Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
HOME PAGE
www.khou.com
The KHOU.com home page is the front door to a body of continuously updated high-quality journalism,
weather, video and entertainment content showcasing top daily headlines and a connection to over 65
hyper-local community websites populated with khou.com weather and news headlines.
The khou.com home page is the pipeline between our viewers and our continuous 24/7 digital
newsroom operation. The KHOU.com home page features a balance of high quality journalism,
uncluttered from noise, to offer an optimized user experience and site usability, user engagement,
repeat visits and consumption of video and digital photo content. Houston is a big news market and the
top daily headlines appear above-the-fold for a non-disruptive scanning experience to the reader.
Featured elements include user generated content, video, photo slideshows, blogs, local entertainment,
hyper-local sites, and other non-news content. One of the most popular sections on the home page is
the “FEATURES” section. This highly-trafficked, content feature showcases the top photo images of the
day, community events, high-visibility blogs, talent involvement in the community, local sports news,
events and other sticky content KHOU.com produces locally.
Today’s readers are empowered with technology and want to use it. KHOU’s YouNews section is used to
solicit photos from our viewers including weather, pro-sports events, birthdays, celebrations, holidays
and sharing family images with our readers. YouNews allows users to comment on stories and submit
video and photos, which are frequently spotlighted in 11 Newscasts.
Each day, top 11 News headlines and features are distributed to the KHOU FACEBOOK page, found at
facebook.com/KHOU 11 and pushed to our Twitter page found at http://twitter.com/khou. 11 News
headlines are often found on the home page of chron.com, the site for the Houston Chronicle. They are
also sent to aggregator sites, such as Topix.com, CNN and other local news aggregators.
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Each day, KHOU.com video found on the home page also populates the Yahoo! local news page in a local
news video partnership exclusive to KHOU.com.
KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
e.g. 11 News I-Team Investigation
Radiation in Water
Khou.com November 2010
I-Team Investigation Coverage, Online Video, Online Searchable Radiation Database
Beginning on November 8, KHOU-TV produced a powerful I-Team Investigation regarding high levels
of radiation found in Houston’s water supply. Expanded coverage was developed as companion pieces
to support television investigative pieces and to direct users for additional information.
Khou.com digital elements included streamed video reports, a custom built, searchable online user
database listing every water system in the state of Texas, radiation levels for water systems, and
additional online expanded story coverage.
Links to all Khou.com Investigative Stories and Video found online
http://www.khou.com/news/health/I-Team-preview-Is-your-drinking-water-safe-106791538.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com November 2010
I-Team Investigation Coverage: Khou.com Searchable Radiation Database
After the I-Team Investigative reports aired, KHOU-TV viewers users were directed from TV to the web
to use the custom-built online searchable radiation database found on Khou.com. Users were able
to access information regarding radiation levels in their household water supply. A copy of a user’s
water bill was required to identify their water system and they were able to pull up immediate results.
http://www.khou.com/news/texas-drinking-water-radiation-levels
In addition to finding the results for their water system, Khou.com also provided an expanded data
section and information regarding how to read the numbers and what they meant.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
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Khou.com November 2010
I-Team Investigation Coverage: Khou.com Online User Feedback
http://www.khou.com/news/health/I-Team-preview-Is-your-drinking-water-safe-106791538.html
Archived user feedback can be found on the bottom of each story appearing on khou.com. Khou.com
received hundreds of comments from concerned residents after each online report and from those
who wanted more information or were not satisfied with City Government.
Khou.com online comments show Houstonians are concerned for their families and for the health and
welfare of all concerned. And, they also want Khou.com to continue seeking answers on this problem.
Samples of User Feedback on Khou.com
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com November 2010
I-Team Investigation Coverage: Khou.com traffic from stories, video, database, comments
As a result of this special online coverage developed to support the television investigative pieces, and
the exclusive online database for our users, online traffic was huge for this series.
User response was immediate and continues to grow with continuous story updates post-November.
KHOU-TV and khou.com are working on new developments as a result of the Investigation which will
continue throughout 2011.
Here is the Khou.com web traffic for November-December 2010.
I-Team Investigation on Khou.com: Radiation in our Water Supply
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 - Fri, Dec 31, 2010
Page Views
Searchable Radiation Database
Index
Khou.com Online Searchable Water Database
109,334
#107125648
Part II: State lowballs radiation scores in Texas Drinking Water
11,125
#107010754
I-Team Investigates how safe is your drinking water?
