One of the benefits and strengths of being part of a large broadcast group like Nexstar is the ability to share and duplicate successful ideas from one market and station to another. Three years ago, I wrote about a high school quiz show, Stateline Quiz Bowl by Bergstrom, on WTVO, the brainchild of Kelly Lattimer, […]
One of the benefits and strengths of being part of a large broadcast group like Nexstar is the ability to share and duplicate successful ideas from one market and station to another.
Three years ago, I wrote about a high school quiz show, Stateline Quiz Bowl by Bergstrom, on WTVO, the brainchild of Kelly Lattimer, WTVO-WQRF’s general manager.
WTVO is Mission Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate in Rockford, Ill., while WQRF is Nexstar’s Fox affiliate. The stations share studios.
A local TV high school quiz show combines the perfect venue for education awareness, community support, corporate PR, inventive local programming and station revenue.
And now the idea is being tested in Phoenix on the CW affiliate there, KASW. The half-hour show debuts on Feb. 1. It will feature students from local high schools in a test of their knowledge and give them a chance to win prizes.
Traci Wilkinson, KASW’s general manager said she heard about WTVO’s quiz show in June at Nexstar’s general managers meeting where some of the best sales ideas were presented to the group.
“I just love the idea,” said Wilkinson. “I just felt like it was a home run bringing that to this market. The education situation at Phoenix definitely needs to be addressed.”
Wilkinson said Lattimer had a road map in place since her quiz show was on the air for three years and counting.
Lattimer shared the rundown, show taping, production, talent, expenses and how she went about getting sponsors.
“Bergstrom was a key partner in her starting her show and I was starting really from scratch without having any type of sponsor involved,” said Wilkinson.
Bergstrom, a global company that designs and manufactures heavy-duty trucks and specialty vehicles headquartered in Rockford, jumped on board as the title sponsor for WTVO’s quiz show from the beginning.
“It’s a minimal investment to improve the community,” said Wes Cotton, Bergstrom’s general sales manager.
Wilkinson has lined up several sponsors so far, RSI Refrigeration School, Mathnasium, Risas Dental and Braces, and UTC Aerospace, and hopes to announce the title sponsor soon.
But Wilkinson did find a partner with experience conducting quiz shows, The Arizona Quizbowl Association, a small nonprofit.
“I really lucked out that there was that type of thing already happening. So that has put a great amount of stress off in having a partner that knows how to get that part of it done.”
Since KASW does not produce local news, Wilkinson needed to find someone to host the show.
She turned to a local radio DJ, Rich Berra of KISS-FM’s popular morning show. Not only did she gain a host, but someone with a passion for education, who can help promote the quiz show.
“He is just completely behind it so we couldn’t be happier with how it’s starting to pull together.”
The station has added a producer and videographers to help with the production of the quiz show.
“So that’s just been a great win all the way around,” said Wilkinson.
A win all the way around, indeed.
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