WSFA Digitizing Six Decades Of Alabama News Archives
WSFA Montgomery expects to digitize 3,600 hours of the station’s archived news footage going back to the 1950s. Read what important historical events they’ve uncovered so far, and why a state agency came on board to help.
Getting Creative Can Drive Revenue From Social
The winners of TVNewsCheck’s first Social Media Excellence Awards describe how their stations have been able to monetize various experiments in targeting social media audiences that go beyond just repeating what’s in their news broadcasts. (Photo: Wendy Moger-Bross)
Aiding A Community With Facebook Innovation
An Alabama meteorologist used Facebook Live and satellite imagery to pinpoint weather information for viewers affected by Hurricane Michael. Because of his creative efforts to serve the viewers during a difficult time, Josh Johnson of WSFA has won the Social Media Excellence Awards’ top distinction — the Innovator Award.
To honor innovative, creative and effective use of social media, this year’s NewsTECHForum on Dec. 10 will present the first Social Media Excellent Awards to WTVT Tampa, Fla.; KCCI Des Moines, Iowa; Josh Johnson of WSFA Montgomery, Ala.; and Kristen Hampton of WBTV Charlotte, N.C. After accepting their awards, winners will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Kim Wilson of Social News Desk.
Exclusives
Bill Poplin WSFA’s New General Sales Manager
Raycom moves him from WPGX Panama City, Fla., to lead sales efforts at its Montgomery, Ala., NBC affiliate.
Collin Gaston remains GM of the group’s WBRC Birmingham, Ala., and will now have oversight of WSFA Montgomery, Ala.; WTXL Tallahassee, Fla.; WPGX Panama City, Fla.; and WDFX Dothan, Ala.
WSFA Names Stephen Gunter Sports Director
Pioneering WSFA Reporter Norman Lumpkin Dies
News Finds A New Home Among Diginets
Stations started dabbling with inserting newscasts into their diginet subchannels about five years ago and they say they expect the practice to become more pervasive as more stations recognize the revenue and promotional potential. Among the experiments is producing newscasts that air at non-traditional times — 7-9 a.m. or 9 p.m. — when primary channels are airing network programming.
WSFA Goes IP For Its Capitol Connection
The Raycom NBC affiliate in Montgomery, Ala., wanted to be close to the action in the state capital so it built a new studio that has the Capitol building as a backdrop to its newscasts. To get multiple HD signals back to the station three miles away, it turned to a powerful IP microwave system.
WSFA Adds Anchor-Reporter John O’Connor
WSFA GM Selvaggi Moving To WAVE
Ken Selvaggi, VP-GM of Raycom-owned NBC affiliate WSFA Montgomery-Selma, Ala., announced to staff Monday that he’ll be leaving to take over the reins at Raycom’s WAVE Louisville, Ky., on March 21.
