New KSEE (Channel 24.1) President/General Manager Matt Rosenfeld decided a few weeks ago to stop producing a 10 p.m. weekday newscast for KAIL (Channel 7.1) to concentrate the station's resources solely on content for the local NBC affiliate.
One example of how he is using those resources is to launch a 7 p.m. weekday newscast starting Monday.Tentatively titled "KSEE24 News at 7 p.m.," the 30-minute program is the first locally produced news in that time slot, which is traditionally filled with game shows, reruns of network series or entertainment programs.As would be expected, Rosenfeld hopes everyone will watch the new newscast. But the key audience will be those who are busy after work and don't have time for the traditional 5, 6 or 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts.Many television stations in the top 50 markets produce a 7 p.m. newscast. Rosenfeld says he knows of only 11 stations in the markets ranked 51-100 -- Fresno is 55th -- that do.Rosenfeld is coy about the format of the new show: "We will deliver the news in a slightly different format."The newscast, anchored by Carolyn Bruck, won't originate from the station's main anchor desk but from an adjoining studio with a 175-inch television monitor.The addition of the 7 p.m. newscast means KSEE now produces seven hours of news -- airing 4:30 a.m. to 11:35 p.m. -- each day. No staff has been added to deal with the additional work."There are a million different reasons why we should do this show. It is a way to serve local viewers more while highlighting the news talent and sources we have. I also think it will make financial sense," Rosenfeld says."Access Hollywood" will air at 7:30 p.m. weekdays. To make room, "Dr. Phil" will air once a day, at 3 p.m. weekdays, instead of twice daily.Rate hikeComcast is raising its rates Oct. 15, a year after its last increase. The amount will be approximately 1.6% but will vary according to which video, Internet and telephone packages you have.Bryan Byrd, director of communications at Comcast, says prices will not go up for customers who have special promotional deals in place.Comcast's limited basic package, which includes local channels and a few basic cable channels, will rise from $18 to $19.70. The expanded basic package, which includes no digital channels, will increase from $39.95 to $40.29. The digital starter package, which includes a limited number of digital channels, will increase from $58.95 to $59.99.The monthly fee to lease a cable modem for high-speed Internet or for the Comcast phone service will increase $2. There will be no price increases for the Internet or phone service. The price drops $1 for those who only subscribe to high-speed Internet.Other newsAnchor update: KFSN (Channel 30.1) anchor Nancy Osborne will be off the air for about six weeks recovering from hip-replacement surgery. She made the decision because of "several years of declining mobility and pretty hefty pain."Talk show report: Sean Hannity will broadcast his program from "a fallowed field on the west side in Fresno County" at 6 p.m. today. The program's focus is California's water crisis. Congressman Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, and comedian Paul Rodriguez will be guests. Hannity's radio show airs at 2 p.m. weekdays on KMJ (AM 580).Another serving: "Hey Kids, Let's Cook!" begins its fourth season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on KVPT (Channel 18.1). Kathy Powers, a former Fresno Unified School District teacher of the year, hosts.