News operation
After back-and-forth competition between KOB-TV and KOAT-TV in the late 1960s and early 1970s, 1976 proved to be a watershed year for the station's news ratings. That year, KOAT took a definitive lead as having the most-watched newscasts in the region, having erased a 14-point rating lead that KOB-TV had held in 1971.[43] The station boasted high stability in news anchor talent during this time, with news anchor Dick Knipfing—who had been with KOAT since 1964—and weather forecaster Howard Morgan, who worked at the station from 1971 to 1999.[44] In 1979, KOB-TV lured away Knipfing, leading to a lawsuit seeking to get him out of a non-compete clause in his contract with KOAT.[45] KOAT then moved to fire Knipfing, who contended the non-compete clause expired with his contract on July 31, 1979, instead of remaining in effect for one year.[46] Knipfing won the case and started on time at KOB.[47] KOAT managed to remain in first place despite losing its star anchorman,[48] though the gap was narrowed between the top two stations.[49] The move never had the intended goal of displacing KOAT from its number-one position, and KOB ousted Knipfing in 1986;[50] in an interview with The Albuquerque Tribune, Knipfing cited the talent stability and quality at KOAT for keeping that station in the lead.[51] Knipfing then joined KGGM-TV's news team in 1987 before returning to KOAT two years later.[52][53]
Knipfing's first posting upon his return was anchoring a new 5 p.m. newscast, the station's third attempt at an earlier evening news program, which debuted in March 1990.[54] In 1994, KOAT debuted its morning newscast, Good Morning New Mexico (later rebranded as Action 7 News Live This Morning and now Action 7 News More in the Morning).[55] However, KOB and KRQE each improved their news products during the 1990s, allowing them to close the gap on KOAT.[56]
After the Hearst purchase, the station saw the retirements of Morgan and Johnny Morris (after a 21-year run with KOAT),[57] as well as Knipfing's second departure in 2000.[58]
KOAT has generally remained the market news leader since; by 2022, it led or was competitive in every major daypart.[59] Since September 20, 2021, KOAT has streamed its newscasts, as well as other locally produced content, on Very Local, an over-the-top media service operated by Hearst Television.[60]
- Mike Roberts – weekend sportscaster, 1976–1982[61][62]
- Terry McDermott — sports director, 1985–1997[63][64]
