KFBB

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

I was constantly pushed beyond the limits any human can possibly achieve. On my *first day*, I was told to turn a PKG and a VOSOT on a separate topic, in addition to MMJing a live shot. Mind you this was my first TV job, and I previously had no experience being live nor did I ever have to day-turn a PKG. I missed my live shot by roughly 30 seconds, as I was quite literally running to get to my live location. I'm in my second market now, and know it is generally not acceptable to miss slot, but this was my FIRST DAY. There are no photographers, so I was completely solo. My ND told me if I ever missed slot again, I would not be able to go live for the remainder of my two year contract. She added that "some people just can't handle the pressure." That was my first day, and it only got worse from there.

I was overworked and underpaid. That is *somewhat* understandable or expected in a first market, but this station limits your resources so severely, and hardly ever encourages its employees, that you always feel drained. One time, I told my ND that I did not feel safe going live at a certain location (there were a plethora of reason: it was on a busy road with no shoulder, we were not provided any vests- even after I asked for them-, and it was dark). My ND responded to my concerns with an "I don't care." That was the last straw for me. Also, management plays favorites. That becomes abundantly clear within the first 15 minutes you step into the newsroom. Their retention rate is terrible, but they aren't willing to make changes to improve that score.

I will say that the people of Montana, and The Treasure State itself, are BEAUTIFUL. Although my experience with KFBB was negative, the people and place almost made up for it. I would highly recommend working at any of Cowles Montana Media's competitors!

Don't get me wrong, working here is NOT easy. It's a small market, and we're behind in the ratings by far. But, most of the people who work there genuinely care about their job and the product. Megan Lewis can be a bit overwhelming with her demands, but is generally reasonable and cares about her employees.
The anchor team is young, with the main female anchor a "lifer." She can be a perfectionist, but helps reporters/producers a lot whenever we need it.
Most of the newsroom drama comes from reporters who spend too much time together outside of work.
Cowles is a family-owned company, but sometimes it feels like they forget about their Montana stations. Communication is not always great, and it shows in our product.

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

There's a serious lack of resources - beyond just starter market struggles. They do not have photogs. They're behind our competitors in almost everything and it's not even close. There's not a budget to get content done that you want. It's an overall negative work environment and often tension and drama throughout the newsroom. The people who have been at the station awhile are a bit controlling. Nobody wants to stay in a small market, but nobody ESPECIALLY wants to stay in THIS small market.

The pay is barely livable (as in, you qualify for food stamps) and the town is horrific. The only upside to coming here is that it gives you experience to get somewhere else. If you have nothing else, I would take it. The communities and people are really nice outside of the actual station. If you have other offers, I would choose those over KFBB.