KCNC-Channel 4 launches its “all new and very different newscast” at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
The timing is not coincidental. That’s the same night Katie Couric steps in as anchor on “CBS Evening News,” a moment the network is touting as the biggest thing to hit TV since color.
The 6:30 local newscast with anchors Jim Benemann and Molly Hughes will give Channel 4 viewers an option of news, national and local, at 5 a.m. and noon and at 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 10 p.m.
We are being buried in news. KUSA-Channel 9 has six newscasts a day, KMGH-Channel 7 has five, KWGN-Channel 2 has three (its 11 a.m. newscast starts on Sept. 11), KDVR-Channel 31 has two and the new kid, KTVD-Channel 20, puts up its first newscast on Sept. 17.
Walt DeHaven, Channel 4’s general manager, promises what viewers will see at 6:30 won’t be the same old same old.
Almost everyone will have seen some news during the day so the 6:30 version will provide more in-depth coverage with the Internet, medical and consumer issues getting special attention on different days. “Viewers want depth and perspective,” DeHaven said.
A news release from Channel 4 also says Benemann and Hughes “will not be talking heads behind a desk.” They will be “upfront and center.” I can’t wait to see what that means, beyond standing up to give us the bad news. I always know when the news is particularly gripping because the anchors stand in front of a graphic. Car wrecks don’t get their own graphics.
Channel 4’s new newscast, video, traffic and weather also will be available via cellphones, a first in the region, for a price.
He can pick ’em
Pierre Wolfe, the diminutive restaurant/travel radio critic, pops up in the craziest places.
He leaves today for Jordan in the hyper-heated Mideast. He’s planning to do his radio show live on-line from there but his visit is strictly tourism and culture. He’s hoping to meet Princess Basma Bint Talal, sister of the late King Hussein.
What he won’t do is get involved in politics or war coverage while he’s in the area. “I’m Pierre Wolfe, not Wolf Blitzer.”
Around the dial
Community radio station KGNU 1390-AM and 88.5-FM shows off its new offices to the public at 700 Kalamath St. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Among those expected to drop by are Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Councilwoman Judy Montero … Comedian Paula Poundstone raises funds for public television with a Sept. 30 appearance for KBDI-Channel 12 at the Newman Center. Tickets, 303-830-8497 … Jazz station KUVO 89.3-FM shows its support for local performers with concerts featuring blues/jazz singer James Van Buren at 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St. … Quotable: “Television is simply automated day-dreaming.” Lee Lovinger.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
