Sensationalism, prevalent in many Lower 48 newscasts, is not a problem here, adds MacDonald. With a staff of 16, including four weekday anchors, Channel 11's news covers events in Anchorage, South Central and rural Alaska. Back then, the newscasts were only an electronic regurgitation of the daily newspapers. But as the need for a good local newscast increased, the news staff grew and our broadcast equipment got better. People started to take us more seriously.
Credibility is the most important thing to viewers and advertisers.
As the sole commercial broadcaster in Juneau, Channel 8 KJUD has been the only television station offering local advertising for the past 11 years. KU general manager Elizabeth Arnett says network programming is received via satellite and taped for playback. The station receives prime-time shows and network broadcast specials free of charge in return for market exposure and commercial air play. In fact, she adds, ABC pays the station a small monthly stipend for carrying network programs. This type of dual-network arrangement gives Channel 8, whose signal covers only Juneau, crucial positioning for local advertisers.