Working on the First Coast: New Action News anchors speak out; seek solid hook with audience

Sept. 09--It's been no secret that there was a huge shake-up among the cast of anchors at Jacksonville'sAction News in recent months.

Two new anchors replaced Mark Spain and Paige Kelton on what is now WFOX TV-30 and WJAX TV-47.

John Bachman and Tenikka Hughes took to the air this week as the faces of the Fox and CBS network affiliates covering Jacksonville in news broadcasts at 5, 5:30, 6, 10 and 11 p.m.

Bachman, 39, moved with his wife and three daughters to the First Coast in St. Johns County from Atlanta where he was at Cox-owned WSB TV-2 for seven years. Hughes, 33, was just married to her husband Timothy a few weeks ago and is currently looking for permanent residence in Jacksonville after transferring from Cox-owned stations WSOC TV-9 and WAXN TV-64 in Charlotte, N.C., where she worked for five years.

The pair of anchors have been tasked with solidifying and expanding the audience of Action News, but they face formidable challenges among competitors seeking ratings at other television news outlets in Jacksonville.

Bachman and Hughes recently reflected on the work that lies ahead of them during a conversation at the Action News studios off Beach Boulevard on Jacksonville's Southside.

So, have either of you heard of anything interesting happening in broadcast news lately in Jacksonville?

(Both laugh)

This particular anchor transition has gotten lots of attention, you must be aware of it. How do you respond to a market that has had some deep roots in the anchor position?

Bachman: First of all, we are very much well aware of what we're walking into. We're walking into this with eyes wide open but also very excited about where we're heading. ... It could have been uncomfortable or whatever. But it wasn't. It was handled with class, professionalism and dignity. Personally, Mark Spain went out of his way to shake my hand in the newsroom and it showed a lot of professionalism and character. That did a lot for everybody.

Hughes: And we literally [sat] right by them and he [Spain] was so helpful and Paige continues to be helpful. We're really grateful and thankful that she stayed on [as special projects manager] because she's already been a resource to us. Both of them have been so gracious to us.

Your competition, all the main anchors at First Coast News and "The Local Station" Channel 4 have a lot of experience in Jacksonville. ... What do you bring to the audience that can bring them to your viewership?

Bachman: I think we bring a lot. But first let me say, we recognize the tenure that those guys have and first and foremost respect that. Clearly, in this market, we're new. I've been doing this 17 years, Tenikka has been doing it a little more than 10. ... We have been working the last three weeks to meet and get to know the issues that we have to really dive into going forward. We don't take lightly what we have to do as far as knowing --

Hughes: (instinctively finishing Bachman's sentence) -- the area. We do have a high learning curve and we acknowledge that. But as we said, we've already been going and doing what we can to make those connections and get as informed as possible to insure that whatever we are saying and information that we are delivering will be accurate. ...

How about the nature of the broadcast news business? The strength in the ratings, particularly for some of your competition, is the fact that they stopped being nomads. So, how are you going to convince the audience that you're in it to stay and this isn't another stepping stone?

Hughes: That is a legitimate question. He [Bachman] came from Atlanta. I came from Charlotte. We came from two very strong stations and we were doing well where we were. When this opportunity presented itself, it was one of those things that we didn't take lightly. ... We chose to come here. We weren't forced or planted. We came, we saw, we learned more about the mission and believed that we could be a part of it and make a difference. ... We are investing in this community and we plan to get involved.

Bachman: Clearly, this business definitely has that [nomadic] feel to it. Frankly, that's the case in a lot of businesses with people moving around. So, that is true. If you look at our track records, and I can really speak only to mine, seven years in Atlanta, I would have stayed in Atlanta forever if I could have. But I was a backup quarterback, if you will. I had a great gig. My family loved it in Atlanta. We were making roots in Atlanta. But Cox is a fantastic company and I had the opportunity to come and be the starting quarterback of a team that I think is in place to do some wonderful things. My goal here along with Tenikka's is to write our own legacies with this station. I have no intentions, frankly, of moving again. ...

In your roles as anchors, where do you see yourselves in the business of running the newsroom? Are you the leaders? Are you collaborators with photographers and producers and all that? What have you been told to do on that end?

Bachman: It's my goal to be a leader in this newsroom? Absolutely. Do I walk in here as the leader of this newsroom? Absolutely not. Leadership is earned and that sounds hokey, but it's a fact. You can't just walk in there and have people follow you and do things you suggest. It's just not going to happen overnight. But, yes, that's our goal and part of why we're here. ...

Hughes: A lot of things might be changing. But there is still a team of people who are still here and who have been here before us. ... That's why I think it is important to come in here with humility and respect because just like we are building relationships with the community, we are building relationships right here in this newsroom. ...

How about the term broadcast news, it has many different meanings to different people: Journalism or entertainment?

Bachman: We're in the business of journalism. Clearly, it is a business and we're trying to get as many people to watch our newscasts. But we are giving you newscasts. We're not going to give a whole lot of fluff and entertainment. I don't consider myself an entertainer. I consider myself a journalist, absolutely.

Hughes: I absolutely agree. ...

Drew Dixon: (904) 359-4098

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