Coming Soon

Here's a sneak preview of some new things we're working on at KPLC.

Those of you who are wired up to watch our DTV signal may have noticed something new on 7.2. It's our new 24/7 local weather channel, "KPLC WeatherPlus." It employs all of the resources of KPLC and NBC to bring you a truly local weather source anytime you need it. No more sitting through "Weather on the 8's" or other such nonsense. We'll hopefully wrap up a deal with Cox Cable soon so that their digital subscribers in Lake Charles, Sulphur and DeRidder will be able to pick KPLC WeatherPlus up on digital cable channel 247 (get it? 24-7). By the way, this deal with Cox will also allow for continued carriage of KPLC's analog signal on their systems in both the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas, as well as introduction of our primary digital signal (7.1) to the Cox lineup in both cities.

Speaking of weather, if you haven't checked out our new weather blog (if you're reading this, I'd say odds are you already have), make sure you do so. As I write this, Tropical Storm Katrina is out in the Atlantic and will almost certainly enter the gulf. I checked in this morning, and Mike Griffin had posted the DEFINITIVE comprehensive analysis of this storm and its many projected paths. If you are a weather junkie like I am...bookmark our weather blog, because you'll get some really deep wx info from Mike, Curtis, and Wade that you won't find anywhere else (including WeatherUnderground). I'm really proud of what these guys have done with this blog...if you agree, post a response or drop them a line and let them know.

And a final weather note. Soon we'll be launching something new on the air. I won't tell you exactly what it is yet, except to say it's our newest "howitzer" in our weather analysis and presentation arsenal. VERY cool...stay tuned.

Also, yesterday I gave the green light to another very cool new service from KPLC to be launched sometime soon. It will be called "7 On Your Cell," and that's exactly what it is. It will be a way for you to bookmark a special KPLC site on your cellphone...that's right, your cellphone. It will have all the latest news, sports, and weather...including our Super Doppler Radar and 5-Day forecasts. It will work wherever your cellular network has a signal. Another way to help you keep in touch 24/7 no matter where you are.

And, our graphic and promotional wizard Tim Bourgeois is chairing a braintrust of brilliant and creative KPLC propellerheads in the creation of a brand-new local daily program on KPLC. It will be called "KPLC Midday," and will air M-F from 1130am-12noon. It will contain brief news and weather updates, but overall the show will be more entertainment, community and shopping-oriented...different from our regular newscasts. The sausage has yet to be stuffed into the casing on this one yet, but I can tell you that it will feature our own Mari Wilson and Dianna Mayo as hosts (two very familiar faces to KPLC viewers), and will also feature a bunch of great online-related "stuff" from our new Internet Director Meagan Kelleher. BTW, Meagan has a terrific blog of her own here on the site...if you haven't checked it out, do so. She's a fine writer with lots to say, and is at the helm of the rapidly-evolving "new" online-centric KPLC.

You'll notice that our content on kplctv.com is rapidly expanding. One of our newest additions is something one does not usually get "excited" about in the traditional sense...but we are very excited about bringing this new service to SWLA. You may have noticed already that on our "info banner" which runs at the bottom of the screen during our 10pm Nightcast, Sunrise, and noon news, we've added obituaries. Yes, KPLC is in the obituary business now. This is a service that we're proud to offer, and for which we've already gotten tremendous positive feedback. For a fixed price well below that of the average newspaper obituary (which runs once), loved ones can purchase an obit package which includes the name run in the banner at 10pm (the day before the obituaries run in the paper), again at Sunrise, and again at noon. The banner "steers" viewers to kplctv.com for more information. There, the obituaries are listed by participating funeral homes. Click on the name, and it takes you to that person's own page. The obituary can be as long as the family wants (no paying by the word as in the paper), up to two pictures can be included, we'll post a transcript of the eulogy, and we'll link to any special online pages offered by the funeral home, such as an online guest book. The obits will be archived with a search directory for a full year.

We think this is an idea whose time has come, and will provide a 21st-century way to advise loved ones here and around the globe of a person's passing, and offer a sensitive and non-abbreviated way to memorialize that person. The total cost for the package is $100, and can be charged to your credit card by participating funeral homes (who will also handle all the details). I hope that none of you will ever need to take advantage of this service anytime soon (or need someone to take advantage of it on your behalf), but if you do need it, we're here to help.

Shelley Brown's on her way up to Toledo. Congrats again, Shelley...we wish you all the best at WTOL and we're very proud of you. Same goes for KPLC alum Laila Morcos, who just got the nod to join the sales staff at powerhouse WWL Radio in New Orleans, where she's been holding forth on the air. And, great to hear from Jerry Modene on my "Mighty Voice" post. Jerry's another KPLC vet and fellow KMOX/Cards fan now working and playing in Tucson.