Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek WKYC's Russ Mitchell & Cle Mayor Justin Bibb There’s no denying the numbers. Local television viewership isn’t what it used to be. The days when families gathered around the 6 p.m. newscast as part of a nightly routine have largely faded, replaced by streaming platforms, social media feeds, and an endless scroll of national headlines competing for attention.  The audience has splintered, habits have shifted, and the metrics we once relied on to define success have changed dramatically. But if you look beyond the ratings charts and into the real impact of what local journalism does every day, a different story emerges—one that underscores just how essential it remains. At WKYC, that reality is visible in ways that can’t be measured solely by Nielsen or Comscore numbers. It’s in the phone calls from viewers who need help navigating a confusing situation. It’s in the tips that come in at all hours, often from people who don’t know where else to turn. It’s in the tru...

By Frank Macek As newsrooms across the country continue to juggle relentless deadlines, evolving platforms, shrinking margins, and rising expectations, one truth remains constant—strong producers are the backbone of local television news. They are the conductors of the daily symphony, balancing editorial judgment, logistics, storytelling, and leadership, often under extraordinary pressure. That is why TEGNA’s Producer-in-Residence (PIR) program is not just a training initiative, but one of the most important long-term investments the company makes in the future of local journalism. As the Producer-in-Residence program gears up for a new year, WKYC will welcome two Producers-in-Residence. The addition is notable not only for the newsroom as a whole, but particularly for producing teams navigating the demands of a fast-paced, multi-platform environment. The Producer-in-Residence program is designed with one core mission: to identify, develop, and support the next generation of broadcast ...

By Frank Macek The great unraveling of the local television broadcasting workforce didn’t happen in one dramatic moment. It didn’t arrive with a corporate memo, a breaking-news ticker, or a major newsroom shakeup. It happened slowly, quietly, and then all at once.  Over the last decade—especially in the last five years—I’ve watched the industry I love lose people at every level and from every corner: producers, directors, photojournalists, anchors, engineering veterans, editors, creative staff, and digital teams who once saw broadcasting as a lifelong career. The exits are no longer surprising. They’re expected. And more than that, they’re telling us something we’ve been reluctant to confront. Why are so many people walking away from an industry once defined by loyalty and longevity? In my view, the answer isn’t simple, but it is unmistakable: local TV no longer looks like the business many of us signed up for. The job changed, the expectations changed, the economics changed, and i...

By Frank Macek In every newsroom, there are the familiar faces viewers see each day—the anchors, the reporters, the meteorologists guiding us through another unpredictable Cleveland forecast. But the real heartbeat of a station like WKYC lies with the people you rarely see: the photographers and editors. They are the unsung heroes who make the stories come alive, the ones who quietly transform chaos into clarity and turn everyday news into something that connects us all. At WKYC, the photographers are often the first to hit the road and the last to come back. When the rest of Northeast Ohio is tucked inside avoiding the blinding snow, these men and women are out there—battling the elements with cameras slung over their shoulders, trudging through drifts and ice to capture the story for the evening newscast. The cold cuts through layers of clothing, the wind howls across the lakefront, and yet, they stand firm, focused on getting the perfect shot that will help viewers understand the ...

By Frank Macek In an age when trust in the media feels like it’s collapsing under its own weight, local television news still manages to stand tall. National networks are often viewed through partisan lenses, and social media has become a noisy, confusing stream of half-truths and hot takes.  Yet when a storm rolls in, when a city council vote affects taxes, or when there’s an emergency unfolding down the street, viewers still turn to their local newscast. That quiet, enduring trust may be local TV’s greatest remaining asset — but it’s also one that needs careful protection if it’s going to last. The numbers tell a revealing story. Surveys over the past year show that local television remains one of the most trusted news sources in America. Roughly three-quarters of viewers say they trust their local news stations — a significantly higher rate than national outlets or digital-only brands. Studies from the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) and the Radio Television Digital News ...

By Frank Macek Television has been my world for a long time. I’ve watched it transform from the days when families gathered around a single glowing box in the living room to today’s fragmented media landscape where every person in the household streams something different on their own device. Through all the seismic changes—from cable’s rise to the digital revolution—one truth has remained constant: sports are the heartbeat of television. In this article, I want to take a closer look at why live sports remain the last great force holding broadcast TV together, how local stations like WKYC depend on them for survival, and where the future may be headed as streaming giants try to chip away at the very foundation of television’s most loyal audience. The Power of Live Events When you think about it, most television can be consumed on your own schedule. Miss last night’s episode of your favorite drama? Fire up Hulu, Peacock, or Paramount+ and you’re caught up. Want to binge an entire se...

By Frank Macek Local television has been a trusted source of information for decades. In recent years, though, it has faced a major challenge: attracting younger viewers. Millennials and Generation Z consume content differently, and their habits are reshaping how media organizations must adapt. For local TV stations, like WKYC Studios, winning back these viewers requires innovation, flexibility, and an honest look at what younger audiences want. One of the first hurdles is perception. Many younger people don’t see local television as being made for them. They may view it as their parents’ or grandparents’ platform—reliable, yes, but not one that resonates with their fast-paced, tech-savvy lifestyles. To shift that perception, stations need to move beyond traditional evening newscasts and create content that speaks directly to younger demographics. And that means meeting audiences where they are. Younger viewers live on their phones, scrolling TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube far more tha...

By Frank Macek In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the term “CTV” is popping up more frequently in conversations about television’s future. But what exactly is Connected TV, and why is it such a critical piece of the puzzle for local broadcasters like WKYC-TV? Let’s unpack what CTV means, how it differs from traditional TV, and why it’s becoming the cornerstone of how local stations will survive—and thrive—in the streaming era. CTV stands for Connected TV—televisions that connect to the internet to stream digital video content. This includes smart TVs with built-in internet access and devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation that connect regular TVs to the web. Through these platforms, viewers access streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Peacock—and yes, local news apps and FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels, many of which carry content from local affiliates like WKYC Studios in Cleveland. In short, CTV is how ...

By Frank Macek For a long time, local TV news had a playbook that rarely changed. You had your set air times, polished anchor desks, and a 30-minute rundown of top stories. It worked—and it worked well. But those days? They’re quickly fading. Viewers have moved, habits have shifted, and stations like WKYC Studios in Cleveland are completely rethinking how we do local news in the streaming age. Here’s the thing: the local newscast isn’t going away. But it is being rebuilt—and WKYC is one of the stations helping lead that charge. Why We Had to Change Let’s be real—nobody’s sitting around waiting for a 6 p.m. newscast anymore. People want their news now , on their phone, in a quick video, or as part of a live stream they can tune into whenever it’s convenient. Younger viewers, in particular, aren’t tied to the living room TV—they’re watching while riding the bus, grabbing coffee, or scrolling at midnight. That’s why just sticking with “what’s always worked” isn’t good enough. To stay re...

By Frank Macek For decades, every city had one. The trusted face. The commanding voice. The name you instinctively turned to in times of crisis or celebration. They were the TV news legends—local anchors whose presence in living rooms was as familiar as family. But in 2025, as media habits shift and generations change, we have to ask: Is the era of the TV news legend over? The short answer? Probably. Local TV anchors once held a unique position in American culture. They weren’t just broadcasters; they were institutions. Think of Walter Cronkite at the national level or names like Dick Goddard, Doug Adair, and Romona Robinson in Cleveland. These were journalists who stayed rooted in one city, building long-term trust with their communities over decades. When they retired, it wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a cultural event. Depiction of Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw & Peter Jennings Take WKYC in Cleveland, for example. Over the years, the station has been home to some of Northea...