KFOR

[scottk]

If you missed it last night, here is a look at some of the new graphics/branding and studio set.

[Bellaboo]

Surprised they don't have the new BOK building in their skyline shot.

[riflesforwatie]

In general: I really like the new set and the new graphics package. The set is excellent: much better than News9's, and a huge improvement over the old set. My initial impression is I like the set better than some of the national network sets.

I also really like the graphics package. They have some work to do on getting everything to look consistent (i.e. the weather graphics are the old stuff partially grafted onto the new theme), but they'll get there, and the design language they've chosen is really nice.

On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the rebranding as "Oklahoma's News 4". Too similar to News9. I think they would've been better served to stick with "NewsChannel 4". They didn't feel the need to rebrand 4 WARN Storm Team, so IMO rebranding the news operation wasn't really necessary. But, hey, maybe research showed that's what the people want.

I'm also not a fan of the new music they went to. It's too generic. The old KFOR music package was cool, one of the few custom music packages out there, especially for a market the size of OKC. It was also ancient. Despite various remixes, it dated back to the mid '90s or so.

Edited to add: one weird thing - the sizing/camera placement on the chroma key set for weather is weird. It could just be growing pains but I generally prefer configurations where you don't see the entire body of the on-air talent in front of the green screen. I know that style is becoming more popular but I'm not a fan. Keep the talent's head below the graphic header!

[dcsooner]

Like

[Questor]

Is it a green screen? In the photo it kind of looks like it might be a big LCD/LED display.

[stile99]

I say keep the 'talent' off-screen when it comes to the weather. Mike Morgan is so focused on being on the air that at any given moment, he's blocking some of the information. He stands there blocking half of the viewing area and flips through 3-4 screens, then when it comes time for the 7 day he steps out of frame for like three seconds. Thank TiVo for the pause button so I can actually see the dang thing, but that doesn't help when he's blocking half the radar.

[5alive]

I agree with a lot of what riflesforwatie had to say. Most modern news sets these days use large video walls for all kinds of things. With the new KFOR set, the new KOCO set debuting in probably a week or less, the KWTV set is looking dark and dated. Looks like the "4" is the reverse of the "9"...using almost the same hue of red. And really... picking up on "news 9" KFOR went with "news 4". Same with the weather...on 9 we see most of David Payne and now on 4 we get to see most of Mike Morgan lol. Curious now to see what KOCO and Hearst come up with...wouldn't surprise me if 9 comes out with a new set in about a year or upgrade to a large video wall.

[bchris02]

I do like the new set. I definitely think it has a "larger market" look to it than the old set. I agree that 9 is going to be behind after this update and KOCO's update.

This is just me, but I would like to see at least one of the news stations relocate downtown, perhaps to Bricktown. It's probably never going to happen, but it could be beneficial, much like DOK's move downtown.

[Pete]

KFOR TV moves into new media center

The following is a press release provided by KFOR:

KFOR TV MOVES INTO NEW, STATE OF THE ART NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS MEDIA CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY

August 21, 2017 Oklahoma City, OK KFOR-TV, the first television station to sign on the air in Oklahoma (on June 6, 1949, as WKY-TV) creates history again. KFOR-TV relaunched as “Oklahoma’s News 4”, with a high-tech news set, new on-air graphics and music package. “Oklahoma’s News 4”, moved into a state of the art media center designed to withstand Oklahoma’s toughest weather.

"We are so proud our new media center was designed and built by Oklahomans who poured their hearts and souls into the construction," said Wes Milbourn, President and General Manager of KFOR-TV and KAUT- TV.

The new facility was constructed based on a plan that encourages open collaboration between each department, allowing the KFOR staff to work and communicate more efficiently. The open environment improves work-flow between teams of reporters, photographers, producers and directors.

