20 Years ago tonight FOX31 NEWS was launched.

20 years ago tonight KDVR launched FOX31 NEWS @ 9 O'Clock.  That newscast quickly overtook WB2 News @9 in the ratings race.  KDVR moved into the "FOX News & Technology Center" a few months before the newscast launch (they moved into the facility April 28, 2000).   Now 20 years later a lot has changed, FOX Television Stations, LLC sold KDVR in 2007 to Local TV, LLC who then merged with Tribune broadcasting a few years later, and then just this past December they were taken over by Nexstar Broadcasting.   Here is an article from kdvr.com talking about the anniversary.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/fox31-news-turns-20-a-look-back-at-our-first-night/

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO FOX 31 NEWS. 

Here is a look back at there first night on the air.

NBC Affilates Opt Out of 30 Rock/ 2020 Up fronts special

Most NBC Affiliates will not be showing the 30 Rock special on Thursday night on NBC, because most of the advertising during the special is for 'Peacock' NBC's new streaming service. 

In Denver 9NEWS will NOT be showing the special, all Tegna NBC stations are not airing the special.

Reports are that Grey television will also not be showing the special, however as of this afternoon the KKCO website was showing that 11 NEWS will be showing the special, stay tuned for updates on that.

All Scripps NBC stations including KOAA in Pueblo/Colorado Springs will be showing the special.

Here is an article from the hollywood reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-affiliates-opt-30-rock-upfront-special-1303177

Coverage of the Denver Protests over the George Floyd killing.

The Denver TV Stations have been covering the rally & protests in downtown Denver the past 4 days.  
While things have been peaceful during the day, once darkness comes things get crazy. Here is a rundown so far....    This post will be updated to see what happens tonight.

• On Thursday night May 28th the first night of unrest in Denver, most of the TV stations stayed on the air until 11:30PM.  KCNC was the last station on the air, going off at 11:56PM.
• On Friday night May 29th someone pointed a laser at the Denver news helicopter, the FBI is now investigating (the helicopter is a news share agreement between KUSA, KTVD, KMGH, KCNC, KDVR & KWGN each station controls what the helicopter does depending on what month it is). Story Here.  KUSA was the last station on the air, going off at 11:35PM.   
• On Saturday night May 30th, some of the protesters smashed out the windows on a KDVR/KWGN news truck and looted the vehicle they took some camera gear.  KDVR was the last station on the air last night going off at 11:59PM.   Denver started a curfew last night at 8PM.       *I'm sorry but I don't currently have any info on how the Colorado Springs/Pueblo stations or the Grand Junction stations are covering things--if someone has any info on what stations are doing what please email us: coloradonewscenter@gmail.com  Thank-you*

CBS Layoffs have hit Denver.

CBS4 Traffic Reporter Joel Hillan is no longer with KCNC, he was part of a massive group of layoffs at CBS Television Stations Inc & CBS NEWS.  

His last day was Tuesday May 27th, 2020.   As of Tuesday night his bio was already scrubbed from the stations website.   He came to CBS4 from KJCT, prior to that he was at KTVQ in Billings,MT & KPAX-TV in Missoula, MT.







Photo: KCNC/CBS

KMGH now avaliable in La Plata County on DirecTV.

After some stumbling DirecTV/AT&T have now added KMGH ABC7 to it's southwestern subscribers.  La Plata County in southwest Colorado is part of the Albuquerque designated market area, therefore most residents down there receive NBC,ABC,CBS, FOX, My Network TV, & theCW from New Mexico. 

The Denver & Pueblo stations don't cater to this area of the state because it's not in there DMA's. (Designated Market Area).    As we have covered here in the past folks in southwest Colorado are not big fans of New Mexico news and once again they seem to have won a small battle.  So, Trade KOAT-TV for KMGH-TV.


Here is the article from the Durango Herald: https://durangoherald.com/articles/319942     

9NEWS Needs a bigger box.

9NEWS Needs a bigger box for it's 3 anchors.

Check this out from our friends over at FTVLive:
https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2020/4/15/oopsy

KDVR & KWGN have a new GM.

In early March, Nexstar Media announced a new GM for KDVR/KFCT & KWGN.   It's a familiar name to some here in Denver, Brian Gregory.  He was the VP&GM of KMGH from 2008-2014, prior to that he was the news director of KMGH from 2000-2008.

He comes to KDVR/KFCT & KWGN from Nexstar station WNCN in Raleigh, NC.  He officially started Tuesday March 10th 2020.   I believe he will be a great fit for the two stations, it will allow the two stations to keep the ratings momentum going.

Brian Gregory replaces Joan Barrett who was the VP & GM of the two stations from fall of 2016 to February of 2020. She moved on to Tegna's WCNC in Charlotte.