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reporterbob
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Posted: Fri May 23rd, 2008 03:56 am |
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For the second time this year, KRCG-TV (the Jefferson City-based CBS affiliate) has cut-back on its staff.
Here's the cut-and-paste from the announcement posted at 5 p.m. on http://www.krcg.com:
Message To KRCG Viewers
Posted: Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Television stations and companies around the country are facing challenging financial times. This has prompted an across-the-board review of all stations owned by Barrington Broadcasting, including KRCG. The company has made a difficult decision to restructure our operations. KRCG has laid off 4 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees, including our Sports Director, Rod Smith. We have a deep appreciation for Rod's 23 years of service to this station and the Mid-Missouri community. We wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter of his life. Traditional coverage of local sports is changing across our station group and across the country. Despite this change, KRCG viewers can still expect to see a commitment to local sports coverage as part of our newscasts and http://www.krcgonline.com
Please address comments to KRCG General Manager Betsy Farris at bfarris@krcg.com and /or News Director Gregg Palermo at gpalermo@krcg.com
Clicking on the "Our Team" link on KRCG's home page shows ONLY Tony Mullen's bio, but it still was available when "searched" for:
((copied and pasted))
Sports Director
Rod Smith
School: Oral Roberts University
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Rod grew up in suburban Chicago, an avid sports fan as a boy, cheering on losing teams like the Cubs, Bears, and Bulls (Michael changed all that in the 90's). Rod began his television career at KRCG after graduating from college. He began as a weekend weatherman/news reporter and worked into his current role of Sports Director.
He's enjoyed covering high school, college & professional athletics in Missouri. Highlights include the I-70 World Series in his first year at KRCG, bowl trips and NCAA tournament coverage with Mizzou, and the Rams trip to the Super Bowl. He's known most though for "Rod's Big Ol' Fish"!
While he loves sports and cherishes the friendships he's made with players, coaches & fans, Rod's priorities remain with his faith and family. Rod appreciates his many opportunities to speak at various local churches. He's also active in many charities, including DARE, American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society to name a few.
Rod is a dedicated family man. A father of three beautiful daughters, Brittany, Brooke and Paige, he says his best 'catch' came in 1987, when he 'reeled in' his wife, Lana.
Thursday's announcement might have surprised some, who read Barrington's announcement earlier this year at http://www.barringtontv.com:
Barrington Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 25, 2008 Broadcasting Group LLC (“Barrington”) announced today its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
(More...)
Press Releases
Barrington Reports First Quarter Operating Results
May 5, 2008 — Hoffman Estates, IL
Download PDF version
Barrington Broadcasting Group LLC (“Barrington”) announced today its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Highlights are as follows:
Gross revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 2.8% to $31.3 million from $30.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to an increase in political revenues which increased $1.4 million to $1.7 million. Local revenues increased 0.8%, or $0.1 million, to $19.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. National revenues decreased $0.8 million, or 8.5%, to $8.3 million.
Net revenues (gross revenues less agency commissions and other direct costs) for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 2.6% to $26.7 million from $26.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
Operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, not including depreciation and amortization, increased 5.3%, or $1.1 million, to $21.4 million from $20.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 primarily as a result of expenses related to the consent solicitation with respect to Barrington’s 10 ½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 which was completed during the quarter. Beginning in the second quarter of 2008, Barrington has initiated certain operating expense reductions, including a reduction in its workforce of approximately 8%. This reduction is expected to be completed during the second quarter and costs associated with the workforce reduction have not yet been determined and will be reported in the second quarter results.
Broadcast Cash Flow (as defined herein) for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 1.9% to $7.0 million from $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
For more information regarding this financial information and a definition of Broadcast Cash Flow, see the attachments to this press release.
“As a result of weakness in the national economy, we have moved to utilize new technology and operating structures to drive more efficiency at each of our stations. We believe this will result in greater innovation and improved local programming quality, and these efficiency initiatives will allow us to operate with about 8% fewer employees than we have in the past,” said K. James Yager, Chief Executive Officer of Barrington Broadcasting. “Although we've seen progress in our new approach to converting local newspaper and yellow page advertisers to broadcast television, it has not been enough at this point to fully offset the weakness in national advertising and weak categories like automotive."
Tucker Acquisition
On April 1, 2008, Tucker Broadcasting of Traverse City (“Tucker”), an entity not affiliated with Barrington, completed its acquisition of the assets of television stations WGTU and WGTQ in Traverse City, Michigan. In connection with the acquisition, Tucker entered into a shared services agreement and joint sales agreement with Barrington and Barrington provided credit support of $7 million for Tucker’s debt obligations incurred in connection with the financing of the acquisition.