"This design enables us to serve Oklahomans with breakthrough technology. Whether we’re reporting the news or tracking deadly storms, we will now be working in the most technologically advanced broadcast studio, weather center and newsroom in the state, perhaps the nation,” said Natalie Hughes, News Director of KFOR-TV and KAUT-TV.

The 4 Warn Storm Center has been completely redesigned, enhanced and upgraded from top to bottom. “We’ve been working on this for years,” said Hughes. “Our weather team is grateful for the time, effort and financial backing that went into making sure they had the most effective technology to protect Oklahoma families.”

The state-of-the-art building also features protective glass designed to stop a two by four and other debris during severe storms. The thick walls of concrete and steel reinforcing are designed to be tornado resistant during Oklahoma’s toughest weather.

“We are asking KFOR employees to leave their families, come to work and help protect the public on the worst weather days,” said Hank Hundemer, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Tribune Media. “It was imperative that we provide our employees with peace of mind and safety while they are here, working to protect other Oklahomans.”

KFOR TV has been a groundbreaking station since it signed on the air in 1949 (as WKY-TV) and was the first station in the country to broadcast a station-issued tornado warning over the air in September of 1954. The U.S. government used to prohibit on air tornado warnings for fear it would spark widespread panic. The reality is, KFOR-TV has been warning Oklahomans of severe weather and saving lives throughout its history.

The brand new studio, weather center and news set was unveiled Saturday, August 19, for the 10:00pm newscast. The graphics were designed by the Tribune Media Creative Services Team and the new news music and theme was produced by the award winning team at Stephen Arnold Music. The KFOR newsroom provides the backdrop to the main studio.

Several conference rooms in the building pay homage to the history of Channel 4 and the incredible people who made it a legendary station. Among those spaces is the Barry Huddle Room in honor of the late sports broadcasting duo, Bob Barry and his son, (BBJ) Bob Barry, Jr.

“Oklahoma’s News 4” produces 11 newscasts every weekday, and KFOR-TV is one of the strongest NBC affiliates in the country. KFOR.com and KFOR’s social media presence are dominant in the Oklahoma City area as well. “We are building for the future and we will continue to lead the way on all communication platforms in our fast changing world,” added General Manager Wes Milbourn.

[Brett]

KFOR dropped the ball Monday morning. No morning news at 4:00am, 4:30, and 5:00am. KOCO and KWTV have never had this issue.

[SoonerDave]

I guess I'm the contrarian here, as I don't find the new set that compelling. I guess, ultimately, the content should triumph, but the set strikes me as one with lots of kitsch, plexiglass, and clever lighting. I just hope some actual news comes out of it.

[rezman]

^^^ You're not alone. I took a look just to see what all the fuss was about. It's pretty busy looking.

I equate it to painting a car in hopes of making it run better.

[Urbanized]

This is not a comment for or against the set design, but it is clearly a brand new car rather than a paint job. There is more changed behind the camera than in front of it. Anyone who has ever had business at that station or who has appeared on camera there knows how tired the facility was. Hopefully the new station facility and technology results in improved news gathering and delivery, which I personally care about a lot more than I care about the color scheme or whether or not they used too much plexiglass.

[Zuplar]

Looks good. Overall I tend to watch channel 4. I like most the people on there, just wish they'd get rid of Mike Morgan. Just not a fan. My personal preference would be for him to go and have Emily step up as head meteorologist. I really have a feeling that's their long term plan. He's the main reason I never commit to them for the entire newscast.

[SoonerDave]

Looks good. Overall I tend to watch channel 4. I like most the people on there, just wish they'd get rid of Mike Morgan. Just not a fan. My personal preference would be for him to go and have Emily step up as head meteorologist. I really have a feeling that's their long term plan. He's the main reason I never commit to them for the entire newscast.

Yeah a set may get my interest just for a curiosity but it isn't going to change my opinion unless the content behind the set changes. Frankly, I haven't seen much hard news content locally in years, which is sad, because we used to have some really good investigative journalists on local news staffs. The sugary stuff they put out today just leaves me kinda cold.

