technology since KLAX’s last attempts at local news, you’d think they could still have a local anchor presence in the market and come up with the same level of product. And I’m not saying the package is all that good… I’m just saying, they could do no worse on a local level, either.
I could UNDERSTAND if they had an out-of-market source for weather, maybe using a live shot from Accu-Weather or a Weather Channel affiliation even, but having the entire ‘cast done in Iowa… ehh. They’re not even all that good by Dubuque standards.
What I’d do…
…is hire a local anchor. You only need one; besides, it cuts down on that MIND-numbing fake chatter between stories and after humorous fluff pieces that just has us all rolling our eyes in disdain, anyhow.
…import the weather (see above). It saves production costs and meteorologist salary. Frankly, I think ALL newscasts spend WAY too much time on the weather anyhow. Do I want a meteorology lesson every night at 5, 6 and 10? Uh, no. Tell me if it’ll rain tonight and or tomorrow and how cold or warm it’ll get. And gimme the same info for a few days out, too. And I’d let the forecast roll on a crawl line near the bottom of the screen, too. Those that missed the weather break can STILL get the forecast no matter when they tune in. Same goes for sports scores when the weather guy/girl is doing their segment (if a budget-conscious newscast even HAS a sports segment…if not, just roll the scores or schedules of upcoming local events).
Instead of hiring a camera person AND a reporter, hire a multi-tasker capable of doing both. I realize that means fewer stand-up shots or live shots out and about, I suppose, but that’s a minor detail when putting on an effective and budget-conscious newscast.
Finally, spend a little on a better graphics packaging and video capability. Spend a little here to make the product LOOK better than your competition. Some people choose newscasts like some people choose politicians… by flash, if not substance.
I agree with you on some points. I think they should have had a local anchor and their reporter staff. As far as hiring a “one man band..” those would be hard to come by in this small of a market. Hence why they now have reporters and a photog. As far as weather… That is the top reason why a person watches a news cast, hence why they give weather an ample amount of time (especially KLAX since they have to “fill” with something). If you see a good meteorologist you would not get a weather lesson, just a very good, informative weather segment.
They must have an intern doing the website. It is tacky, even without that annoying music. Whoever is doing it, must be color blind. The picture of Babs Zimmman was touched up a little too much and it looks rediculous.
With weather systems today (esp VIPIR), it can be really COOL to watch weather segments to where the meteorology knows how to use his equipment. Not that channel 5 knows how to use it either, but there is a little more to weather than just spitting out temps. Research shows, weather is the number 1 reason people watch the news, and a lot of times, it’s the ONLY part of the news they watch. I guess it’s facinating to folks. None the less… I think KLAX has a long road ahead on working on this newscast. I’m not in the area, so I have no idea what it looks like, but I have seen the demo, and I was not impressed. I really do feel bad for some of the folks at KLAX for being “misguided” You can’t help people who don’t “want” to be helped though. Which I guess is why I’m in Dallas now. They didn’t want advice from a snot nosed post college grad (who is now managing a newscast in DALLAS, go figure)
It’s a shame. We wonder why our local news has gone to shit. Laurel, the same thing happened to me. Rather than leaving this place that I love, I gave up and got a job doing something else. It’s a shame. I feel rejected by my own hometown for having too much experience. It’s brutal. I’m glad you went to Dallas. Congrats. That is a HUGE accomplishment. I wish I would have had the guts to do that years ago. If you got in to Dallas, you are WAY to good to be at EXLAX anyway. I worked there 2 years back when they had REAL news. I’ve heard it’s a pretty good shit-hole now. Even the Yeager gal is too good to be there.
Wow can you believe it?!?! KLAX has found babs blog! it is no longer 404!! And we can comment on there also! The intern figured out how to use wordpress! Also the new calendar feature! YAY!
What the heck? This is the WORST operation of news ever. I was excited to see another News station, but this isn’t a “news station” The look is like something out of the 80s. Their website is tacky as heck and the “Local News” section just SUCKS!! They don’t update the website and it just looks horrible. I am SO dissapointed. I guess KALB is what we are all stuck with in Cenla.
CenLamar 
its good that they took that music that would automatically play off their website because its annoying. what happened to babs blog? its now 404.
I don’t know about you guys, but I had higher expectations. While I realize the limitations of an out-of-town organization putting the cast together, I also figured this out-of-town operation had flashier graphics, a nicer set (is that skyline photo the SAME one on SuddenLink 4?), and anchors and reporters who’d have been schooled on how to pronounce Natchitoches.
I realize it was day one, but it wasn’t this COMPANY’S “day one” when it comes to producing an outsourced newscast. It was just the first day they’d done it for THIS particular market.
I was somewhat disappointed in the newscast on channel 31. The broadcast made an attempt at providing a personal touch by giving us an impression that the newscast originated in Alexandria. I have wathced moments of other broadcasts but I have not seen anything that would make me change from Channel 5. The saying, “You only get one first impression” may prove detrimental to the newscast.
Local news is meant to be personable, not robotic. While I understand the economics involved with Channel 31, an outsourced newscast may simply be a waste of money. It seems to me that producing the news here, even on a limited scale, may draw more viewers. Whether you outsource overseas or outsource in Iowa, the result is usually the same: poor service.
I personnally would like to have the option to view another local newscast, just to get another perspective. However, the current format by Channel 31, in my opinion, is not an option.
It was even more awful than I thought. I was expecting so much more from news that was outsourced by a larger company. The set, the GFX and even the anchors look like they are out of the 80s. Even the klax website is awful. What is with the red? And the Logo? KLAX needs to stick to being the community station, or take better notes from a REAL news station. Whoever’s idea it was to outsource had to be nuts. Good idea, but the staffers at KLAX are in way over their heads. Even with Babs Zimmerman, it’s just bad.
