Channel 7 Changes

TECHNICAL CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE:

After Oprah finishes her show on September 9, 2011....the early-evening editions of Action News need to start at 4:30 and end at 6:30 (right before World News with Diane Sawyer). I do not know how the viewership ratings are for the current 7pm edition, but I know for myself, I'm through with the news after the World News until 11pm. I am still for the 2-hour block, but it needs to start earlier.

The orange graphic layout that Channel 7 is using for news bumpers and the actual news needs to go. Channel 7 nationwide is KNOWN for their nice and crisp blue graphics, like sister stations in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York use. That orange graphic is all wrong. I think the music should go as well. Especially when other sister Scripps-owned news stations are using the SAME type of graphics/music. Updating music to fit the 2010 decade is not the problem....but using music that sounds like it belongs in a movie IS the problem.

If Channel 7 does indeed follow through with the 4:30-6:30 schedule, they need to include traffic segments during the first half-hour. Channel 4, the main competitor that is currently said to be beating Ch. 7, does a great job with their afternoon traffic updates during the newscast. Channel 7 needs to follow suit with this.

The live news stream that is offered online to those of us who are not in the Metro Detroit area needs to either make a move or sit it on down. I grow tired of not being able to view the newscasts properly (no Circle 7 symbol in the lower right hand corner, audio/video off, stream offline for weeks at a time). I realize this is a relatively new technology with news stations nationwide, however, this is the only station that offers a stream with this many issues.

I have heard reports that the station has been running low on funds....the main reason why they had/have to let go of the "oldie-but-goodie" anchors. I understand Channel 7 has been known for doing good works around the Metro Detroit area....however, the main job of this station is to bring the people of Metro Detroit a good newscast each and every day. With this being said, cut down on the sponsorships and different activities being done until the money bank is built back up. Then, and only then, should extra-curricular activities be carried out once again.

There have been complaints with Channel 7 putting their own programming in the same block where ABC favorites are supposed to be shown. For instance, the Woodward Dream Cruise was televised in place of the NASCAR race this past August 21. An alternative channel was given; however, some viewers were still upset. If it is at all possible to move around different local festivities planned to be televised in order not to bump national events, make that move.

Commercials and bumpers for Action News should be made in the type of way they were done in the 1980s/early 1990s: showing the Action News staff as human beings that could have a little fun, just like the viewers.

When someone is filling in for an anchor or weather/sports reporter, PLEASE state that you are doing so when you introduce yourself. So many viewers are worried that their favorite personalities were fired.

Anchors and reporters need to go back to wearing the "Circle 7" pins, as the sister station in Los Angeles does. Channel 7 is a brand of news that is well-known throughout the country. Show pride in your workplace!


PERSONALITY CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE:

Sean Ash had the right of doing the morning and noon weather portion when Dave Rexroth took over Jerry Hodak's position. For some ODD reason, Keenan Smith was brought in and placed ahead of Sean. I may be totally oblivious to the way "show business" works....but in my eyes, there is a certain chain of command that needs to be put in place. Those that have worked with the station longest should get first dibs on the prime spots during the week. Dave Rexroth rightfully took over Jerry Hodak's place on weekday evenings....and Sean should've taken HIS place on weekday mornings. I am guessing Keenan was brought in to add some "color" to the mornings. Although, even speaking as an African-American young male, I enjoyed the morning team better when it was Vic Faust, Alicia Smith, Erin Nicole, and Sean Ash. They had a better chemistry with one another.

I do not feel Stephen Clark is best suited as the head anchor at the station. There have been complaints of him writing about his personal political interests on his Twitter account that many Action News viewers read. Also, some do not like his (sometimes forced) promotion of Twitter (backchannel) on the people and foundation of Action News.

The last point leads me into the next: I understand Bill Bonds cannot be replaced....but it would be nice if the "suits" at Channel 7 could find a young man in his late 20s or 30s to become the head anchor of Action News that replicates the ideas and philosophy that Bill had. For example, a native Detroiter, a person for the people who asks the hard questions, etc.

I do not know who's idea it was to get rid of older favorites such as Eric Smith, Robbie Timmons, Jerry Hodak.....and possibly soon to be Don Shane and Diana Lewis. SPEAKING OF Diana Lewis, WHY was she moved from her 11pm spot?! That woman had been doing 11pm since she started at the station in 1976! If she was moved on her terms, fine. However if it was NOT her decision, that is like forcing a woman out of her home she lived in for 34 years.

Christy McDonald's case was handled unfairly as well. It was reported that she was let go for not being able to work full-time. Viewers only saw her part of the time anyways, so that was a case I couldn't understand. If I knew no better, it seems as if she was coerced to leave by ways of an ultimatum the station knew she would reject: choosing work over her children.

Dave LewAllen needs to be upgraded to a main weekday evening anchor. He has been working with the station for 22 years, yet why is he still working as a reporter and weekend evening anchor?

A young Tom Leyden protйgй by the name of Brad Galli needs to become the third sports anchor. I feel Tom's pain of having to work up to 16 days straight whenever Don Shane is on leave.

On holidays, the reporters need to have a crack at the anchor desk. Anchors that work during their regular times (such as Glenda Lewis) should NOT have to work on days such as Christmas as well. Tom Wait, Smita Kalokhe, Brandon Truttling, Kimberly Clark, and Bill Proctor are just a few of the reporters that would be a perfect fit for the anchor desk.

Finally, Channel 7 needs to hire and to keep homegrown anchors and reporters to work for Action News. Those like Christy McDonald, JoAnne Purtan, Carolyn Clifford, Glenda Lewis, Dave LewAllen, etc.....people who are originally from the Detroit area. Viewers will like and appreciate that most of all.

It takes two people to tango, and even more to run a news station. I love and care about the Detroit area, and I know how important Channel 7 has been to Southeast Michigan over the past 60 years. This petition has been created to assist in getting Channel 7 back for the people of this region.

DISCLAIMER: I have no affiliation with the station or the staff that works there. This petition aforementioned was all fact or my opinion and should not be blamed on anyone else. I have no problem coming into the station and speaking about these points of interest with all of the staff and/or the executive members. Get in touch with me! Do not steal my ideas without credit being given where it is due.