Buckley blog: Breaking News in the House that Hal Built
4:35 AM June 6, 2008
On Thursday, we covered a major structure fire in downtown Los Angeles as a "breaking news" story from the time the building was fully ablaze until some three hours after the fire was officially knocked down.
We had Ginger Chan in the KTLA Telecopter and Rachel Calderon and Eric Spillman on the ground bringing us different angles on the story. We had Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, an MTA representative, a deputy mayor for homeland security and publilc safety, fire officials and others on the phone providing us with insight and additional details.
Other stories we planned to tell you during the Morning News were "killed" (as we say in the newsroom) to make room for the coverage. Most of the Morning News staff dropped whatever they were doing to focus on our "breaking news" story. Yes, we covered the weather and traffic and we eventually got back to our normal "fun" with the gang. But I think anyone who watched our coverage would say it was at the very least...extensive.
In the wake of our coverage, there are a few questions we're asking ourselves and there are questions you may be asking of us like: When is "breaking news" no longer breaking? Did the story warrant that level of coverage? Were we a bit over-the-top with the coverage of that one story?
Some of you certainly think we overdid it (based on your emails and comments), and to some extent I think some of us who work on the broadcast might agree with you. With all that was going on in the world on Thursday, with all of the issues we're facing as a region, did we have to focus so much on this one particular story?
Of course not. But I wanted you to know why we spent so much time on Thursday's breaking news story and why we've spent considerably more time than we used to on other breaking news stories recently like the brush fire near Gilroy and the crane collapse in New York.
Our new bosses have been having some pretty serious discussions with us about our mission as a news department and about our goals for our broadcasts. One thing we've all agreed upon is you could always count on KTLA for superb breaking news coverage and that we need to get back to that.
KTLA is the House Hal Fishman Built, the House Stan Chambers Built, the house built on hard news, breaking news, and what old-schoolers like me used to simply call: the news. But over the years, KTLA drifted away from the station's great legacy of breaking news coverage. Some days we were great. Other days, not so much. That's something we hope to change.
We're going back to the basics, going back to our roots, and as we feel our way back, it may on some days, feel like we're overdoing it. Maybe Thursday was one of those days for you. If so, we apologize. But I just wanted you know where it's coming from.
We're trying to get back to that place in which news trumps everything else on KTLA. If it's breaking news, we intend to do it right--the way KTLA used to do it. We want to be the station you'll always be able to count on for breaking news, for hard news, for the news.
That's not to say we won't have fun every morning. Those of you who've been watching since the beginning know better than I do that the wackiness that happens every morning is just as important to this show as the news, weather and traffic. We promise to put a smile on your face before you head out the door.
I hope you'll be patient with us and I hope you'll stay tuned in to us as we work our way through it. Know that our hearts are in the right place. We care about you and the relationship we have with you, we care deeply about our communities, we care about the news. We're going to keep working at it to get it just right.
As you know by now, those of us who bring you the news do read your comments and we do care how you feel about our program. Keep your comments coming, good, bad or indifferent. And as always, thanks. Thanks for caring enough to tell us what you think, and thanks for spending some of your valuable time with us every day.
Posted by Frank Buckley | Permalink | Comments (70)
Previous Entry
Frank, you did it again. Thank you for another very informative blog. You are a true liaison man. You keep the bridge open between what's going on over at KTLA Morning News and we, the viewers. I really appreciate that and I am sure most other bloggers here do, too.
I have to admit that I was bored stiff with the ongoing "breaking news" about the teachers' protest in LA. and agree with almost everyone else here on this blog that it was completely overblown. Just as the downtown fire was yesterday morning. But I do feel things are slowing getting back to the way they were prior to March 17th. I don't think the fire and today's protest were exactly earth-shattering news and should have been reported in a less intensive fashion. And, as much and all as I miss the dearly beloved Hal, he was a bit gung-ho on pursuing freeway chases, which often took up an entire newscast. But, having said that, I am happy to see the PTB are recognizing his journalistic integrity. I believe you and Michaela are endeavoring to keep up that integrity. Keep up the good work, both of you.
Posted by: Maria | June 06, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Oops, "slowly", not "slowing"!