Maybe they can hire the can kickers for the opening music intro. That would be way cool.
Unbelievably lame. How could anyone think this was going to work?
Does anyone have a newcast up on youtube ? I’m curious to see, and since I’m no longer in Cenla, it’s nearly impossible.
You have to give it to 31 though, they are -TRYING- to come out of the dark ages. However, with the present owner they have I really doubt that will happen, even with a “flashy 80s” newscast. Frankly I think Ken Nolan, GM of 31, shot himself in the foot when he let the cat out of the bag that the newscast was not local, however, it was kinda funny to see how Godard got in that last punch there in the Town Talk (http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702050307). In closing, it is good that channel 5 now has something (even though it sucks) to compete to with so that the employees at both stations will aspire to be better at their jobs.
It’s been a week and it still S-U-C-K-S. This isn’t local news, this is the most uninformed newscast I have ever seen in my life. Even KPLC in Lake Charles is better than this crap.
Yeah, I don’t quite understand letting it be known that the ‘cast was being done out of town (let ALONE out of state); seems that only distances viewers from any real inclination to watch and digest info from such a broadcast.
With the evolution of broadcast technology since KLAX’s last attempts at local news, you’d think they could still have a local anchor presence in the market and come up with the same level of product. And I’m not saying the package is all that good… I’m just saying, they could do no worse on a local level, either.
I could UNDERSTAND if they had an out-of-market source for weather, maybe using a live shot from Accu-Weather or a Weather Channel affiliation even, but having the entire ‘cast done in Iowa… ehh. They’re not even all that good by Dubuque standards.
What I’d do…
…is hire a local anchor. You only need one; besides, it cuts down on that MIND-numbing fake chatter between stories and after humorous fluff pieces that just has us all rolling our eyes in disdain, anyhow.
…import the weather (see above). It saves production costs and meteorologist salary. Frankly, I think ALL newscasts spend WAY too much time on the weather anyhow. Do I want a meteorology lesson every night at 5, 6 and 10? Uh, no. Tell me if it’ll rain tonight and or tomorrow and how cold or warm it’ll get. And gimme the same info for a few days out, too. And I’d let the forecast roll on a crawl line near the bottom of the screen, too. Those that missed the weather break can STILL get the forecast no matter when they tune in. Same goes for sports scores when the weather guy/girl is doing their segment (if a budget-conscious newscast even HAS a sports segment…if not, just roll the scores or schedules of upcoming local events).
Instead of hiring a camera person AND a reporter, hire a multi-tasker capable of doing both. I realize that means fewer stand-up shots or live shots out and about, I suppose, but that’s a minor detail when putting on an effective and budget-conscious newscast.
Finally, spend a little on a better graphics packaging and video capability. Spend a little here to make the product LOOK better than your competition. Some people choose newscasts like some people choose politicians… by flash, if not substance.
Ron,
I agree with you on some points. I think they should have had a local anchor and their reporter staff. As far as hiring a “one man band..” those would be hard to come by in this small of a market. Hence why they now have reporters and a photog. As far as weather… That is the top reason why a person watches a news cast, hence why they give weather an ample amount of time (especially KLAX since they have to “fill” with something). If you see a good meteorologist you would not get a weather lesson, just a very good, informative weather segment.
They must have an intern doing the website. It is tacky, even without that annoying music. Whoever is doing it, must be color blind. The picture of Babs Zimmman was touched up a little too much and it looks rediculous.
The time spent on weather is just baffling to me, then, I guess.
Sunny, high of 75 tomorrow.
How long does that take?
They can’t last long. Last night the weatherman referred to the “counties” around Alexandria.
Well Ron, this is TV not radio 😉
With weather systems today (esp VIPIR), it can be really COOL to watch weather segments to where the meteorology knows how to use his equipment. Not that channel 5 knows how to use it either, but there is a little more to weather than just spitting out temps. Research shows, weather is the number 1 reason people watch the news, and a lot of times, it’s the ONLY part of the news they watch. I guess it’s facinating to folks. None the less… I think KLAX has a long road ahead on working on this newscast. I’m not in the area, so I have no idea what it looks like, but I have seen the demo, and I was not impressed. I really do feel bad for some of the folks at KLAX for being “misguided” You can’t help people who don’t “want” to be helped though. Which I guess is why I’m in Dallas now. They didn’t want advice from a snot nosed post college grad (who is now managing a newscast in DALLAS, go figure)
It’s a shame. We wonder why our local news has gone to shit. Laurel, the same thing happened to me. Rather than leaving this place that I love, I gave up and got a job doing something else. It’s a shame. I feel rejected by my own hometown for having too much experience. It’s brutal. I’m glad you went to Dallas. Congrats. That is a HUGE accomplishment. I wish I would have had the guts to do that years ago. If you got in to Dallas, you are WAY to good to be at EXLAX anyway. I worked there 2 years back when they had REAL news. I’ve heard it’s a pretty good shit-hole now. Even the Yeager gal is too good to be there.
Wow can you believe it?!?! KLAX has found babs blog! it is no longer 404!! And we can comment on there also! The intern figured out how to use wordpress! Also the new calendar feature! YAY!
What the heck? This is the WORST operation of news ever. I was excited to see another News station, but this isn’t a “news station” The look is like something out of the 80s. Their website is tacky as heck and the “Local News” section just SUCKS!! They don’t update the website and it just looks horrible. I am SO dissapointed. I guess KALB is what we are all stuck with in Cenla.