Things have been awfully quiet over at Fox 4 lately. In part that's because Kansas City's oldest TV station, started 60 years ago by The Star, is now held by private equity, which doesn't have to say a thing to Wall Street, the press or the public if it chooses. It can neglect its weirdly vandalized "About Us" page for months at a time. It just doesn't matter.
Also, the folks at Fox 4 are a little busy these days. The station just had one of its best ratings books in a long, long while (see below), but who's got the time to celebrate? News director Bryan McGruder is working with about 10 fewer bodies in his newsroom than he was a year ago. But, "we’ve been making it work," he told TVB today. "We expand responsibilities, expand duties. We have a great staff here. They're picking up work and not complaining."
In mornings, for instance, there used to be an anchor-team handoff midway through. But that was eliminated along with the second anchor team. And yet in the May book, Fox's morning show widened its lead over its rivals.
Well, soon there's going to be even more work to pick up, specifically in sports, where longtime anchor Frank Boal is retiring — and won't be replaced.
"He is the consummate professional and will be sorely missed," McGruder said.
This week is the deadline for Fox 4 employees to accept corporate's buyout offer. All employees age 55+ with at least 15 years' tenure at the station are eligible. Photographer John Roach took the buyout when it was offered to union members earlier this year. And now, Boal and director Jerry Matz have told management they're getting out, too.
"We’re not in a position to replace Frank and go back to a three-man sports department," McGruder said. "We’re going to have to do something different, but I haven't talked to Al (Wallace) or Jason (Lamb) to get their input.
"I don't imagine it will be anything different."
Boal announced on Monday's 6 p.m. sportscast that today would be his last day at WDAF-TV.
“It was a close call,” Boal said Monday, adding that Fox 4 management “did everything they could to keep me here. It was just one of those things where, being 62 and at the very end of my contract, and with the uncertainty of the future, that had a lot to do with taking the buyout.” Local TV LLC, the private-equity firm that owns WDAF, offered a lucrative buyout to all of its employees age 55 or older with at least 15 years' service. The deadline for taking the offer is this week.
The sudden decision has left Boal unsure about his future. He'll continue to do on-air work for WHB-AM (810), though “how many hours a week is still being determined,” he said. And he intends to return to the Rocky Mountains to take up his recent hobby of hiking peaks 14,000 feet and higher.
“This summer I think I'll knock off a few mountains,” Boal said.
This just in from my man David Burke in the Quad Cities, via Twitter:
Local TV site not vandalized: It was intentional. (Left spot was former exec, same pic as other two.) They own ex-NYT affil here.
All I'm saying is, it doesn't look very professional.
PR from WDAF follows. Here's my story from 2007 about Local TV LLC acquiring WDAF. If corporate wises up and finally fixes the "About Us" page, and you're wondering what it looked like before, here.
FOX 4 NEWS IN THE MORNING IS KANSAS CITY’S NUMBER ONE MORNING NEWS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2009 May sweeps results are in and WDAF-TV’s FOX 4 News in the Morning is the winner of the 5-9am morning news race. FOX 4 News at 5am, 6am, 7am and 8am M-F secured number one status in strong fashion by winning every time period in overall household numbers and with adults, women and men in the 25-54 and 18-49 demographics. FOX 4 News in the Morning also produced double-digit demo increases year-to-year and soundly beat the national Morning shows including “Good Morning America,” and the “Today Show” at 7am. Additionally our Saturday morning news ranked number one in households, adults and men in 25-54 and 18-49 and women 18-49 age groups. Sunday morning ranked number one in adults, women and men 25-54 demographics.
The results, according to the Nielsen 2009 May sweep ratings measurement period, portray WDAF as the dominant, morning news station. “It is gratifying to know that FOX 4 news remains the most popular and most watched morning newscast. We are extremely proud of the impressive demo growth for all of our shows,” said Cheryl McDonald, President and General Manager of WDAF-TV FOX 4.
This ratings success in not confined to the mornings. WDAF-TV FOX 4 was also number one in prime time (FOX prime airs Monday through Saturday 7 to 9pm, Sunday 6 to 9pm) in all key demographics with veteran programs like American Idol, House, 24 and Hell’s Kitchen leading the way. And, FOX 4’s weekday 9 pm news ranked number two with adults and men in the 25-54 and 18-49 age groups beating all other stations’ 10pm newscasts with the exception of KMBC.
WDAF’S weekday morning news team consists of anchors Mark Alford and Loren Halifax; meteorologist Don Harman; reporters Kathy Quinn and Sharita Hutton; and traffic reporter Nick Vasos. Weekend morning news is anchored by Paul Herdtner and meteorologist Joe Lauria. John Holt and Susan Hiland anchor the weekday 9pm newscast, with chief meteorologist Mike Thompson and sports director Frank Boal.
In 1949, WDAF-TV became the first television station to broadcast in Kansas City. With 49 hours of news programming every week, FOX 4 is continuing 60 years of excellence and service to the Kansas City Community. WDAF-TV FOX 4 is owned by Local TV LLC, a broadcast holding company with 16 television stations in small to midsized markets. Local TV is owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners.
I think the news in the morning would be a lot better off without mark. He is always stirring the POT. i don't think he has been able to get along with anybody. He is always polking fun at someone. Especially Don. Loren acts like the PIECE KEEPER. Paul Herdtner was a great Anchor and should have been the one that stayed and Mark stuck off in a corner someplace.
Thank You.
Posted by: Tony S | June 29, 2009 at 06:26 PM
What about channel 4 going high definition in their local newsroom? All the other networks local newscasts are in HD. It is hard to be competitive when you picture is not competitive. Is there any timetable for this at FOX4?
Posted by: John/kc | June 29, 2009 at 07:13 PM
You will be missed, Frank, Lenny has left Channel 9 Looks like the only honest sportscaster left in KC is Jack Harry.
Posted by: Tony Warden | June 29, 2009 at 07:29 PM
They are have a Hiring Freeze at the Moment so no replacing Lockhart either but maybe from with in.
Posted by: Matt Galvin | June 29, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Frank is the best in Kansas City, a big mistake by FOX4 Management.
Posted by: chefsfan | June 29, 2009 at 08:42 PM
When will Thompson get his pink slip?
Posted by: Ted Carleton | June 29, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Frank moved to KC from Wisconsin the same year we did. It made the move so much easier to feel like someone from 'back home' was still around.
Enjoy retirement Frank, and Go PACK!
Posted by: local Badger | June 29, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Frank Boal is a joke - worse on radion than TV and I can't believe it when I hear some people (Kietzman) talk about him like he's a legend. Please.
When FB's on the radio, he spends more time laughing at things that aren't funny - I think he's trying to unconciously convince himself that he's funny and that the listeners are having a good time. As good as a radio station as 810 is, they don't have a clue with FB - I would suggest that they offer him a buyout so he can climb all the friggin' mountains that his heart desires.
Posted by: Dude. | June 29, 2009 at 11:35 PM
bring back DON FORTUNE
Posted by: JOHN MCFADDEN | June 30, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Mr. Boal.. you indeed sir will be greatly missed !!!
Posted by: Robert | June 30, 2009 at 06:14 PM