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KEYE hires new sports guy
KEYE Channel 42 News is trading in a Baldwin for a Ballou on its sports desk.
Austin’s CBS station has chosen not to renew sports anchor Skip Baldwin’s contract, so he will depart KEYE on Aug. 10. Baldwin, a University of Texas graduate and 2007 Texas Associated Press award winner, came to KEYE in November 2004 from the Fox station in Nashville. He also has covered sports in San Diego, New Orleans, Midland and Waco.
We’ve been calling and e-mailing Baldwin for two days, but so far we have not heard back from him. We’ve seen him on the air, so we know he’s here. We’ll let you know if we talk to him.
“Skip is a wonderful man who has worked very hard, and we very much appreciate everything he’s contributed,” said KEYE news director Suzanne Black, who declined to say why she’s replacing him.
Bob Ballou, sports anchor/reporter for KENS, the Belo-owned CBS station in San Antonio, has been hired as KEYE’s new sports anchor. He joins the station the week of Aug. 13, but his on-air debut date has not yet been determined.
“Bob’s a very energetic guy,” Black said. “He has covered NBA championship teams, but the driving force for why we asked him to come work with us is his love of local sports.”
Originally from Dallas, Ballou is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He interned with WFAA in Dallas and worked in Columbia, Mo., for four years before joining KENS.
In the May local Nielsen ratings, KEYE’s newscast was ranked fourth at 5 p.m. and third at 6 and 10 p.m. The Belo-owned ABC affiliate, KVUE, is No. 1.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment Categories: Local news
Comments
By c.j.
August 23, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
I liked Skip and thought he added a spark in the way he delivered the sports. Better than Allison Smith who I really wish they'd relegate her to knitting or something. She uses the same dead, lame adjectives to describe everything. This Ballou character seems to be ok too and I like his wit. I hope Skip finds a gig in a larger market doing what he does well and thats' delivering the sports news.
By Richard D.
August 6, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry to hear of Skip Baldwin's departure. He's a great talent and a fine person. Even my wife, who is not an avid sports fan, looks forward to Skip's broadcasts. He will be missed! Skip can make hockey interesting!
By BGW750
August 4, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
I live in the far far south of Austin and can choose either Austin or San Antonio television. I actually choose to watch San Antonio BECAUSE of Bob Ballou's sports whenever I can. I think its GREAT that he's coming to a local station! I liked Skip as well, but it will be a definite step up to have Bob Ballou. Oh and hey Rey619, Florez stinks on ESPN just as he did on CBS.
By Don R.
August 1, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
I really like Skip Baldwin actually. I watch KEYE every night. He's got a nice energetic personality, and I enjoy his energy. You can tell that he really loves Texas deeply.
The programming of the sports report is a completely different story. They'll spend forever on reports following aged UT sports alumni across the globe, yet spend a split second covering the games of our two texas MLB teams or even RRE. Same for all other pro sports. I love college sports, but it's not the only thing going on. I feel the sports department totally misses coverage on big sports events. Someone needs to remind KEYE that Austin is NOT the sleepy little city it used to be - we've got transplants as well as natives who have expanded their interest outside of UT.
Finally, I'm not a sexist by any means, and I support women in sports 100%, but it doesn't come across that Allison Smith really is all that into sports. UT could win the championship or there could be a new hot dog eating champion and she shows the same passion for both. At least Skip gets fired up about things.
By Dallas
August 1, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Bob Ballou rocks as a sports anchor!!!
By Joel Barber
August 1, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Three reasons why you are dead last in the news.
(1) The weather guys dominates the news. And who cares about which is the best hamburger. There is plenty of local and national news but you guys insist on fluff and make the weather guy the big shot.
(2) There are plenty of baseball fans in Austin, many of whom are from other cities. What's wrong with giving scores of at least the Texas teams and the tidbits surrounding those tams. Oh ... wait, we need more weather updates every 10 minutes. Your sports really is bad. Your directo maybe likes knitting?
(3) You have two terrific announcers, but they dont give the news ...not really ... maybe 10-12 mintues of good stuff/
By rey619
July 31, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
Maybe they should bring back Flores. Oh that's right...he's doing Sportscenter. He wouldn't even give them the time of day.
By Winchester
July 31, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Now can we get rid of Dennis De La Pena? It's painfull to watch him buthcer a broadcast.