TV Q&A: Did KDKA-TV debut a new set?
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Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.
Q: When Jon Delano interviewed Kamala Harris on Oct. 1, it looked like he was on a different set. I do not remember seeing that screen set before. Is it new?
— Barb Jerry, Murrysville
Rob: My understanding is that set – a wall with a screen the reporter stands in front of and interacts with — has been at KDKA since the 2023 renovation. It’s part of the little-used newsroom anchor desk set. This set with the big screen is not used that often.
Q: Maggie Smolka left WTAJ anchor to accept a new position in Pittsburgh. Do you know what that is?
— John, Martinsburg
Rob: I messaged Smolka several weeks ago to ask that same question, but she never responded. (It was unclear from her social media post about leaving WTAJ if she took a job working in TV in Pittsburgh or in another field in Pittsburgh.)
My understanding is she’s not going to KDKA-TV. The news directors of WTAE-TV and WPXI-TV did not respond when I asked if she was joining either of those TV stations.
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Q: Do you know if there is any evidence that these TV ads by politicians are effective in gaining votes? I realize this is anecdotal, but everybody I know will change/mute the channel if an ad comes on with a person running for office who they don’t like.
— Zach, via email
Rob: Alas, “everybody I know” is not a reliable indicator and as Zach points out it is merely anecdotal. The best evidence that political ads must work to some degree is the continued existence of political ads. If they didn’t work, why would candidates spend millions of dollars on TV ads?
For more specific proof, TV still has more mass reach than other platforms despite its decline and with more ads moving to streaming. A 2006 study found TV advertising “had strong, but short-term effects on voter preferences.” A more recent study found that “despite increasing partisanship in the electorate, there are still persuadable voters that respond to television advertising — especially in down-ballot elections, where voters have less information about candidates.” Politico.com reported in February another study found that “some ads are definitely more effective at influencing vote choice than others … but what voters respond to year-over-year is far less clear.”
Q: I noticed that FETV Channel 245 (Family Entertainment Television) has been removed and moved to HD Channel 742 on Verizon’s FiOS TV. I checked my message center and there was no notification there of this change, so I’m asking if you can find out if any other FiOS channels have been moved as well.
— Joe, Greenfield
Rob: Per a Verizon spokesman, information about the change was displayed in the FiOS TV message center from June 28 through July 31: “On or after July 1, 2024, FETV will be available on channel 742 in High definition (HD), a higher resolution and quality than the current standard-definition (SD) video. On or after August 1, 2024, channel 245 SD will be removed. If you are already using a HD Set-Top Box (STB) no action is needed. If you are using a SD STB, please visit Verizon.com/FiosTVOne or contact 800-verizon (800-837-4966) for information on HD STB models and upgrade options.”
This change only affected FETV.