Now that Channel 11, the NBC-TV affiliate in Atlanta (seen as Channel 6 in Roswell/Marietta and elsewhere) has finally gotten rid of Mike Francis (it may well have been a mutual decision), the official announcement that Chris Holcomb has been appointed (as he should have been from the git-go) the Channel 11 Chief Meteorologist has been slow in coming, if it even is a fait acompli. A salary increase should be automatic.

While we are about it (were I the boss if they could afford me, which they cannot), Brenda Wood would be sent wherever Mike Francis has gone — and I would appoint Jeff Hullinger the solo newsman, assisted by Brenda Wood, who still has an audience appeal (small as it is), giving her the shortest, least important stories to read.

THE 6 (11) O’CLOCK NEWS WITH JEFF HULLINGER and Reporters Brenda Wood and _(field)______ and _(field)____(the 2 most activist field reporters that day)__ ON CHANNEL 11 with Chief Meteorologist CHRIS HOLCOMB and Sports Director SAM CRENSHAW. Now, here’s JEFF HULLLINGER . . .
Yes, I would make Sam Crenshaw Sports Director and give Fred Kalil sports interviewing duties where he will not be seen — with no more than ten spoken words from the shadows.

This team would work M-F, early and late. They would have national holidays off, and a contract giving them each three weeks’ vacation at full salary. They could, through incentives, increase this to a full month.

The weekend and 4:30-7 AM staff are fine, and with minor exceptions, I would leave them alone, with Hullingford, Holcomb and Crenshaw overseeing their efforts.

What about commercials? Well, there too many. The 6 and 11 PM News should limited to no more than two breaks for commercials, total four minutes, at approximately 6:09 and 6:19. At approximately 6:24 another break (one minute) could be taken.

HULLINGER: back in two minutes (twice).

CRENSHAW: more sports in 60 seconds (once, if sold).

If Hullinger wraps up at 6:27:55, that is okay. He will leave :05 for the Gannett Logo, two minutes for commercials, and join NBC News right on time. Normal wrap-up time will be 6:28:55 and 11:28:55.

If agencies scream because they do not get on, either tell them to go to hell — or double their rates. If they still insist, triple the rates. Then tell them to go to hell.

The ABC affiliate and the CBS outlet will be looked at later.


Robert A. Mills, March, 22, 2014
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