From KOHD's website:

Changes to the local television landscape in Central Oregon, and the broadcast industry overall, have been significant during the last three years. In September of 2007, KOHD-TV launched local news programming poised for a major challenge against a competitor entrenched in Bend for more than thirty years. The station moved aggressively into the market with a talented team and all the tools required for success.

Unfortunately, KOHD News viewer's habits are not reflected positively in Nielson ratings. Factor in the dramatic impact of the economic conditions since The Great Depression, we now are taking the next logical step and changing our news product that better matches the current trend of how people get their news.

The result, after careful thought and review, KOHD-TV has made the decision to discontinue the station's current schedule of news programming. KOHD will air its last regularly scheduled newscast in its current form at 11 PM on March 5th. However, a news team will remain at KOHD, providing solid local coverage for the Bend market with news and weather updates - both on-air and online - throughout the day. These updates will air more frequently than the current long form shows, including reports every half hour in the morning, weather updates every hour during the day, and news updates again in the evening at 5, 6 and 7pm. At 11pm there will be a 10 minute broadcast that will give viewers all the day's local news, weather and sports.

KOHD will continue to air your favorite ABC prime time, daytime and weekend sports programming. I want to thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Jerry Upham
KOHD General Manager

OMC reported on these changes last night.

When the ax falls on KOHD tomorrow, the once booming city of Bend will be reduced to having only one full-time TV news station. Employees at the ABC affiliate were informed this morning that the station will become a Bend bureau for KEZI, Chambers Communications' sister station in Eugene. Bend employees will then create local packages for KEZI-produced Bend cut-ins.

Executives at KOHD and KEZI aren't yet talking, but information that we've learned, some from sources who were specifically instructed not to talk to blogs about this news, is that there will be three "one-man bands" in Bend and an anchor/producer hosting KOHD cut-ins from Eugene. We hope to have more information after laid-off employees cash their severance checks tomorrow.

KOHD launched as the United States' first HD television station to be built from the ground up in September 2007. Chambers paid an ambitious $8.5 million at auction for the station's FCC license in 2006. Their 11,000 square foot facility will now be used as KEZI's Bend bureau a facility for filing Bend stories off to Eugene for production, if not also a shrine to media industry and Bend industry hopes during the city's population boom and before the advertising recession.

KOHD cut its weekend newscasts in a major reshuffling last summer and rearranged its evening news lineup as recently as a month ago. At the station's last Christmas party, employees were told that Chambers was committed to maintaining KOHD's news operations without cuts through 2010. KOHD equipment will now be moved to Eugene, which may enable KEZI to become that market's first station to produce newscasts in HD.

The Bend TV news market is also served by NBC affiliate KTVZ, which airs morning, evening and late newscasts each weekday, as well as half-hour shows at 6 and 11 pm on weekends. The station also produces a weekday half-hour at 10 pm on Fox affiliate and sister station KFXO. CBS affiliate KBNZ simulcasts Portland sister station KOIN's newscasts with one-minute local cut-ins.

In addition to KOHD and KEZI, Eugene-based Chambers Communications also owns KDRV in Medford and its semi-satellite KDKF in Klamath Falls, as well as Chambers Productions in Eugene and Chambers Cable in Sunriver.

KOHD's last locally produced newscast will air tomorrow at 11 pm.

UPDATE (3/6, 7:03 am): In the absence of further communication from Chambers Communications, we're unsure to handle KOHD News Director Jerry Upham's email opposing the term "bureau." Since we haven't received an alternative to this word used by employees for the new relationship between KOHD and KEZI, we'll simply say that, to our understanding, KOHD will operate as a facility that three people will file stories out of. Those stories will then be sent to Eugene for production and anchoring, and will appear on KOHD as news updates. If anyone would like to help us fill in the details, please contact oregonmediagmail [dot] com. Thank you.

KOHD in Bend this week has swapped its 6 pm newscast and its 5:30 airing of ABC World News, realizing an opportunity to become the only locally produced news in the 5:30 time slot, General Manager Jerry Upham tells OMC.

KTVZ runs NBC Nightly News at that time, while KBNZ simulcasts big-sister KOIN's Portland news.

KOHD has also moved its interview segment, "Direct Connect," featuring questions sent in by viewers, from 6:30 to 5:30, helping to emphasize that newscast's locality.

Chris McKee

Chris McKee, senior producer at KOHD in Bend, is leaving the station in January to become the Roseburg bureau reporter for Eugene's KMTR. He tells OMC:

It's going to be tough to leave KOHD for sure. I've worked with an awesome group of people who are totally dedicated and work incredibly hard. Having help start the station, I think I'll always feel like I'm a part of KOHD... even though I'm leaving. I've got nothing but support from my co-workers. I'm excited to move on to a different chapter in my career and working with the team at KMTR. It's going to be fun getting to know Roseburg and its surrounding communities. I'm excited to step out from the producing role, getting to tell stories as a reporter now.

