What The SJL Story was in Hawaii!

(Editor’s Note: A few of you emailed me asking what the KHON story was that I referred to several days ago. It is a relatively old story that made its way around the national trade papers. In January, 2006, SJL purchased the Fox affiliate in Hawaii KHON. KHON was the leading station in the islands and had the number one newscast in every time period... forever. This past June KHON dropped to number 2 at 10 P.M. They remain number 1 in all other news segments, but according to media watchers in the islands, eroding.

One of SJL’s first decisions was to order the current general manager to reduce the staff by about a third. He chose to resign rather than carry out that order. His decision prompted 37 year anchor Joe Moore, to deliver the following editorial which was reprinted in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

"This has been a difficult day for most of us here at KHON2. It was the final day on the job for our general manager, Rick Blangiardi, who refused to carry out the mass firings of over one-third of our station employees, as ordered by our new owners, who take over tomorrow.

The firings are not a matter of cutting excess fat to improve efficiency; they will be a butchering of an already lean work force that will remove muscle, bone and vital organs.

A small percentage of people will be replaced by automation. The rest will severely reduce our ability to serve the community in the manner in which you, and we, have become accustomed.

The new owners recently changed the name of their company from SJL to Montecito. It is a virtual company, with no office building, that specializes in buying and selling TV stations.

Their business plan for KHON2 calls for an immediate, drastic, across-the-board reduction of personnel in order to slash the payroll. ...

In short, it is not a plan used by a quality broadcast company to foster a long-term commitment to its employees or the viewers it is charged with serving.

It is the sincere hope of all of us who have worked long and hard to make this TV station what it is today, that the departure of Rick Blangiardi -- who stood up for us,while he was standing tall for quality television -- it is our hope that his departure will not be in vain, and that our new owners will reconsider their draconian plan, and pledge to the people of this state that operating KHON in the best interests of the people of Hawaii is not only their No. 1 goal, but also their No. 1 priority."

Let’s move 6 months later (June 28, 2006) after the staff reduction and the installation of the money saving automation. Better yet… let KHON anchor Joe Moore tell you in his own words just as he shared it with his viewers. (He must have a damn good contract or doesn't give a...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfNuk6eL49M

Erie could have told Honolulu this would happen. Just as a side note, there is nothing wrong with automation as long as you have the right equipment and it works. However, I have seen a few cut off heads at WSEE from naked robotic cameras gone wild. If SJL wants to share their version of the story or comment, I will post it. (With a real name please)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.” FCC www.dtv.gov

Just 9 Days To Go Before WSEE DT Channel 16 Construction Permit Expires.