tvrundown.com 2009 Table Of Contents Television News Rundown

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Reporting on Local Television News Since 1981


Television News 2009 Table of Contents

1. Survive Economically, And Re-Invent the Business
Analysis from Frank N. Magid Associates. Re-engineer your newsroom. Align your resources with the areas where your advertisers see value and your viewers feel they are well-served. Adjust your staffing to increase efficiency. Stations that cut to save money often work just as inefficiently afterwards.

2. Re-Engineering is the Business Imperative: Change is the New Normal
The strategists at Audience Research & Development advised making fundamental changes. This was more than laying off five percent of the staff and converting to one-man bands. This is not time for a "ride it out" approach.

3. 2009: Understand the Evolving Anytime, Anywhere Customer
Analysis from The Broadcast Image Group. You must be anywhere the viewers want news when they want it. They are in control. Involve your customers in a conversation. Produce content with unique elements across all platforms.

4. Deliver Practical Consumer Information With a Hard Edge
Everyone is looking to survive during these hard economic times, and your high profile consumer specialists and investigative reporters have a vital role. They are the ones who can be watchdogs, problem-solvers and the source of expert information for your viewers.

5. Help Viewers With the Basics: The Real Deals, Coupon Secrets
In the tight economy, information from consumer specialists has real value for viewers. People want specific, practical information to help them right now.

6. Group Aims To Be Viewer Choice For Economic Information
A yearlong viewer economic survival project was launched by Hearst- Argyle. Content was wide-ranging and practical. This series addressed money-saving tips, job-seekers' paths to employment and local businesses' struggles to weather the recession.

7. Take Charge Thursday: Help Viewers Take Control
Real world economic advice was offered at WNDU-TV, South Bend.

8. Two Years Into Newsroom Of Future: How They've Done It
The Gannett stations made an early start. Changes were explained by Patti Dennis, Vice President, News, KUSA-TV, Denver.

9. Challenge Your Staff To Be Active Participants In Change
Every station is at a different stage when it comes to re-engineering its news operation. News managers in several markets explained how they are working on the transition with their staffs.

10. Repetition Is The Top Reason Viewers Watch Less Local News
Eliminating repetition must be a priority as stations re-invent themselves. Post-Newsweek Stations have successful strategies that could be implemented in your newsroom right now --- without spending more money.

11. Station Wins Court Fight For Mayor's E-Mails, Calendar
A public records fight was won by WWL-TV, New Orleans. The station sued to get access to the e-mails and calendar of the mayor.

12. No Ambulances, Where Were They?
If you are travelling through Denver's airport, and you need an ambulance quickly, you could be out of luck. A huge emergency response gap was revealed by KMGH-TV.

13. Some Nonprofit CEO Salaries Appear Excessive During Economic Crisis
The executives that run some of the biggest nonprofit agencies in Charlotte are facing more scrutiny than ever. WSOC-TV investigated. WHAS-TV found there were major questions about what happened to the money donated to people asking for funds for homeless children in Louisville.

14. Schools In Crisis: No Room For Waste
Everyone is feeling the pinch --- from family budgets to businesses to local and state governments. Public education is often hit particularly hard in a recession.
Teacher layoffs, budget cuts, tax increases were examined in depth by KPNX-TV, Phoenix.
School systems' expensive diesel fuel contracts were discussed by WPXI-TV, Pittsburgh.
In St. Louis, KSDK-TV found schools overcharged for their office supplies.
Too many free lunches? WFTS-TV, Tampa, discovered not all of the children receiving low cost or free breakfasts and lunches meet the criteria for the federally subsidized meals.

15. Persistent Investigations Win Peabody Awards
Children were starved, beaten, abused and murdered by their adult caregivers --- sometimes when authorities had already been called in and caseworkers were supposed to be monitoring their situations. This was broken by KMGH-TV, Denver.
WWL-TV, New Orleans, exposed a non-profit agency that was intended to help poor and elderly victims of Hurricane Katrina.
KLAS-TV produced a meticulous examination of a plan to pipe massive amounts of water from rural Nevada to booming Las Vegas and the potential consequences for ranchers, farmers, Native Americans and the environment.