Posted by: Maria | June 06, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Frank - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blogs. It's obvious that you not only read the comments, but that you HEAR us and care about our opinion of the morning show. Now, about this blog. I agree with the majority of comments already left here. I think Paul and Monica summed it up best for me. I especially liked Monica's closing statement, "We need it to be longer than a sound-bite, but shorter than War and Peace," concerning the breaking news coverage. And Paul's entire comment sums up my feelings on the changes that have been made since March 17. How hard is it to put things back the way they were?
Posted by: Donette in La Mirada | June 06, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Just rename the Water cooler buzz as the Water cooler barf.
Posted by: Rick | June 06, 2008 at 11:14 PM
It almost seems like the new bosses don't want to leave scene of "breaking" news in case somethings tragic happens. Hovering around and around and ......
Posted by: Raquel | June 07, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Hadda' think about this one, Frank. Stick with local coverage as long as your news staff deems necessary. If I want national or world news I can tune to CNN, Headline News or MSNBC.
We're lovin' the Stay-cations and On-One-Tank-of-Gas stories.
Recent favorites: Elizabeth at Mogul Furniture (did she get a date with that guy?); Aunt Gayle's Marmol Radziner Pre-fab Home Installation; Bill Smith in our favorite pie town, Julian, CA; and Eric and Mark's coverage of the Americana at Brand mall (did you get your banana drink?). Lots of local flavors and textures.
Posted by: jozielee | June 07, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Old man, love how you keep in tune with us as stated by many others. Myself, I watched the fire coverage but when you call it "breaking News" for a 2nd time, it really isn't breaking news. I turned the channel to CNN, Fox and finally settled for The Colbert Report. Sometimes, I feel, you take Gayle away from us too soon. But of course I'll be there for the next business day.
Posted by: George the Rat | June 07, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Hey, George. Nice to see you. Question: Don't other stations call the latest story "breaking news" for people who tune in later in the broadcast? CNN comes to mind.
Posted by: jozielee | June 07, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Frank,
Thanks for the honesty in your comments and solicitation of viewer comments. Yes, the coverage of the fire was way too much. I do think at one time KTLA was the local leader in live breaking news but some producer must know when enough is enough. A fire that is not burning and not threatening anyone is not worth 2+ hours of news coverage. The comments on the Universal fire were right on. Where was KTLA that morning? I truly think you read the comments posted but I don't think the News Director does and that is why we get overboard coverage of non news. Thanks to you Frank and keep up your fine work.
Posted by: Ron | June 08, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Frank,
Thanks for the honesty in your comments and solicitation of viewer comments. Yes, the coverage of the fire was way too much. I do think at one time KTLA was the local leader in live breaking news but some producer must know when enough is enough. A fire that is not burning and not threatening anyone is not worth 2+ hours of news coverage. The comments on the Universal fire were right on. Where was KTLA that morning? I truly think you read the comments posted but I don't think the News Director does and that is why we get overboard coverage of non news. Thanks to you Frank and keep up your fine work.
Posted by: Ron | June 08, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Frank -
Thank You!
Thank you for reaching out to the viewers, and thank you for explaining (albeit limited) reasons as to what is going on at KTLA.
It had been posted above that their must be a "happy medium" (couln't agree more!), between giving viewers what they want and airing a daily show that needs to be informative yet fun while trying to maintain the station's objectives.
True, you cannot satisfy All the viewers all the time, but in many cases there seems to be a general theme/consensus among the posters.
In reference to the question about when is there too much focus on a breaking story? Simply stated numerous times by several people: "when no new information is provided, in which case brief updates" would suffice.
I remember way back when a "Breaking News" story was Major Earth-shattering news! It now seems that every newscast has at least one Breaking news story in its newscast. Sure, you want to get the viewers attention with a flashy headline accompanied by breaking news music, but at a certain point enough is enough.
I for one, feel that Frank is the link that is reaching out to us viewers and in time, requested changes will take place that will satisfy most of us. I believe the attempt to constantly improve will translate into an upswing in viewers from the previous months. At least it seems that dialogue has started and that in itself is an improvement.
Again, Frank another great blog.
-m
Posted by: mike | June 08, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Jozielee, Yeah other stations do it too and that's when I turn to one of my best friends...my remote control. But since people are constantly tuning in at different moments are you suggesting they keep saying "Breaking News." Why not just hire a parrot and put him on Frank's, Michaela's or Cher's back?
