By Rick Griffin
This is the final week of newscasts for XETV-TV CW6. Channel 6’s last newscast is scheduled for its 10 p.m. show on Friday, March 31.
Airing during Friday morning’s news show will be an on-air champagne toast on the back lot and interviews with former anchors and current city leaders, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer, according to Chuck Dunning, Channel 6 vice president and general manager.
“The shows will be as upbeat as possible,” said Dunning. “The farewells will certainly be bittersweet. Several packages will air on Friday showcasing the history of the station.”
The station already has ended its newscasts at 4 p.m. weekdays and morning weekend shows. “Fortunately, many of our staff have found other jobs, so we couldn’t continue with the weekday afternoon and weekend shows,” Dunning said. “We had some very talented producers and directors who have moved on.”
It’s been two months since the Jan. 23 announcement that San Diego’s second-oldest TV station is going off the air. Bay City Television, the Mexican-based owner of XETV-TV CW6, will cease operations at 12:01 a.m. on May 31. The decision followed Channel 6’s loss of the CW network affiliation, which it had since 2008.
“I’m so proud of our staff,” said Dunning. “Normally, companies will close their doors immediately, but we couldn’t do that because we have a network contract and other commitments to fulfill. It would be normal for people to lose their focus and motivation. But, that hasn’t happened. I’ve been watching our newscasts for the past 60 days and our viewers would have a hard time noticing anything different. We have remained a first-class news operation. Even with fewer staff available, others have pitched in.”
Dunning has worked at Channel 6 since 1978, and has served as general manager since 2010. “We’ve heard from our some former staff members who now realize the special camaraderie that’s been part of this place,” said Dunning.
Instead of newscasts, Dunning said court shows, situation comedies and other shows will air on Channel 6 through May 31. A few sales executives will continue to serve advertisers through May 31. And, Dunning, who has been semi-retired since fall, said he will remain on the job throughout the summer to assist with closing the building and selling the remaining broadcast equipment. A “Celebration of Life” party with an open mic is planned for June 3 at McGregor’s Ale House, 10475 San Diego Mission Road.
XETV has been a major player in San Diego TV history. Over the years, Channel 6 has been a network affiliate for ABC, Fox and CW. As an ABC affiliate, XETV brought many “firsts” to San Diego, including the premiere of Monday Night Football. XETV also aired the 1998 World Series with the Padres and Yankees. In 1986, XETV also was one of the first stations in the U.S. to affiliate with the new Fox network. A 22-year relationship between Fox and XETV began in October 1986. XETV also has been successful as an independent station without a network affiliation. Long-time San Diegans will remember the slogans “Where Your Favorites Are” or “Super Station Six.”
Midwest Television’s KFMB-TV/Channel 8, recently awarded the CW affiliation to add to its CBS network affiliation, will operate the Channel 6 slot after May 31 and air CW shows, along with news programming using CBS8 news staff.
Magic 92.5 Celebrates 20th Birthday with Concert in June
XHRM-FM Magic 92.5, operated by Local Media San Diego, will celebrate its 20th birthday with a “Magic 92.5 Birthday Bash Concert” on June 17 at Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard. Tickets cost $20 per person. Details are available at www.magic925.com.
Bands scheduled to perform include Morris Day and the Time, Stevie B, Zapp, Exposé, Blackstreet, Ginuwine, Shock G of Digital Underground, Jalil and Ecstasy of Whodini, and Kid ‘N Play.
Magic launched on March 5, 1997, initially on the 95.7-FM frequency, before moving to 92.5-FM in 1998.
“We are so proud of the milestone this radio station has reached and we owe it all to the amazing Magic audience here in San Diego,” said Randy Williams, program director. “This concert is a symbol for two decades of music and memories. We plan to shake hands and say ‘Thank you’ to every single listener in attendance.”
Local Media San Diego, a San Diego-based broadcasting company backed by private equity firm Thoma Bravo LLC, operates XHTZ-FM Z-90, XTRA-FM 91X and XHRM-FM Magic 92.5.
San Diego AMA to Discuss ‘Customer Experience Revolution’
San Diego’s American Marketing Association chapter will host “The Customer Experience Revolution” a program from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, at UCSD Extension, Room 317, at 6256 Greenwich Drive. The program with consultant Jeofrey Bean will focus on creating exceptional, world-class consumer experiences that drive loyalty, brand equity and revenue.
Topics discussed will include:
- How to measure real customer experience compared with customer satisfaction
- How to implement “Experience Makers” that will distance your company from competitors
- How to transition to a customer-centric way of thinking
- Tips for gauging the effectiveness of your customer program
Bean, principal of Del Mar Research, is a consultant, keynote speaker and educator who has developed courses, training seminars and workshops for Verizon Wireless, LPL Financial, Quest Diagnostics and iDriveSafety.com. He has advised ProFlower and Sony PlayStation on improving and innovating customer experience. He is a professor teaching Internet marketing strategies and customer experience courses at the University of California San Diego Extension. He is the author of two customer experience books, including “Customer Experience Rules” and “The Customer Experience Revolution: How Apple, Amazon and Starbucks Have Changed Business Forever.”
Cost to attend is $20 for AMA members and $40 for guests. To RSVP and for more information, call (619) 402-7825 or visit www.sdama.org/events.
Taco Truck Creative Begins 5th Year Serving Callaway Golf
Taco Truck Creative, a Carlsbad advertising agency, has announced it has renewed its contract as the agency of record for Callaway Golf, providing both traditional and digital services for the golf industry giant. It’s the start of the fifth year partnership between Taco Truck and Callaway, according to Travis Graham, Taco Truck partner and creative director.
“It’s not your typical agency-client relationship,” said Graham. “We evolve with our clients, working as a unit, collaborating and planning together. It creates a synergy that elevates the work.”
“The team at Taco Truck Creative and our team here at Callaway have worked hand in hand in creating innovative, impactful and industry leading creative and engagement,” said Harry Arnett, senior vice president of marketing for Callaway. “They have been a major force in helping Callaway Golf’s incredible growth over the past four years, and we are excited to continue to build on the partnership and drive fans of our brand to continually engage with us and our products.”
Taco Truck Creative, founded by former employees of ad agency NYCA after NYCA closed in 2013, describes itself as a “creative agency specializing in integrated communications, creating traditional, digital and content ideas but no tacos.”
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