16. Help Viewers Protect Their Money
If people understand potential scams and their own rights, they may avoid major financial losses. Investigative teams produced reports explaining dangers.

17. Help Viewers Save And Protect Their Homes
Several stories related to the economic downturn and housing problems that could be happening in most markets.

18. Covering A Medical Threat: Swine Flu, SARS, West Nile
Here were three views of covering infectious diseases to help with your planning for your continuing coverage.

19. Highway Hazards And Commuting Survival
Traffic headaches and dangers --- in the city and the suburbs --- are daily problems for many of your viewers. From speeding tickets to crazed drivers, there is a lot to contend with out on the highways. Several stations produced projects on these issues.

20. Help Your Anchors Become Your Chief Journalists
The TV news anchors of today must transition to the role of chief journalist, if they --- and your newscasts --- are to remain successful in the future. That's the opinion of the consultants at AR&D, and a major premise of their new book, "Live. Local. Broken News. The Re-Engineering of Local TV."

21. The State Of Your Money: Hold Government Accountable
State workers and pols were sitting on expensive chairs in Indianapolis. The WTHR-TV investigative unit reporting on state agencies spending tax dollars drew a big response.

22: Investigations: Fires, Explosions, Toxic Threats
Salvage yards leaking toxic substances were found by WBNS-TV, Columbus.
When trucks with diesel engines are left running, flammable vapors in an area can ignite causing a catastrophic explosion. KHOU-TV, Houston, reported.
Natural gas suppliers should have strict guidelines on when people are ordered out of a leak area, but WABC-TV, New York revealed there was no evacuation policy there.
In Cleveland, WEWS-TV showed how ovens that were turned off, and not being used, had mysteriously caught fire.

23. Summertime Hazards
Summer days of fun and relaxation can be spoiled when people aren't prepared for threats and emergencies.

24. Airline Risks: Luggage Thefts, Unqualified Mechanics, Harried Controllers
Whistleblowers are warning of serious safety issues at some of the country's busiest airports. WABC-TV, New York, had the story.
TSA security rules require luggage to be left unlocked, and WFOR-TV Miami found suitcases are routinely ransacked at some airports.
In Dallas, WFAA-TV reported that some testing centers that license aircraft mechanics are little more than diploma mills, in which mechanics are improperly tested.

25. Target Key Areas To Focus On
Managing the change from the traditional newsroom to the multi- platform newsroom in an age with far fewer resources continues to be the main challenge facing news managers. Tom Dolan, President of Dolan Media Management, specializes in building and training management teams. He offered techniques that managers could implement to build stronger newsrooms.

26. & 27. Investigative Reporting Can Strengthen And Differentiate Your Daily Product
One of your biggest assets for surviving the downturn can be found in your investigative unit.

28. Effective Research Alternatives: Stop Flying Blind
At a time when consumer habits are changing rapidly, the consultants at Crawford Johnson & Northcott say you must know exactly what's going on with your audience.

29. Local investigations: Foreclosure Woes, Summer Dangers, Expensive Obscure Studies
Foreclosures are plaguing many communities, and creating new problems. KUSA-TV, Denver.
Carnivals, fairs and pools are many. Investigators are few. Rides are seldom checked. WISH-TV, Indianapolis.
Tax dollars may be funding research studies of questionable value. WSOC-TV, Charlotte.

30. Used Car Buyers Beware Of Incomplete Vehicle History Reports
An excellent consumer warning. Investigators at WAGA-TV, Atlanta, discovered that as good as CARFAX is, it doesn't always have all the information --- and some unscrupulous car dealers are using that.

31. Examine State Pension Funds: Investment Strategies, Travel Expenses
Outrageous travel expenses incurred by the state's pension fund employees were exposed by WTHR-TV, Indianapolis. Other public employee retirement fund managers spent far less in out-of-state travel than Indiana's managers did.

32. Viewers Want To Know Where The Billions Are Going
The federal government is spending a massive number of taxpayers' dollars to hopefully stimulate the depressed economy. In Miami, WFOR-TV is tracking whether it is having a positive impact and creating jobs?

