Television -- Jazz loyalty is a TV habit for fans

As excerpted on 5/10/98 from the Ogden Standard Examiner:

Keep your flashy ad campaigns, your splashy promos, your rehashy recaps.

When it comes to winning new television viewers with special Utah Jazz coverage, the final score is in.

Station loyalty is the name of the game.

A non-scientific survey of area sports coaches confirmed that they, like the rest of the species, are creatures of habit.

"To tell you the truth, I watch Channel 2 (KUTV) most of the time, so I watch them for Jazz coverage, too," said Reid Newey, Weber High assistant principal and former high school and college coach.

"KJZZ (Channel 14) does a great job during the games. When the game is on, that's the best coverage you can get," Newey said, with a laugh. "But for analysis, I think Channel 2 has a really strong team, especially with (University of Utah basketball) coach (Rick) Majerus doing guest commentary. They really seem to have a good finger on the pulse of basketball."

For Bart Hadley, head basketball coach at Roy High, five is the magic number.

"I've always been a big follower of Channel 5 (KSL)," he said. "I like the coverage they do. They try to sell the Jazz, and they are doing a great job. I like the whole team, including Craig Bolerjack. The coverage is accurate and well presented. Maybe it's because I'm so used to watching that sports team, but it seems like old friends just talking about what's new with the Jazz."

Layton High basketball coach Scott Applegate is another 5 fan.

"It just seems to be what I watch," he said. "I like how KJZZ does broadcasts, and their pregame and postgame stuff, but when the news is on, I'm probably watching Channel 5. KSL does a good job. Sometimes I wish they could go for a little more depth, but for the most part, I enjoy what they offer."

He's not a coach, but Mark Murphy, assistant manager at the Ogden sports shop Fanzz of Utah Jazz, has a strong interest in the Jazz.

"I think KJZZ has the advantage, with their game broadcast and their access to the players," Murphy said. "I like their update show, "Feed the Fever,' and look forward to it every night. Then again, I've always been partial to KSL. I'm used to their sports team and I like their stuff."

And everyone seemed to like the KSL Jazz promos, based on a Volkswagen commercial, which show various members of the re porting team being picked up, then abandoned at the curb with the trash.

"The first time I saw that, it made me laugh out loud," Murphy said. "It's perfect."

Hadley agreed.

"It's very creative, and it's nice that they are willing to put themselves on the line and poke a little fun at themselves," he said. "It's fun to watch."

Well, we still had found no Jazz fans willing to stand up and change the channel. To be fair, the reason sports fans probably choose a favorite channel is that they like the way that station covers sports.

Maybe just one more call.

"I change the channel," said Chad Loosemore, head basketball coach at St. Joseph High.

"I watch CNN for my news, but I switch to Channel 2 for Jazz coverage. For me, having Rick Majerus on for comments makes a big difference. He is certainly the most knowledgeable analyst available in the state. I enjoy hearing Jazz players talk on the other stations, but they really can't be as open as they might want to be. For me, Majerus is the lure. His insights help me understand the game better."

Can we quote you on that?

"Well, OK, but be sure you get both the "o's at the beginning of my name," Loosemore said. "If you drop one of the "o's, my name makes me sound like someone you wouldn't want as your basketball coach."

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