Conference Call
As previously announced, Barrington will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results at 11:00 AM (EDT) on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The dial-in information for the earnings call is as follows: 1-800-366-7640. A telephonic replay of the earnings call will be available beginning on May 6, 2008 at 1:00 PM (EDT) and remain available for 30 days. To access the replay, call 1-800-405-2236 (domestic callers) or 1-303-590-3000 (international callers) and enter access code 11113458#.
During the conference call, representatives of Barrington may discuss and answer one or more questions concerning Barrington's business and financial matters. The responses to these questions, as well as other matters discussed during the call, may contain information that has not been previously disclosed.
Quarterly Report
The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in Barrington’s quarterly report for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 which will be posted on Barrington’s website (http://www.barringtontv.com) on May 13, 2008.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Broadcast Cash Flow, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in the attachments to this press release) are non-GAAP financial measures (i.e., they are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles) and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for consolidated statements of operations and cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Broadcast Cash Flow, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as used herein, are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For definitions of and additional information regarding Broadcast Cash Flow, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see the attachments to this press release.
Broadcast Cash Flow, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures commonly used by financial analysts in evaluating performance of companies, including broadcast companies. Accordingly, Barrington believes that Broadcast Cash Flow, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be useful in assessing Barrington’s operating performance and its ability to meet its debt service requirements. Barrington also believes that these measures allow a standardized comparison between companies in the broadcast industry, while minimizing the differences from depreciation policies, financial leverage and tax strategies.
About Barrington
Barrington was formed in 2003 to acquire and operate television stations in smaller markets across the United States. Barrington currently owns, operates, or supports the operations of twenty three network affiliated television stations. Barrington is owned and controlled by Pilot Group, with management as its partner. Pilot Group is a non-traditional private investment firm founded in 2003 by a group of operating executives who actively help its management partners achieve their goals.
Forward Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include those risks described from time to time in Barrington’s quarterly reports and annual reports which are furnished pursuant to the Indenture dated as of August 11, 2006, by and among Barrington, Barrington Broadcasting Capital Corporation, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as amended, and which are posted on Barrington’s website. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Barrington does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements in this press release or with respect to matters described herein. Barrington’s results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 are subject to the completion of its quarterly report for such period.
For further information contact:
Warren Spector
Chief Financial Officer
Barrington Broadcasting Group LLC
Barrington Broadcasting Capital Corporation
847-884-1877
wspector@barringtontv.com
Barrington Broadcasting is one of the fastest growing media companies in the nation — and one of the fastest growing companies in the Chicagoland area, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
Barrington was founded on the premise that smaller-sized television markets offer superior opportunities to deliver improved financial results, assist our local advertisers to meaningful business improvements through the effective use of advertising, and affect the communities through the positive power of television and our local news efforts.
Barrington owns 21 television stations in 15 geographically-diverse markets. Our stations are in DMA's ranked 65-199, reach approximately 3.4 percent of the U.S. households, and are affiliated with the NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and CW networks.
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gomizzoutigers
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 04:27 am |
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| High school sports coverage will never be the same in Central Missouri. He had the best high school football coverage in the market. Along with the recent sale by the Weldon estate of the News-Tribune, and I am sure, changes to it also, could mean a major shake-up in the market. KRCG has owned the market south of the river for years, but now might be a way for the other two market TV stations to make a move for viewers upset over the change to pry the rusted tuners to their stations.
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reporterbob
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 04:47 am |
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Hey, gomizzoutigers -- do you have a PR job with about 160 bosses, and a couple of part-time radio gigs to keep your sanity??
AND, since you're speculating about possible changes where I work ... have you heard any good rumors lately??
((So far, the folks in Little Rock have NOT talked about changes ... ... and have said generally positive things about what the News Tribune has done in the past. Am I saying there WON'T be changes??
((I lived through 3 sales while I was in broadcasting ... 1 at KLIK in 1981 and 2 at KRCG in 1984 and 88 ....
((I KNOW there eventually will be changes at the NT ... but am HOPEFUL they won't damage the Newsroom or our News Product .... ))
Bob Watson
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gomizzoutigers
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 05:10 pm |
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Well, at least I was perceptive about high school - or for that matter - any sports coverage on KRCG. Per today's Tribune:
Smith said he also was told that KRCG was going to "phase down" sports by eliminating it from the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts. The budget for sports coverage, Smith said, was being slashed to about half his salary. Smith said he was halfway through a five-year contract and didn’t see the move coming. "I worked hard, put my heart and soul into that job for 23 years," he said.
