[Updated March 3, 2007]The "March Blizzard of 2007," as some are billing it, put several Omaha TV stations into "special coverage" mode on Thursday.
KMTV (Cox Channel 5) led the way, providing viewers with an additional three hours and 24 minutes of special coverage. Action 3 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists provided 15-minute cutins (instead of the usual five-minute ones) at 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., then followed that up with a half-hour of live reports from 9:30 to 10 a.m. At 10:20 a.m., "The Price is Right" was interrupted for more special coverage that lasted through 1 p.m. From then through the 5 p.m. news, the CBS affiliate aired three minute news and weather updates every half-hour.
"We were very proud of the effort and have received very positive feedback from viewers," said Steve Wexler, Executive Vice President for TV and Radio for the Journal Broadcast Group. "One thing you didn't mention was our special hour-long 6 p.m. newscast last night, pre-empting 'Entertainment Tonight.' We were the only station to extend (that) newscast so that we could provide information to people who may have gotten home later than usual."
KETV (Cox Channel 9) began the morning by streaming its "First News" 5-7 a.m. newscast on its website, KETV.com. Like KMTV, KETV also provided expanded cut-ins, including a 25-minute update at 9 a.m., a 20-minute update at 10 a.m. and an expanded (by about five minutes) version of its 11:30 a.m. newscast. Following special updates every half-hour from 1 through 3 p.m., KETV also provided a half-hour of coverage at 3 p.m.
"Our goal was to make sure we were on the air every half hour with updates," said KETV Assistant News Director Vonn Jones.
On KPTM (Cox Channel 10) and sister station, KXVO (Cox Channel 11), Chief Meteorologist Tyson Pearsall provided live weather segments every half hour, beginning at 9 a.m., as well as coverage updates on KPTM.com. The snowstorm also provided both stations with the opportunity to showcase their new graphics package, including an animated "bug" for weather warnings.
"Our school closings were provided on our website, as well as via textcasting," KPTM/KXVO News Director Joe Radske added.
