Hooked on Phoenix

摘要

Phoenix and other Sun Belt markets bore the brunt of the recession, but that's behind them. Home sales were up nearly 13% in May compared to May 2012, while unemployment slid from 7.4% to 6.8%. The attributes that spurred population growth in Phoenix for years-the proverbial "dry heat," the Southwest's open spaces-remain. "We're not there yet, but the economy feels quite a bit better compared to even a year ago," says Ed Munson, KPHO VP and general manager. Phoenix features a bruising news battle, but the stations know when to, as one GM puts it, "put our weapons down." DMA No. 13 was devastated by the loss of 19 wildfire specialists June 30; the stations pooled coverage for what John Misner, KPNX president and general manager, called a "muted presence" at the memorial. KPNX aired the Prescott fireworks show and firefighter tribute live in primetime on July 4. "I never doubted that our company [Gannett] would support the investment," savs Misner.