[jn1780]

Looks good. Overall I tend to watch channel 4. I like most the people on there, just wish they'd get rid of Mike Morgan. Just not a fan. My personal preference would be for him to go and have Emily step up as head meteorologist. I really have a feeling that's their long term plan. He's the main reason I never commit to them for the entire newscast.

I don't think it's their long term plan. Mike Morgan is still a rating generator for them and I'm sure their fully aware that there is a good chance she would leave if another station offered her a head position.

[stile99]

Frankly, I haven't seen much hard news content locally in years

You know, I'm glad someone else has noticed that. I thought I was just getting grumpy (-ier) but it seems like they (all the local stations, not just KFOR) really love throwing out that old saw about "all local, all the time" right before cutting to a story about how someone in Montana dropped their car keys down a storm drain and half the town showed up to help. Maybe that was a big news item in that town, but I'm just sitting here in the middle of Oklahoma thinking "who the hell cares?". They sure got a lot of traction with that engagement ring on a carrot story, and that was in Canada. These would be fluff pieces if they happened across the street, let alone a different country.

On the other hand, let's be honest, the local news is just depressing. They're throwing in the carrot stories because otherwise they would have to report how much it's going to cost per day for the special session, or how teachers can get more money flipping Papa John's signs on the side of the road.

[BG918]

I would be interested in seeing the numbers of people in their 20's and 30's that still watch local TV news. I bet it's pretty low which doesn't bode well for the future of stations like KFOR. I'm in my early 30's and haven't watched it in years but I do follow some local stations on social media.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^
Blame the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It also bears significant responsibility for our current polarized political climate.

[Pete]

I would be interested in seeing the numbers of people in their 20's and 30's that still watch local TV news. I bet it's pretty low which doesn't bode well for the future of stations like KFOR. I'm in my early 30's and haven't watched it in years but I do follow some local stations on social media.

The demographics that watch TV for any sort of news run quite older.

Median age for CNN is 61 (which is on the 'younger' end) and Fox News is 68. I would think for local news the numbers are similar or even older.

For print newspapers, it's much worse. Only 20% of U.S. adults get their news from a paper and I would think that even among that dwindling number, very few are under 50.

[bchris02]

I would be interested in seeing the numbers of people in their 20's and 30's that still watch local TV news. I bet it's pretty low which doesn't bode well for the future of stations like KFOR. I'm in my early 30's and haven't watched it in years but I do follow some local stations on social media.

I still watch the local news during severe weather season but for the most part, I just check KFOR.com. I hope they redesign their website soon as part of this rebranding because the current site really isn't very good. I think cable news stations like CNN and Fox News are in greater danger due to the fact more and more people are deciding cable isn't worth it.

[Zuplar]

I would be interested in seeing the numbers of people in their 20's and 30's that still watch local TV news. I bet it's pretty low which doesn't bode well for the future of stations like KFOR. I'm in my early 30's and haven't watched it in years but I do follow some local stations on social media.

I'd agree with that. I'm in my thirties, and do watch the local news, on a fairly regular basis, and I know I'm in the minority.

[dankrutka]

I was at my in-laws house and they had the local news on... I don't think I've watched the local news myself in the last decade. I probably haven't watched live TV since the NBA season ended. I do subscribe to and visit several newspaper sites online though. I'm in my mid-30s, but it's crazy how quick my viewing habits have changed.

[Pete]

Anything static -- like a newscast at a pre-determined time with pre-determined stories and to a much greater extent, the newspaper -- is by definition old news.

It's things that have already happened, sometimes days ago.

People generally want to know what is happening now and have various news feeds to provide real-time info.


The only real value to traditional media is investigation and features and interestingly, they do less and less of that sort of thing, at least locally.

[Zuplar]

Yeah I get a ton of my breaking news from Twitter. Just got to be careful what the source is.