KUTV happy with Main Street site

Now that Ch. 2 has had its studio on Main Street for several months, how has it worked out?

According to news director Steve Charlier, "It is good for the economy to have a TV station on Main Street," plus he believes a recent ratings increase is tied directly to the new location.

Even if hecklers and people with no shame often perform crazy antics behind the anchors, or whoever might be doing a stand-up report outside.

"We built the studio knowing that people have freedom of speech," Charlier said, "but the viewers don't always know that. We do often ask the people outside to step back and not interfere with the reporter doing his work. Everyone who has been asked has complied — except one. And he admitted he was trying to get publicity for a Web site.

"We could drop a screen behind the anchors and block these people, but I think we have an obligation now to both the viewers and the people in the city. You can't arrest someone for walking on the sidewalk. Some people would like that.

"The first few nights we had some problems doing live shots. The first night some people outside tried to get a security officer to react. I invited them into my office, and they admitted they were doing it as a publicity stunt."