The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 153

1 is unusual," he said, referring to the network's third-place standing among the Big Three. "The people in Asheville consider themselves to be mountain folks," he added. "And Spartanburg is a burgeoning area. It's unbelievable how fast the area is growing." TV-13's Greenville bureau was in reasonably sound shape a few years ago, but the station never has had a high profile in Greenville. The Nielsen and Arbitron ratings prove it.

WLOS-TV in April was acquired by a New York investment firm, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in a complicated deal worth about $1 billion. Wometco Broadcast Co. of which TV-13 is a subsidiary, brought in some new blood from California. Jerrell W. Birdwell was named general manager, and Buzogany followed as program director a few weeks later.

TV-13's new management characterizes itself as a team of "hardball" players, i.e. businessmen. To use a hackneyed sports analogy, the team drew up a game plan and followed it: the station canceled its troubled and expensive PM Magazine it added new morning and daytime programming; it canned religious shows in favor of cartoons on Sundays. TV-13 also intends to be aggressive in the syndication market, according to Buzogany. "In the past, we haven't been aggressive in this area," he said.

For fall '85, Channel 13 will have Trapper John, Gimme A Break and several game shows. WLOS-TV, like many other stations, is looking hard at Simon Simon, Cheers, Hill Street Blues and Family Ties, which will be available in86or'87. The bidding undoubtedly will be fierce. "Those shows are about the only new prod- October7, 1984 ucts available," Buzogany said. But that's down the road.

The Greenville expansion looms quite large in the immediate future. "It's the first in what we intend to be a bunch of steps," he said. "Having a physical facility (in Greenville) makes a difference. The viewers need to see our sign on the building." Buzogany said the futures of the market's three cities are linked. "Economically, as Greenville and Spartanburg grow, it's better for Asheville," he said.

"The whole (Nielsen) ADI (Area of Dominant Influence) is intertwined. We try to recognize The station has one goal, he said: to be No. 1. "We'd like to be the source of news for western Carolina. It won't happen soon, but it's a long-range goal." Buzogany said he'll accept the ratings as they come, with an eye toward long-range success.

"I think in November we'll see an increase in our share over May and July," he said. "If it's more than last November, then we'll truly be a success." Buzogany said he thrives on the competition created by the arrival of independent stations, such as WHNS-TV. "(Channel 21) prepared well, and they came into the market with an aggressive marketing campaign," he said. "They had good books in May and July. "The new independents have helped the marketplace by shaking up the established competition," he said.

"They'll continue to make an impact." Page 23.