Smith said he was told that for the time being, sports would be a one-man operation. Tony Mullen is the station’s weekend sports anchor.
Source: http://www.showmenews.com/2008/May/20080524Busi007.asp
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reporterbob
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Posted: Sun May 25th, 2008 11:19 am |
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Gomizzoutigers posted the Columbia Tribune's version of the Rod Smith story from Saturday.
Here's the link to the original JC News Tribune story that ran Friday.
http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2008/05/24/sports/222sports51rodsmith.txt
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gomizzoutigers
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Posted: Sun May 25th, 2008 03:13 pm |
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Joe Walljasper's column from this morning's Tribune is must reading, with the headline "Firing Smith is big 'ol mess for KRCG". For those outside Central Missouri, this is referring to Smith's regular photo feature of fish catches.
http://www.showmenews.com/2008/May/20080525Spor005.asp
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BC
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Posted: Thu May 29th, 2008 04:06 pm |
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This story has gotten a huge response on the newstribune forum as well. There's even a petition, that has recieved about 1500 signatures in the last couple of days.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/bring-krcgs-rod-smith-back-petition
I don't think that it will amount to anything, but maybe get a message to the folks in Chicago. I'm sure the local KRCG management has heard about enough on this by now.
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gomizzoutigers
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Posted: Sat May 31st, 2008 02:10 am |
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It's starting to get interesting:
- The News-Tribune blog continues to get posts on the original story from last week;
- Online petition has over 2,000 "signatures";
- VP/GM Betsy Farris, who fired Rod, resigns today, but will stay on as a "consultant";
- Local car dealer/advertiser has an interesting take on the situation on his site at http://www.mikekehoe.com/rodsmith.html
Last edited on Sat May 31st, 2008 02:12 am by gomizzoutigers
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First Time, Long Time
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 02:57 am |
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| It will be interesting to see if KRCG runs Mike Kehoe's ad this week during their news broadcast. Can someone in the Jeff City area post an update about that here?
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springfieldnewsnut
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:15 pm |
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I know the contracts oftentimes don't permit it, but one of the other stations in mid-Missouri should invite him to come work for their station. What a way to slap KRCG in the face.
I hate when stations do that to outstanding talent and community-oriented people. KSPR in Springfield did that a few years ago prior to its current management to evening news anchor Bob Snell. Just imagine if Bob Snell and Susan Harding were still the lead anchors at KSPR. I think Joe and Christine and all the new people are doing well, but I think the general viewing audience enjoys seeing the same face for more than just a few years in a row. Is there something wrong with developing "tradition" with a station anymore?
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1340-1971
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 05:33 pm |
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| KSPR's new management looks to me like it's doing something right. News is being reported in a much better way these days. The AP must agree, having awarded 1st and 2nd place plaques for "Best Newscast" to them, as well as 1st place for "Best Sportscast". The AP awards this year are not broken down to market size, they reflect a state wide recognition. Congrats to KSPR.
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mmrf
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 11:07 pm |
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http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Jun/20080607News003.asp
Jonathan Van Ness will take over as vice president and general manager of KRCG-TV, according to a statement released yesterday by Barrington Broadcasting Group, the Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based company that owns the Jefferson City CBS affiliate.
Van Ness, a native of Bloomington, Ill., starts his new position Monday. He replaces Betsy Farris, who last month announced her departure from KRCG after 17 years.
"KRCG has great people and a rich history," Van Ness said in a prepared statement. "I am familiar with the station and many of its supporters in the advertising community. I look forward to working with them for the good of Mid-Missouri."
Van Ness has worked in broadcasting since 1981 and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. He previously served as station manager at Barrington-owned KHQA-TV in the Hannibal-Quincy, Ill., area and was vice president and general manager of WHOI-TV in Peoria-Bloomington, Ill., also owned by Barrington.
"Jon has decades of experience in small-market television and most of the time in an adjacent Missouri market," Chris Cornelius, Barrington president and chief operating officer, said in a news release. "He has a keen understanding of local broadcasting and service to the community."
The announcement of Van Ness as KRCG’s new vice president and general manager comes after a series of cutbacks at the Jefferson City station. Last month Barrington announced it would reduce its work force by 8 percent across all 22 of its TV stations, citing increased operating expenses.
Four full-time and two part-time employees at KRCG were cut, including longtime Sports Director Rod Smith, who was laid off May 22.
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