Summary: The Star's Aaron Barnhart expanded on the changes at KMBC. 10-17-2007.
KMBC moves anchorman Kris Ketz to morning time slot
Last week, KMBC, Channel 9, lost its news director. Now the other shoe has dropped, as the ABC affiliate plans its most dramatic on-air change since the departure of anchorwoman Laurie Everett seven years ago.
Starting Monday, Kris Ketz will move from the 5 p.m. newscast to �FirstNews,� KMBC�s morning show. Ketz also will leave the 10 p.m. newscast, where he has been a fixture for two decades.
The move, which has long been in the planning stages, aims to make Channel 9 more competitive in the early news. It also will break up one of the most durable on-air teams in Kansas City history.
Kelly Eckerman, who has been teamed with Ketz at 5 p.m. since 1994, will co-anchor the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts Tuesday through Thursday with Larry Moore and Friday and Saturday with Jim Flink. On Mondays, Moore and Lara Moritz will anchor the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
Word of Ketz�s move leaked quickly Tuesday out of KMBC�s new headquarters near Swope Park. General Manager C. Wayne Godsey confirmed a report posted on Rob Zerwekh�s KCRadio Web site that changes were imminent.
�We are trying to spread our strongest, most recognizable anchors through more of the week,� Godsey said of the moves.
Taking Ketz off of evenings was an acknowledgment of the declining importance of the 5 p.m. newscast and the increasing importance of early morning news. It also signaled a heightened sense of urgency inside KMBC.
Though management still can point to leads in the crucial demographic ratings, KMBC no longer enjoys the kind of market dominance it once did. It routinely is edged out by KCTV, Channel 5, in the 10 p.m. ratings, and must now battle three competitors, including top-ranked WDAF, Channel 4, in mornings.
In morning news (5 to 7 a.m.) KMBC ranks second behind WDAF in total audience and viewers ages 25 to 54, according to Nielsen ratings for the May sweeps period.
However, KCTV has made strides in mornings and now ranks a competitive third, while KSHB, Channel 41, has a sizable younger audience.
In the May ratings period, the most recent, Nielsen reported KCTV had a slight edge over KMBC in total viewers from 5 to 5:30 a.m. |
