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KBIM-TV ending local newscastsKRQE will operate Roswell news bureau; final KBIM newscast to air FridayKBIM-TV, Roswell’s only local network news station, will air its final newscast Friday.Bill Anderson, general manager of Albuquerque’s CBS affiliate KRQE, which operates KBIM-TV, said Wednesday the decision was made to cut the Roswell broadcast this week. He added closing the station has been an option for some time.“It’ll be the last local newscast,” Anderson explained. “It’s certainly nothing that they’ve done. They’ve done everything right. It’s been an option throughout the fall as I’ve contemplated different budget scenarios.”Anderson explained that KRQE is already covering, and will continue to cover, southeastern New Mexico. He made the decision to cut the newscast to reduce costs and avoid redundant efforts.“I can’t do both,” he said. “I have to make some choices during these times.According to KBIM-TV general sales manager Gene Munsie, the station will still operate, with a news bureau based at thecurrent KBIM-TV facility in downtown Roswell. Only the local newscasts that run air at 5;30 p.m. and 10 p.m., will be eliminated.“We’re not going anywhere,” Munsie said.KBIM-TV will provide news via satellite feed of the statewide broadcast from KRQE. According to Anderson, KRQE has the ability to provide sufficient coverage of news events in southeastern New Mexico.“We’ll continue to have news presence there,” Anderson said. “We’ll have a news bureau there. We’re not leaving southeastern New Mexico.”Anderson said the station has become a luxury, and that to serve the needs of the company and the public, he believes it is necessary to cut the newscasts and provide the coverage, managed from afar without the human resources costs and other resources that KBIM-TV news staff uses, from Albuquerque.“I am doing this with a fundamental belief that we can reach that audience from Albuquerque, he explained. “It’s not a standalone business. It’s strategically linked to Albu-Daliy Record * Mark WilsonThe KBIM television station located in downtown Roswell.querque. We’re very much interdependent. That’s why it matters that we’re duplicating news.”He explained that a couple of factors led up to the decision to shut down the newscast. The first consideration, he said, is the faltering marketplace.“That’s part of it,” he explained. “Every company’s making adjustments these days.”Another part of it is the cost of delivery. Millions of dollars are being spent ondigital and high definition technology and delivery, he said.“We stop doing some things so we can afford to do other things,” Anderson noted.This will be the first time that the network has stopped any local newscasts. Anderson expressed empathy and gratitude for the newscasters he eliminated.“I would say it’s sad. They’re very professional,” he said. “This is really theirstation. I’m really proud of them. I know that they’re hurt and deeply disappointed. I would be, too.” Anderson said there were no problems with revenue or ratings at the station. He said KBIM-TV was doing well and they were ‘‘right on track.”“We’re very proud of those guys,” he added.KBIM-TV has been on the air for nearly 43 years and broadcasts across seven southeastern New Mexico counties.
Newspaper Details
Roswell Daily Record
Roswell, New Mexico, US
Thu, Dec 11, 2008
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 07 Dec 2021
Other Publications Near Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell Daily Record
