OMAHA, Neb., July 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- KPTM-TV/Channel 42, Pappas Telecasting Companies' FOX affiliate in the Omaha, Nebraska Designated Market Area (DMA), today announced that it has initiated a free text message service for its viewers via TextCaster(r) software. The new feature, "FOX 42 First Alert," delivers news and program-oriented text messages to cell phones, including AMBER Alerts, breaking news alerts and national security alerts, a daily AM weather forecast, FOX 42 contest information, sports updates, severe weather warnings, and previews of stories from each evening's FOX 42 News. Viewers may sign up for this free service by visiting http://www.kptm.com, then clicking the "KPTM News on Your Cell Phone" link. Using industry leading software powered by TextCaster(r), KPTM text messages instantly reach the mobile phones of users who opt-in.
In making the announcement, Rosemary Danon, Vice President/Online and New Media of Pappas Telecasting, said, "We're very happy to be able to offer this exciting new service to our viewers. Industry estimates show that nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population -- over 180 million users -- own cell phones, and this number continues to grow rapidly. It's logical to expect that people will keep relying on cell phones as a staple of their communication needs. We expect 'FOX 42 First Alert' to be a vital method of keeping the public informed and entertained."
Randy Oswald, Vice President/Midwest Group Manager of Pappas Telecasting Companies and General Manager of KPTM-TV, added, "'FOX 42 First Alert' gives our viewers an opportunity to get important news as it breaks, no matter where they may be. Of particular significance are our Severe Weather Warnings, which will give people advance notice so they can take cover when thunderstorms or tornadoes are approaching. We're also very proud to offer AMBER Alerts, which have proven to be so effective in aiding the recovery of abducted children from dangerous predators."
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which championed the development of AMBER Alert plans throughout the United States, describes AMBER Alerts as "emergency messages broadcast primarily via radio and television, and in some areas post(ed) on electronic highway signs, when law enforcement determines that a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger. The broadcasts include information about the child and the abductor, such as physical descriptions, as well as information about the abductor's vehicle, which could lead to the child's recovery and the apprehension of the suspect."
The AMBER Alert notifications offered by KPTM are of particular significance, especially when considering that time is of the essence in child abduction cases. A study released by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Washington reported that, while murders of abducted children are rare events, "74 percent of abducted children who are murdered are dead within three hours of the abduction." Getting information out to the public as soon as possible is vital. NCMEC's website reports that 213 children have been recovered since the AMBER Alert plan was established.
Pappas Telecasting has already initiated text-messaging service at KTNC-TV, the Azteca America affiliate in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose and Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto DMAs, offering the first text service with AMBER Alerts in Spanish, and KMPH FOX 26 in the Fresno-Visalia, California DMA. The company previously announced plans to offer text-messaging service at KDBC-TV/El Paso, Texas, KSWT-TV/Yuma, Arizona, and KHGI-TV/Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney, Nebraska.
About KPTM FOX 42
KPTM FOX 42 is a Pappas Telecasting Companies station that has served the Omaha DMA since 1986. KPTM News was launched in 1990 and was honored in 2005 with the Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement in electronic journalism. In 2004, KPTM sports anchor J.J. Davis was named Best Sportscaster by the Nebraska Associated Press.
KPTM has proven itself to be a steward of the community, as well. The station has formed a partnership with area Burger King restaurants entitled "Beat Cancer for Kids," which so far this year has raised nearly $100,000 for pediatric cancer research. KPTM sponsors the Teammates organization, a one-to-one mentoring program for Nebraska youth. And, with its sister station KXVO, KPTM sponsors the "Winter Warm Up," which last year collected over 4,000 coats to benefit the less fortunate.