Springfield, MO

[midwestnewsgirl]

Anyone know anything about this market? The stations and the news and the people?

Thank you so much!!!

[JJ]

IM me.

[spts]

there's only ONE station to work for...

KYTV

[Jelleye]

born and raised there and interned at one. While ky3 has the history, kolr is raising the bar. I currently have two good friends reporting at ky3 and kolr...im me....they are both happy but they work in very different newsrooms. Both are good, just different from news and contracts. I know a lot about both...feel free to ask.

[inthefog]

I lived in that market for much of my life and I love the area. I would move back if my family didn't live there. :D

Anyway, I agree that KOLR and KYTV are the only two to choose from. There was a short period of time in the early 90s that KSPR looked promising, but it has gone to crap in the last decade or so. As a viewer, I enjoyed KOLR-10 more than KYTV (more of an older-people station). However, there are some positive things they've been doing in the times I've watched on recent visits home.

As far as Springfield goes, it's a growing area with lots of tourism so plenty of entertainment nearby in Branson and around the lakes. Even Springfield itself has a lot to do. However, if you are looking for a Berkeley-type city--Springfield is not it. It's a family city with a conservative feel. I like it that way, but I've heard the complaints that it's a big little town instead of a small big city.

[ June 07, 2007, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: inthefog ]

[Jelleye]

inthefog is right on. Spfd is the AG (assemblies of God) world head quarters...So it is extremely conservative. I grew up with missionary kids.
So true-big little town-everyone on the northside knows everyone....

[Pro]

I interveiwed for a job at KY3 several years ago. They have a MUSEUM in their building dedicated to the station! A pretty impressive one, at that.

Since I'm not into fishing, I suppose it was just as well that I didn't get the job. But, still, it seemed to be a very good place to work.

[neodeity]

I was there from '87 - '89 and helped put KSPR on the air when they got the ABC affiliation from KDEB; I'm sorry to hear they've gone down hill. We started off pretty well, but after Lorimar sold us to people who couldn't afford us, it was time to leave. It's a beautiful part of the country and a nice place to live for a couple of years.

[Fake Post]

Count me in as a Springfield tv veteran.

Unfortunately, I worked for KSPR. The others are spot on in the market.

KY3 is the dominant leader. They have all the toys and often compete with bigger markets on stories. KOLR 10 is a nice place to work and train for bigger and better things.

Watch out for KSPR. It can be a career killer.

[newser]

I work in springfield now. I-M me for more info

[Y2J]

Originally posted by inthefog:
As far as Springfield goes, it's a growing area with lots of tourism so plenty of entertainment nearby in Branson and around the lakes.Nelson: What is this place?
Bart: Branson, Missouri. My dad says it's like Vegas...if it were run by Ned Flanders.

[newhouse]

I worked in Springfield for several years.
Ky3 is the best station... and FYI the owner of KY3 (Shurz) just bought KSPR... so that's interesting.
Ky3 is dominant and best. KOLR is second and KSPR is third. But now it seems KSPR and Ky3 aren't really in competition, although there was no competition before the buyout anyway so no loss there.
Ky3 operates like a larger market stations in many ways. They are server based now. The only negative I'd say is low pay (but if you're just starting out I'd imagine it's pretty good) and lack of certain resources. When I worked there they didn't have designated writers or real AP's or editors.
Producers have to do EVERYTHING. But I suppose that's typical mid-market stuff.
Great market to get your feet wet and move on.
However there are MANY there (and this is unusual in TEEVEE) that have worked at the station for several decades. Just check out Ned Reynolds!!!!

[newhouse]

Oh and some other things about the people/town. The station is like a frat party. Everyone hangs out together.... however a lot of people are having kids so I imagine that's changed. Like I said people stick around for a while.

The town is VERY conservative.... Church on every corner, Republican stronghold.
It is also very white bread - literally. 98% or so white folk. So if you're looking for diversity, move on.

However the town is pretty cool. There's lots of fun stuff to do downtown. They're building lofts down there. It's a college town feel with MSU!!!!!

PM me if you want to know more... gotta run!

[Notch Boy]

Don't let anybody sour you on any of the stations in Springfield. KSPR has it's issues, but what station doesn't?

33 has sent dozens of people to major markets and syndicated gigs over the past decade. In fact, they may have the best track record of all the stations in town with getting people to the "big leagues."

Springfield is a training ground, so don't be afraid to take a job at any of the 4 stations.

[mowx]

Anyone have more thoughts or information on what the Shurz purchase of KSPR means for the station and for the market?

I'm curious what the future looks like for 33.

[Hydrometeor Man]

Convervative? Maybe. Maybe not as much as one would think. There are all different types... they just look the same.

Nothing is final until the FCC says so. Until then, don't pack your bags.