Everything is going well at KOHD. The station hasn't made any new cuts since the major ones announced in April. Management has expressed the positive message that KOHD will definately survive the "tough economic times" and continue to make strides as a leader in the Central Oregon news scene and community. I would argue that KOHD has one of the most streamlined newsrooms in the state. Everyone there, literally everyone... from each production assistant to the news anchors know how to shoot, capture and edit video. Our assignment editor doubles as a producer, finding stories, setting them up, writing them, editing video for them. Meanwhile, some of our news staff doubles as assistant engineers, fixing computer network issues, video server problems that other stations reserve for a team of engineers. We make it work.

When I take a step back, and look at the product that we've achieved with so few people... it definitely makes me proud to work here. We keep up with what's happening in Central Oregon, we break stories and we compete, putting on 125 minutes of news during the weeknights, and 90 minutes during the weekday mornings. It has certainly been a challenge that none of us ever anticipated... but, when we continue to hear viewers saying, "I think you guys have really raised the bar for news coverage in Central Oregon," you know you're doing something right. We hope to keep those comments going, and I know all of the professionals at KOHD are more than qualified to do that.

Andrea Adams, associate producer and assignment editor at the station, will take McKee's position, a KOHD representative tells OMC. The AP/AE job listing is now posted on KOHD's website.

Local alternative newspaper The Source Weekly examines the competition for TV news viewers in Bend and challenges the idea that the market can support two major news stations, KTVZ and KOHD.

While KTVZ, the local NBC affiliate, has been around for decades, ABC affiliate KOHD has only been airing newscasts for two years. In addition, KBNZ, a recently launched satellite of KOIN in Portland, is airing one-minute local news inserts.

The Source consulted outside experts on the business of small-market news, and spoke with KOHD General Manager Jerry Upham, who talked about the contraction in Bend's ad market. The Source also interviewed KBNZ GM Dave Ulrickson, who describes his operation as a "pro-business advocate station."

Read the full story.

KOHD news director Nic Moye announced in a memo to employees that July 26, two Sundays from now, will be the station's final Sunday newscast:

The last Sunday newscast will be July 26th.
After that Brian will stay on Sundays to cover news, update the web and possibly do a 1 minute pre-recorded headline update at 6pm (this is still being determined) .

Matt will remain on Saturdays to cover news and update the web.

All stories will air during Daybreak on Monday morning.

A previous memo from general manager Jerry Upham said that Saturday newscasts will also end. Our best to our friends at KOHD! Stay strong, you guys.

Later today: a few more details on the new show keeping KOIN management so secretive, plus an editor in Portland who's now writing comic books. We're working on a story about layoffs and outsourcing in Portland television, and we'll bring you that story when we have more.

And we have a new feature in the right-hand column: live stock quotes for the owners of Oregon media outlets. If you're not sure why some companies are there, CBS is for CBS Radio; Dolan Media owns The Daily Journal of Commerce; Lee owns the Albany Democrat Herald and the Gazette-Times in Corvallis, among others; while News Corp., as we reported yesterday, owns the Mail Tribune in Medford, the Ashland Daily Tidings, and, most enjoyably, Medford's the Nickel.

Weekend anchor/reporter Allison Martin is becoming the anchor/producer of KOHD Bend's Daybreak morning show August 10. She'll be taking over for Lauren Biskind, who is becoming evening anchor/reporter/assignment editor and reporter during the day. In turn, Lauren will replace Kiaora Bohlool, who is leaving the station.

Here's where it gets even more confusing:

Allison was originally informed that she was laid off in April, along with a significant number of other on-air and behind-the-scenes staff. Management at KOHD changed their mind before Allison's scheduled departure next month, putting her in the AM chair. Among those who are still due to leave are evening director Cousteau Martell, sports director Keith Bleyer, weekend anchor Ariel Wesler, and other behind-the-scenes staff. (7/10 update: We can now confirm that KOHD is working on ways to keep Keith at the station.) Additional people chose to leave. Weekend sports anchor Rachael Azevedo is already out and working freelance for KEZI Eugene. Evening Dayside assignment editor Heather Roberts is moving to sales and will work on the station's public image.

The 5am weekday block (7/10 update: now only the 5-5:30am block) on KOHD and all weekend shows have been canceled, while sports will receive reduced coverage.

Here is the April 30, 2009 memo from General Manager Jerry Upham to KOHD staff, on layoffs and show changes. Some of these details have since changed:

By now you have all heard that we have had to make some adjustments to staff and shows in order to save expense. It is with a heavy heart for those who we have had to let go that I make this announcement. It is also an unfortunate situation that the changes come at a time when the News is really starting to gain momentum, as shown with the latest rating book we received today. But increased ratings still don’t make up for the shortfall in revenue that this economy is giving us...both at the station and the company level.

