To reporters covering the role of broadcast television and radio during times of emergency:

I thought you might find of interest this email regarding coverage of the recent Oklahoma tornadoes by Griffin Communications-owned KWTV and the comments made by viewers on social media thanking the station for keeping them safe.

 

On May 6, the Oklahoma City DMA was again rocked by violent and unfortunately deadly storms.

As part of our service to the community, Oklahoma’s Own News 9 (KWTV), a Griffin Communications station, was in wall-to-wall coverage from 2:35 pm until 11 pm providing life-saving, vital severe weather information to Oklahomans. Additionally our coverage was carried live on our radio partners, Tyler Radio, a group of eight stations.

Even though it cost our station more than $80,000 in lost revenue and untold thousands in additional expenses, we are proud to have been able to provide this service to Oklahomans when they needed it the most. What could have turned into an unspeakable tragedy was partially avoided due to the warnings seen and heard from KWTV and other broadcast media in Oklahoma City. At the height of the storm, almost 90% of the households in the market were watching weather coverage.  

Below are some social media comments that we received for your advocacy efforts.

Please let me know if you need anything additional.

Sincerely,

Houston Hunt
Vice President of Marketing
Griffin Communications LLC
7401 North Kelley Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73111

 

Paola Montoya‎
You guys are awesome! Thank you for all that you do! Your crew had the best coverage and made me feel up to date at any point of time!

 

Jason Cherry‎
I know David Payne @tornadopayne and his news team had no trouble getting to sleep last night. Awesome Job! No one else comes even close to delivering the weather like this team. The accurate information, knowledge and coordination between David and his team on the ground is Astonishing! Along with the seamless live shots, weather radar maps and information that is provided to David as he is saving lives! I know we are not familiar with the team in the control room that is coordinating the storm of information that is coming in from the field, as well as the overwhelming amount of radar data that they must be deciphering through, but Thank You! I can't say enough great things about David! The intensity and urgency in which he presents the storm information to the listeners is unmatched! When I was growing up, and heard the term meteorologist, I thought of one man.....Gary England! @garyeok My kids will think of one as well.....David Payne! You guys saved lives yesterday! Unfortunately, we are just getting started this spring. Thank you @News9 for keeping us Safe!

 

Vanessa Avilez‎
Thank you very much David Payne and to the entire crew of news 9....thank you guys for what yall folks do ‪#‎news9alltheway‪#‎oklahomastrong

 

Robin Maldonado‎
News9, (all of you), I want to say thank you for all you do. Because of you, there was no lives lost last night. You guy's prepared Oklahoma for a horrible night but we have overcame again. Without the News 9 Team we would have been a boat without a paddle and I appreciate each and every one of you. My fiancée and I were stranded at my job for most of the night and had it not been for your live feed via your website, we wouldn't have been able to track the tornadoes near us. I cannot express my gratitude for what you guys do on the road, in the air and in the news room. Thank you all, you're phenomenal!

 

Carolyn Green Dillon‎
Thanks to the whole Channel 9 crew for making Oklahoma a safer place! David, you were excellent. Hope you have a voice this morning. 

 

Ray Adams
Well, I survived the floods, tornadoes, and tigers "oh my" but they say there are three more days of storms possible I'm thankful I didn't loose power, I was in the cellar twice with two cats and "Jack Sparrow" our puppy. I ran a power cord into the hole and was watching David Payne on KWTV - NEWS 9 on my laptop. Let's see what today brings "GOOD MORNING OKLAHOMA"

 

Halee Van Rosendale
Thank you for today.. You guys are awesome..

 

Renee Vinson‎
David and team, I thank you so much for your coverage of today's storms, your concern for the safety of Oklahoma citizens does not go unnoticed

 

Jennifer L Dixon Vaughn
Thank you so much for all your an tonight guys! David we had 4 house hold following you... we are so thankful! Nothing more upsetting than broadcast reporting damage while you still need to be alert....

just a note of something I noticed on May 6 2015 what a hectic day and night it had been For David Payne and the news 9 storm trackers as they had done to me the best job in the state at tracking the tornado threat from beginning to end but I would like to give a special that a boy to Mr Payne for spotting and warning people about the tornado on I35 with out a storm tracker just by radar great job saving people and showing me what to look for on radar and the learning experience I had this night great job news 9 weather team you indeed save lives God Bless you guy and gals in all you do!   

 

Regards,

Dennis Wharton
Executive Vice President, Communications

National Association of Broadcasters
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202 429 5350
www.nab.org
twitter.com/AirWharton