By Rick Griffin
KFMB-TV, a CBS network affiliate since it signed on the air as San Diego’s first TV station on May 16, 1949, has added the CW Network affiliation, effective Sept. 1. XETV-TV/Channel 6 has been the CW Network affiliate since 2008.
For viewers, this means KFMB will continue to air CBS network shows on Channel 8, plus it will have rights for CW programming that will be seen on another channel under the KFMB banner.
So, where will viewers find CW shows this fall? KFMB officials said that answer is unknown at this time, but negotiations are continuing with local TV service providers. Most people in San Diego watch TV through a cable service, such as Cox Communications or Spectrum, previously called Time-Warner Cable, while others subscribe through a satellite provider, including Direct TV or Dish Network. About seven percent of viewers in San Diego watch television over the air.
“There will be no changes to KFMB CBS 8,” said Alberto Mier y Terán, president and GM, KFMB Stations. “It will remain a CBS affiliate. KFMB-TV will operate CBS 8 and CW as a duopoly in the San Diego market. We are thrilled to be adding the CW to the KFMB family. It enhances our strong multimedia platform in San Diego and helps us to better serve all San Diegans with compelling programming and award winning local news.”
KFMB-TV said it also plans for its CW channel to air newscasts produced by CBS News 8. The same thing happened several years ago when newscasts produced by KNSD-TV/NBC also aired on KSWB-TV/Channel 5.
“CW made a business decision and I have nothing but respect and admiration for CW,” said Chuck Dunning, general manager of XETV-TV. “Our owners, Bay City Television, are analyzing our options right now about the best use of this property going forward. I don’t want to speculate or discuss options.”
It’s possible that Channel 6 could become an independent TV station again without a major network affiliation. Since its launch in early 1953, as San Diego’s second-oldest TV station (behind KFMB-TV), Channel 6 has been a network affiliate for ABC, Fox and CW. In 1974, after serving as an ABC affiliate since 1956, XETV operated as an independent station when ABC switched to KCST-TV, today known as KNSD. XETV also was a Fox affiliate from 1987 to 2008, when it became a CW network affiliate. In January 2016, XETV rebranded itself from “San Diego 6” to “CW6.”
In San Diego, KUSI-TV/Channel 9 also operates as an independent station.
The CW Television Network, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS, offers original primetime, afternoon and weekend programming. Its most popular shows, including Arrow, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Flash, Jane the Virgin and Supergirl, target the highly coveted 18-34 demographic.
Alternative Strategies Adds Pacific Highlands Ranch
Alternative Strategies of San Diego has added The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch, a new retail shopping center, as a new client, announced agency owner William Lopez. “I am incredibly thrilled for the opportunity to play an integral role in the success of this unique, one-stop shopping and dining village,” Lopez said.
Alternative Strategies will provide public relations, social media, marketing, advertising and creative services for the mixed-use retail and lifestyle center, which features a Santa Barbara-inspired design with mosaics and lush landscaping in a pedestrian friendly, plaza-style environment. The marketing firm, founded in 2000, is known for its work with more than more than 40 clients in the restaurant and hospitality industries.
PRSA Hosts Mixer, Cost is Appropriately $20.17
The Public Relations Society of America’s San Diego-Imperial Counties chapter will host a networking mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Westroot, a new tavern at The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch in Carmel Valley, 6025 Village Way, San Diego. Light appetizers will be hosted but drinks will be available at discounted happy-hour prices. In honor of the new year, cost to attend the mixer is $20.17 for members and students and $25.17 for non members. For information and to RSVP, visit www.prsasdic.org.
Reflections from Bill Trumpfheller Celebration of Life Service
More than 800 family and friends filled San Diego State University’s Montezuma Hall on Jan. 17 to celebrate the life of Bill Trumpfheller, president and CEO of Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, regarded as San Diego’s longest-standing local public relations firm. He joined NST as an intern in 1986 and became its president in 2000. He passed away Dec. 29 while in the San Bernardino mountains with his family. He was 53. He is survived by his wife, Nola Trumpfheller, and two daughters.
Speakers at the Celebration of Life service included: San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer; Garry Ridge, CEO of WD-40; Jim Herrick, executive director, SDSU Alumni Association; Teresa Siles, managing director, NST; Bill Early, regional CEO, American Red Cross, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter; Matt Kucharski, Worldcom Public Relations Group; and Jerry Sanders, president/CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Another speaker was Bill’s brother, Mike Trumpfheller, who shared stories of their experiences growing up, mentioning Bill’s dedication to cultivating his passions, including skiing, sailing and camping with his girls.
Faulconer described Bill as both a personal friend and a friend of the entire San Diego community. Trumpfheller served on the boards of several nonprofit associations. Faulconer voiced a sentiment shared by many that, even in a life cut too short, “Bill made a difference.”
Ridge told of the close relationship Bill made with the brand during his more than 20 years of work with NST. Bill was described as a friend and trusted advisor to “the tribe” who shared WD-40’s values and was always ready with a creative idea to keep the trusted brand top of mind in so many households.
Herrick spoke of the pride Bill felt for his alma mater. That pride could be felt during Bill’s two terms as president of the alumni association, the countless hours of support and counsel he provided to SDSU athletics and the effort he made to hire fellow alumni, Herrick said.
Siles, spoke to three NST company values inspired and lived by Trumpfheller. “So today, I stand reminded of the importance of these three things: balancing fun and hard work, the value of pushing ourselves, each other and our profession to explore, and lastly — and most importantly — the importance of purpose, or contributing to people and society as a whole. These values and Bill’s legacy will live on through the entire Nuffer, Smith, Tucker team.”
In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Campanile Foundation, Bill Trumpfheller Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made online at http://campaign.sdsu.edu or with a check mailed to San Diego State University, The Campanile Foundation, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.