For the past month we have been examining all our options as they relate to keeping the best possible shows on the air given the direction we have been given with regard to reducing overhead. Following is a summary of the changes that will be taking place over the next 90 days:

• Daybreak. Eliminating the first hour from 5-6a and replacing it with ABC Morning News. Lauren will produce and anchor, and Jon [Bellemore] will continue his role. We will go to three people in the booth. Lauren will no longer report on a daily basis.
• M-F Evening Shows. The 5p and 6p show will become more similar, and Chris [McKee] will produce both. Andrea [Adams] will move into a multi position of co-producer, assignment desk/editor. Kioara will turn a story for the shows and continue to co-anchor the 5& 6. Sports is up in the air at this point, as we are attempting some creative ways to keep a presence. We do know that we will be unable to keep the same sports presence we have now. Again, we will go to three people in the booth.
• Sat-Sun. We will be forced to eliminate weekend shows at some point to be determined, but no later than August 2nd. We will keep a person to gather weekend stories and video, however, Isaac announced today he will be leaving in late June.
• Late News. Jay will single anchor and produce. Sports coverage to be determined. We will go to two people in the booth.

Obviously this is far from an ideal situation with regard to shows and personnel. I appreciate what everyone is doing and again regret that we have to go down this road.

We're still working on getting more details on some of the information in this memo.

More recently, the GM sent out this note:

I’m happy to announce that Allison Martin will be taking over the Daybreak anchor/producer position (replacing Lauren) in early August. Allison has proven her abilities to produce and anchor the Sunday show and has filled in nicely on Daybreak in the past. This will be a good transition for viewers as she is recognizable and familiar, and it allows us to keep her on staff.

As we said, we're still working on details. More to come!

UPDATE (7/10, 5:32pm): The 5:30-6am block has since been reinstated. Also, we originally said Lauren Biskind will have assignment editor duties; she will not. Heather Roberts' official title is "Sales, Promotion and Public Affairs Coordinator." And an explanation on the morning anchor/producer position: The show used to have a dedicated producer, but she moved to dayside as associate producer/assignment editor.

UPDATE (7/10, 6:22pm): We've filled in some of the last names in the first memo. And it appears KOHD will try to keep Keith Bleyer at the station. Plus, we now have quotes from KOHD staff:

Yes, there are a lot of changes, and it's tough to keep track. Most of us didn't ask for the changes but we are all grateful to be able to continue working with great people during these tough times, and trying to make the best of it.

And:

It has been quite the past couple of months. It's even confusing to all of us. I just feel lucky to still have a job.

UPDATE (7/10, 6:51pm): And on a more positive note from our second quoted source:

We've been able to do some amazing things at this station with a limited amount of people and resources. The changes and departures are bringing new challenges for the coming months, but we have some very talented, hard working people that will keep our product going strong.

UPDATE (7/10, 9:03pm): We've removed a sentence from this post at the request of the person mentioned, after learning that it alluded to a sensitive issue we feel they have a right to privacy about. It was unrelated to personnel changes or anything else in this story.

UPDATE (7/13, 1:12pm): We've learned that KOHD also laid off 5pm producer Carla Miller, but that she'll now be producing at KHQ in Spokane. It sounds like she may have gotten the position Wiley Post left in order to come to KGW. Can this story have any more musical chairs?

And a new quote:

As for my reaction, all of these cuts have been so crazy, but extremely understandable. We're certainly not the only ones facing revenue problems. Virtually every Oregon TV station, newspaper, magazine is dealing with the same thing. It's hard, since we're such a young station and just when we've cemented ourselves, now many of our co-workers are being forced to leave earlier than we expected. But, with that being said, we still have an incredible group of people here who are dedicated beyond the 9 to 6:30 attitude, that are ready to keep going because of the committment we've made to this community that we don't plan on breaking.

(This story was originally published July 6, 2009 at 6:42pm.)

You may have seen a morning weather position at KOHD Bend pop up and disappear in our job listings over the last few days, but no one has been hired. Current meteorologist Jonathan Bellemore is staying put after failing to get out of his contract with the station, according to sources at KOHD.

UPDATE (7/8, 8:01am): OMC has learned that Jonathan Bellemore reached a mutual agreement with KOHD releasing him from his contract. However, that agreement did not become active and has since been rendered moot.

OMC receives a press release from KOHD Bend:

KOHD-TV, Central Oregon’s ABC station, has agreed to carriage terms with The Dish Network, and will be available for DISH subscribers sometime during the month of July. Subscribers will need to call The Dish Network to get KOHD and any other available local stations as early as July 8th.

“This has been a long time coming”, says Jerry Upham, KOHD General Manager. “The local stations have been seeking carriage for years, and now finally some of the satellite subscribers in Central Oregon will be able to get their local news, sports and weather via their subscription if they so desire”.

KOHD will be available on The DISH Network Channel 9 in standard definition. At this time, there is no official word from DirecTv on if or when they will carry KOHD, or any of the other local channels.

“We are hopeful that DirecTv will follow DISH and make KOHD available sometime soon”, adds Upham.

KOHD can also be seen over-the-air on digital channel 51-1, and analog Channel 53. On cable, KOHD is carried by Bend Broadband on channel 9 (and 609 for HD subscribers), Chambers Cable (Sunriver) Channel 9, and Crestview Cable (Madras, Prinevelle and LaPine) Channel 9.

For more information, please contact Bryan Johnson, Director of Creative Services for KOHD, at bjohnsonkohd [dot] com.

It appears other Bend stations may be going on Dish as well.