Posted by: George the Rat | June 08, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Oops, I meant shoulder.
Posted by: George the Rat | June 08, 2008 at 04:48 PM
George: The KTLA Morning News team pirating the news? What a visual.
In all seriousness, I guess it depends on how the term Breaking News is interpreted by the viewer.
If I'm just tuning in at 8am and they've been covering a major story since 5am it's new news to me. When I hear "Breaking News" my mind interprets the story to be important, relevant information I need to pay particular attention to.
Take the recent garment district fire. Anyone who worked, lived or drove past that area needed to know if their lives would be impacted by firefighters who needed the public to stay away. If that story was covered like any other news those folks might have wandered needlessly into harm's way.
Just sayin' . . .
Posted by: jozielee | June 09, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Jozielee, I agee!
Posted by: George the Rat | June 09, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Frank,
When you sit in these meetings with your new bosses, could you please remind them that there are people in Orange County that watch the KTLA news. It would be really nice to see Orange County news stories. Most days we only hear about the traffic, and the weather on the Orange County beaches.
In regards to "Breaking News", a few minutes every half or quarter hour would be sufficient.
Posted by: Julie | June 10, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Julie, is there breaking news in Orange County every half an hour?
Posted by: LaToya | June 10, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Maybe they should change their name to KTOC.
Posted by: LaToya | June 10, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I love the KTLA Morning News. I did think that constant coverage on that garment district fire was a bit too repetitive. But when you add in Hal and Stan, and KTLA being the house they built, then I'm OK with it. I think it would be better to bounce back and forth just a tad.
But just know this: You are still the best local news in L.A. At least from this native So Cal girl.
Posted by: Suzi | June 10, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Frank
Good blog man. Remember you from KCAL in the 90's, think you're great.
Can you get a message to the people in charge of the skits, No More Shirtless Dudes.
Posted by: R.B. | June 10, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Hey R.B. How about just NO MORE SKITS - PERIOD! Those today were embarrassing. Why is it Sam is the only friggin' person just laughing his head off? Buy a clue SAM - THEY'RE NOT FUNNY!
Posted by: Jason | June 10, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Jason
You're right it was embarrassing but I do confess there are some skits of theres on youtube that I have laughed at.
Lucas the Intern looks like someone who should be doing beer commercials.
Posted by: R.B. | June 10, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Frank, it is with great sadness that I bid you "Goodbye". I wanted to try to hold out until next week to make it a full 13 week try at the Morning Show. I gave up 5 - 7 AM when they dropped Eric. I gave up the 9 AM show when they changed and came back when they promised us changes, only to find there wasn't enough of a change. But now I can't even hold out any longer with the 7 - 9 AM show. The lame skits yesterday, Jessica today in for Sam while on vacation - I CAN'T DO IT. It's not worth it to me, there are far more important things in life than KTLA in the morning. Frank, you were truly the only reason I kept tuned to the 7 - 9 AM show, but buddy, I can't even tolerate it for 2 hours. Sorry. So long Old Man Buckley and fellow bloggers too. They've lost me for good!
Posted by: Dan | June 11, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Dan, I don't blame you one bit. Our entire family quit watching KTLA all together when the new producers were as bad at judgement calls as the old ones They don't care what the majority of the viewers want or beg for. They only do what they want. Our family only watches channel 5 from 7 - 8 pm for "Two and a Half Men". That's the only time our tv is tuned to KTLA now.
Dan, know that our family feels the same as you and yours do. We've quit watching too!
Posted by: Gloria | June 11, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Frank,
I too thought the coverage of that fire downtown was "over the top" ... we want the facts: when it started, how it's being extinguished, were there any injuries or worse, what is the significance of the building and how is traffic affected. Get on with the rest of the show and go back if later to give an up-date or more, if warrented.
Too much time was spent on speculation!!!! I hate that, especially when those speculating don't know the facts!! I love Michaela but she does tend to overstate and babble ...
I don't like the woman who replaced Eric in the early show ... her teeth are blinding for one thing ... will someone give her a hint !! Please bring Eric back with Cher. Perhaps switch Eric with Gail and Bill Smith each week, that way they can still do their field reports!!
Loyally yours,
Pat
Pat
Posted by: Pat | June 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM