Readers tell Channel 9: Give us 'Nightline' at the right time

KMBC's policy of delaying "ABC News Nightline" has been raised from time to time in these pages. Each time we get an earful from readers, and my Sept. 12 column was no exception. "I have written and called over the years to no avail about this continuing problem," wrote Barbara Chiles of Parkville in an e-mail. "Working people cannot stay up until midnight when they have to arise at 5 a.m. every day." "It strikes me as funny that KMBC, Channel 9, calls itself the station 'Where the News Comes First' when they don't even have a noon broadcast of the news and they delay 'Nightline' until the early morning hours just so they can show repeats of lame sitcoms," said Bill Strausbaugh of Kansas City, Kan. "CNN is great, but Ted Koppel sparks interest and prompts viewers to think of things they might otherwise fail to consider," wrote e-mailer Amy Schaff. "Does Mr. Dinovitz believe the people in the Kansas City area too uneducated to prefer 'Nightline' over 'Roseanne' reruns?" Barbara Glauz of Kansas City doesn't think so. She wrote KMBC general manager Paul Dinovitz a letter and sent TVKC a copy. "Several times over the years I've been tempted to write to you after we have traveled and realized that most other cities are able to see that show right after their local news," she wrote. "Though you are our favorite channel, at 10:35 p.m. our TV is either off or switched to a different channel." But Channel 9 is not No. 1 in late nights for nothing, as TVKC was reminded by some viewers who like things just the way they are. Almost to a person, the sitcom fans who phoned in found little difference between the news at 10 and "Nightline." "Ted Koppel, what is he? He's just a news program," said Elizabeth Hampton. "He's just being egotistical and he needs to grow up!" "There's enough of that news mess on TV," said Caroline Garner of Kansas City. "It's not even news, it's their personal opinions. When I'm trying to get to bed at night I'd much rather watch sitcoms than that news mess and get upset about nothing." Kansas City, the 33rd-largest market in the country according to the new Nielsen rankings, is now the second largest in which "Nightline" is delayed, after Milwaukee (No. 31). KCPT's election coverage KCPT, Channel 19, kicks off its fall election coverage with a full night of debates and analysis Sunday night. At 7 p.m., KCPT airs a live debate between the two U.S. Senate candidates from Missouri in St. Louis. That's followed at 8 by a live PBS election special from Washington. At 9, KCPT plays host to the Kansas gubernatorial debate involving Gov. Bill Graves and three challengers. The Star's Steve Kraske will be among the panelists. KCTV's Tracy Townsend moderates. At 10 p.m., the four U.S. Senate candidates from Kansas hold their live debate. Kurtis visits Topeka Independence native Bill Kurtis, a nightly fixture on A&E, will speak at 7:30 tonight at the Kansas History Center in Topeka. He'll also sign copies of his book The New Explorers, based on his A&E series of the same name. Admission is free. Kurtis, a Washburn University graduate whose career began at WIBW-TV in Topeka, is joining the Kansas State Historical Society board of directors. Jones Intercable has begun carrying CNN/SI on Channel 44 in Missouri and Channel 68 in Kansas (in upgraded zones) when Metro Sports is not on the air. StarTouch: 889-7827 and enter 8852 (TVKC). E-mail: writeme@tvbarn.com