Flanagan: Iowa fans flood KCTV with complaints over storm coverage

tk13 · 03-14-2006, 02:36 AM

Since this always seems to be a hotly debated topic this time of year...

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14091554.htm

Local Iowa fans ready to storm TV station over decision

By JEFFREY FLANAGAN
The Kansas City Star

Predictably, Channel 5 got hit hard with complaints from upset Iowa fans who were planning to watch the Big Ten tournament final on Sunday. That game coverage was pre-empted by a block of storm-weather coverage as hail storms and tornado sightings were reported throughout the area.

Channel 5 general manager Kirk Black said that Channel 5 did not have the option Sunday of shifting the Big Ten final over to its sister station, Channel 62.

“You have to get pre-approval to do that from the network,” Black said, “and we didn’t have that. And it’s not like you can get a hold of someone on a moment’s notice on a Sunday afternoon.”

Black even had an encounter with an upset Iowa fan in the KCTV lobby on Monday.

“Let’s just say we agreed to disagree,” Black said.

Some Hawkeyes fans have suggested that Channel 5 wouldn’t have cut to the weather reports had the Kansas game been televised on CBS.

“That’s not true,” Black said. “The weather report most certainly would have taken priority. People died during this storm. It was a serious matter.”

But Black did indicate he would talk to CBS network executives to get clearance to bump the KU game this Friday over to Channel 62 if severe weather again is in the forecast.

***

NCAA Tournament lovers are in for a special treat this week: Channel 5 plans to give viewers an option of watching up to three different tournament games per time slot for the first and second rounds — that is, if you have digital cable/high definition and your cable carrier is Time Warner, Comcast, Everest or Sunflower.

In addition to Channel 5’s game, viewers can also see at least one different game on other channels (see chart).

For example, in Thursday’s opening-round games that start around 11:20 a.m., viewers will have a choice of watching Oklahoma-Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wichita State-Seton Hall or Boston College-Pacific games.

“This is the first time we’ve ever tried this,” Black said. “We got permission from our parent company, Meredith Corp., and they said great, go ahead, we have the technology.”

Hoops fans won’t have to rely on the CBS network to pull out of games that have become less interesting — viewers can do it themselves by going to another channel. The option to pick from up to three games could please transplanted fans in Kansas City from the Big Ten, Big East, Missouri Valley, etc. — those fans now have a better chance of watching their favorite teams.

Check out www.kctv5.com for a complete schedule of the games.

***

SI.com has plopped itself firmly on the Jayhawks’ bandwagon, predicting that Kansas will make it all the way to the Final Four.

“The Jayhawks are all grown up since starting the season 3-4; going into the tournament, they’ve won 15 of their last 16. Kansas couldn’t have asked for a better draw. Judging the way the Jayhawks shut down Texas big man LaMarcus Aldridge in the Big 12 title game, they can handle the likes of Pitt’s Aaron Gray. Also, they’re far more athletic than overrated Memphis, and they’ve played a tougher schedule than both UCLA and Gonzaga. Forget about their youth and inexperience, the Jayhawks are primed to make a run all the way to Indy.”

Hmmm. Don’t they have to get past Bradley first?

***

The NCAA Selection Show on Channel 5 garnered a rating of 11, making it the most-watched sports show in Kansas City over the weekend. About 100,000 Kansas City area television homes viewed the selection show.

***

Kansas State business professor and ethics expert Diane Swanson was quoted recently as estimating that U.S. businesses lose somewhere between $400 million and $1.5 billion in production while employees fill out or check their NCAA brackets.

03-14-2006, 02:36 AM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1852500	Flanagan: Iowa fans flood KCTV with complaints over storm coverage Since this always seems to be a hotly debated topic this time of year... http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14091554.htm Local Iowa fans ready to storm TV station over decision By JEFFREY FLANAGAN The Kansas City Star Predictably, Channel 5 got hit hard with complaints from upset Iowa fans who were planning to watch the Big Ten tournament final on Sunday. That game coverage was pre-empted by a block of storm-weather coverage as hail storms and tornado sightings were reported throughout the area. Channel 5 general manager Kirk Black said that Channel 5 did not have the option Sunday of shifting the Big Ten final over to its sister station, Channel 62. “You have to get pre-approval to do that from the network,” Black said, “and we didn’t have that. And it’s not like you can get a hold of someone on a moment’s notice on a Sunday afternoon.” Black even had an encounter with an upset Iowa fan in the KCTV lobby on Monday. “Let’s just say we agreed to disagree,” Black said. Some Hawkeyes fans have suggested that Channel 5 wouldn’t have cut to the weather reports had the Kansas game been televised on CBS. “That’s not true,” Black said. “The weather report most certainly would have taken priority. People died during this storm. It was a serious matter.” But Black did indicate he would talk to CBS network executives to get clearance to bump the KU game this Friday over to Channel 62 if severe weather again is in the forecast. * NCAA Tournament lovers are in for a special treat this week: Channel 5 plans to give viewers an option of watching up to three different tournament games per time slot for the first and second rounds — that is, if you have digital cable/high definition and your cable carrier is Time Warner, Comcast, Everest or Sunflower. In addition to Channel 5’s game, viewers can also see at least one different game on other channels (see chart). For example, in Thursday’s opening-round games that start around 11:20 a.m., viewers will have a choice of watching Oklahoma-Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wichita State-Seton Hall or Boston College-Pacific games. “This is the first time we’ve ever tried this,” Black said. “We got permission from our parent company, Meredith Corp., and they said great, go ahead, we have the technology.” Hoops fans won’t have to rely on the CBS network to pull out of games that have become less interesting — viewers can do it themselves by going to another channel. The option to pick from up to three games could please transplanted fans in Kansas City from the Big Ten, Big East, Missouri Valley, etc. — those fans now have a better chance of watching their favorite teams. Check out www.kctv5.com for a complete schedule of the games. * SI.com has plopped itself firmly on the Jayhawks’ bandwagon, predicting that Kansas will make it all the way to the Final Four. “The Jayhawks are all grown up since starting the season 3-4; going into the tournament, they’ve won 15 of their last 16. Kansas couldn’t have asked for a better draw. Judging the way the Jayhawks shut down Texas big man LaMarcus Aldridge in the Big 12 title game, they can handle the likes of Pitt’s Aaron Gray. Also, they’re far more athletic than overrated Memphis, and they’ve played a tougher schedule than both UCLA and Gonzaga. Forget about their youth and inexperience, the Jayhawks are primed to make a run all the way to Indy.” Hmmm. Don’t they have to get past Bradley first? * The NCAA Selection Show on Channel 5 garnered a rating of 11, making it the most-watched sports show in Kansas City over the weekend. About 100,000 Kansas City area television homes viewed the selection show. * Kansas State business professor and ethics expert Diane Swanson was quoted recently as estimating that U.S. businesses lose somewhere between $400 million and $1.5 billion in production while employees fill out or check their NCAA brackets.
Posts: 54,970