Life after Oprah.
KMGH-Channel 7, faced with a gaping hole left by “The Oprah Winfrey Show’s” move to KCNC-Channel 4, is filling in admirably with an hour of news.
The switch began Monday. So far, so good. Tuesday’s big story of finding little lost hiker Evan
Thompson, which broke at 4:20 p.m., close to the middle of the news hour, didn’t hurt.
The new 7News Now, starting at 4 p.m., is anchored by Mike Landess and Anne Trujillo. It’s a stretched-out, more relaxed and in-depth view of the news, not 90-second items.
News director Byron Grandy promises that the hour will lean on “breaking news,” including the weather (which can get dicey around here on a summer afternoon), but that the format also allows room for expanded news stories and some features. Landess’ touching Memorial Day tribute to his World War II vet father set a good precedent.
“We’re pleased,” said Grandy. “People are watching.” He knows this because of an interactive feature, encouraging people to call and write their views of current news. “It’s about engaging the audience,” said Grandy. “People are much more in tune and expect more engagement when they’re watching.”
Grandy knows it’s a work in progress, but he’s upbeat. “I think it’s going to be fine. We’re in it for the long haul.”
Weekend highlights
Today
“This Is Spinal Tap,” director Rob Reiner’s send-up of self-
indulgent rock documentaries, still brings laughs 20 years later (5:30 and 11:30 p.m., IFC).
Saturday
“Toy Story,” an animated children’s film that adults can enjoy, backed by the voices of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks (7 p.m., KMGH-Channel 7).
Sunday
Keep your shoot-’em-up detective shows – I’ll take the persistent, clever sleuthing of the immortal Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) in the two-part “Sleeping Murder” (9 p.m., KRMA-Channel 6).
Radio waves
Ray Quinn, vice president and marketing manager for Entercom, disagrees with my assessment (May 29) that Denver radio is losing listeners.
“More people are listening to Denver radio than they did last year. According to Arbitron, 2 million people tune in to Denver radio each week (for) on average 18 hours and 28 minutes per week.
“What you are seeing is the fragmentation of the radio market. All of the stations are fiercely competing for the attention of the listeners.”
Around the dial
Brad Paisley and Sara Evans headline the 26th birthday concert for KYGO 98.5-FM, June 23 at Coors Amphitheatre. Info at kygo.com. … Volunteers of America received 115,000 pounds of donated food from Arc Thrift Stores in a campaign backed by KWLI 92.5-FM. … Quotable: “We want to do things you don’t ordinarily see.” Byron Grandy.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com