33. & 34. Education: Help Parents With Practical Advice and Investigations
At a time when every child is supposed to have an equal opportunity for a thorough and efficient education, there are places where youngsters are cheated. Many stations have produced expanded pieces and projects offering advice to parents so they can help their youngsters succeed.

35. Healthcare Dangers: Hospital Pharmacies, Drug-Addicted Nurses
A hospital pharmacy's filthy floors, dirty countertops, and dilapidated cabinets were shown by WTVD-TV, Durham.
Healthcare workers charged with stealing drugs from the hospitals where they worked were examined by KUSA-TV, Denver.

36. Expanded Project Helps Viewers By Clarifying Healthcare Issues
The healthcare debate disintegrated into a series of angry shouting matches. WFOR-TV, Miami to cut through the noise and gave viewers real information.

37. Government Officials Yield Outrageous, Interesting Stories
Money, sex and organized crime. Through perseverance and creativity, several news teams prevailed.

38. Some Insurance Companies Are Cheating Their Customers
Property owners battled their insurance companies over wind damage claims for months after Hurricane Ike. Some insurers were involved in deceptive, outrageous practices that were exposed by KHOU- TV, Houston.

39. Woman Writes To Reporter, Kills Disabled Daughter And Self
An envelope marked "urgent" arrived in the mail at KGO-TV, San Francisco. A sensitive investigation revealed a tragedy when healthcare was unable to resolve a painful, frustrating situation.

40. Bridges Decay, Inspectors Stymied
In Denver, KMGH-TV discovered hundreds --- possibly thousands --- of bridges deteriorating because of wooden forms that were left inside after construction.

41. Highway Survival: Automotive Hazards Exposed
Investigators at WTVD-TV, Durham, and WSMV-TV, Nashville, pursued the automakers and pressed government agencies to act on the threats.

42. Maximize Evolving Media Opportunities: Upgrade Your Strategy Now
Advice on how to succeed with the quickly changing technology was offered by Broadcast Image Group President Larry Rickel.

43. & 44. Food Safety Hazards: Eat And Drink At Your Own Risk
Food-borne illnesses are often serious, sometimes fatal. News investigators have exposed sellers intent on making a profit offering spoiled food or handling food in an unsanitary manner.

45. Special Showcases Hard-Hitting, Local Investigations
In Miami, WFOR-TV pre-empted a Sunday night newscast to run a special that featured three investigations of high interest topics.

46. Students Assaulted: Blunt Force Trauma To Genitals
A growing bullying problem was examined by WTHR-TV, Indianapolis. At schools, young men are being hit hard in their groins. The attackers post video of the assault online.

47. Healthcare Investigations: Medical Marijuana, Nurses With Records
In Denver, KUSA-TV went undercover and found it was easy to get prescriptions for medical marijuana.
In Tampa, WFTS-TV discovered licenses easily reinstated for felon nurses.

48. College Administrators Spend and Spend, Travel and Travel
Amid big cuts at community colleges, one chancellor and her assistant were roaming the world. The wasteful spending was revealed by KGO-TV, San Francisco.

49. Beware Of Fleet Cars Sold Without Standard Safety Equipment
Investigators at WTVD-TV, Durham, discovered that some fleet buyers have been allowed to purchase vehicles without safety equipment that was considered standard on the models purchased.

50. Government Workers: Loafing, Lying, Fired and Re-Hired, Padding the Bill
Track workers loafing. They are paid for 8-hour days fixing the tracks. But no more than half that time is spent doing the public's work. WABC-TV, New York.
Paid to Play. A government supervisor making $94,231.44 spends part of the taxpayers' time working out at a health club every day. WLS-TV, Chicago.
Fired state workers are re-hired. Fearing an arbitrator will overturn personnel decisions, management brings back people who had been fired for good reasons. WBNS-TV, Columbus.
School bus drivers with records. They're behind wheel: people guilty of assaults, speeding, other moving violations and other dangerous practices. WTVD-TV, Durham.
Lawyers for mentally incompetent performing incompetently. KMGH-TV, Denver.