18,968
#108307474
Radiation in Houston’s tap Water; Long History of
contamination
12,321
#111113419
Residents of Houston neighborhood concerned about cancers,
radioactive water
5,051
#112232749
Draft of federal report finds radiation widespread in Houston
water
5,191
#112364389
City of Houston shuts down two radioactive water wells
71,773
#107010754
Part I: Radiation in your tap water (video)
9,585
#106791538
Video Preview: How safe is your drinking water? Other Video
15,959
Source: Omniture
Total Page Views
Web Story Coverage
#113059489
Web Video Coverage
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
257,064
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
e.g. African Forest Community Announcement
The Houston Zoo
Khou.com November 2010
Web, Mobile and Digital Coverage for Houston Zoo Partnership
Khou.com LIVE Streaming
KHOU-TV Special
http://www.khou.com/video/featured-videos/The-African-Forest-Your-Journey-Begins-at-the-HoustonZoo-Part-1-110935994.html
The addition of the African Forest exhibit was the Houston Zoo’s biggest undertaking in its 80-year
history and they chose KHOU as their media partner for coverage on television, web and mobile to help
announce the opening of The African Forest. Khou.com produced special online content to support our
announcement and create excitement for The African Forest with our viewers.
KHOU produced a 1-hour program, on-location for The African Forest. The LIVE telecast was also LIVE
streamed on Khou.com. At the conclusion, the entire one hour special was archived to khou.com.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Houston Zoo Photo Slideshows
Khou.com sent our digital photographer to the Houston Zoo on several occasions to shoot photos and
help our viewers meet the Animals of the African Forest with Khou.com photo slideshows.
http://www.khou.com/home/Photos-The-animals-of-Houston-Zoos-the-African-Forest-111081604.html?gallery=y&c=y
Chimp expert Jane Goodall came to meet the Chimps of the Houston Zoo’s NEW African Forest
exhibit and Khou.com did a web photo exclusive on her visit to Houston to meet the Chimps.
http://www.khou.com/news/slideshows/Photos-Primate-expert-Jane-Goodall-visits-the-Houston-Zoo106407848.html?gallery=y&c=y
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Houston Zoo Expanded Coverage
Khou.com followed the installation of animals into The African Forest Exhibit and created photo
slideshows and expanded story coverage on khou.com. Slideshows included the African Forest chimps,
Jane Goodall’s visit, the Chimp House, The White Rhinos and the entire family of animals.
Khou.com also provide a printable Houston Zoo map and a list of upcoming Zoo events.
http://www.khou.com/community/African-Forest--108269244.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Houston Zoo Mobile Channel
KHOU 11 apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry
Khou.com developed a Houston Zoo content channel on the Khou.com mobile applications for iPhone,
Android and BlackBerry. These help our users find mobile content from anywhere.
Khou.com Houston Zoo Family Membership Giveaway
Khou.com developed an Interactive Contest Opportunity to give away 3 family memberships to
celebrate the opening of The Houston Zoo African Forest. This coincided with the opening on December
10, 2010. The contest was promoted on the Khou.com home page and a dedicated page inside.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Houston Zoo Mobile Channel
SMS Ticket Giveaway to tie to Opening of African Forest Exhibit
Khou.com organized an SMS contest giveaway to celebrate the opening of The Houston Zoo African
Forest Exhibit. In order to make this more than a contest, Khou.com wanted to integrate the contest
within online content to help our users learn more about the African Forest and then register at the
same time.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
e.g. Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys
Local sports coverage
August 28, 2010
Coverage for Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys
Khou.com Home Page Countdown Banners
Daily Banners
When the Dallas Cowboys came to Houston for a showdown with the Texans, the long-standing rivalry
between the two biggest cities in the Lone Star State took center stage. KHOU-TV and Khou.com
dedicated numerous resources to make this special for our viewers and online users. Each day,
Khou.com placed a countdown banner at the top of the home page to drive excitement for the game –
and for a locally produced KHOU-TV pregame special, the “Lone Star Shootout.”
Cheerleader Pom-Pom Online Poll
Voted by Khou.com users
http://www.khou.com/home/related/Pom--101336664.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Live Streaming of KHOU’s “Lone Star Shootout”
Locally produced, one-hour special
KHOU-TV produced a pre-game special, “Lone Star Shootout,” which aired before kickoff. The hour-long
program was promoted on the Khou.com home page all week as follows:
The live telecast was also live-streamed on Khou.com. At the conclusion, the entire one-hour special
was archived to khou.com.
http://www.khou.com/video/featured-videos/Watch-the-2010-Lone-Star-Shoout-Pregame-Special--Part-1-101754593.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Home Page Coverage
To generate excitement for the BIG game
Khou.com produced several interactive content features to create community-wide excitement for the
third pre-season NFL game played in Houston on August 28, 2010. These content features were
strategically positioned on the home page above-the-fold for the week leading up to the game.
Khou.com home page content included the following features:
USER COMMENTS:
Why is H-Town better than Big D?
PHOTOS:
Houston Texans Cheerleaders
POM-POM ONLINE POLL:
Who has the best cheerleaders?
SUMBIT PHOTOS:
True blue Texans fans
USER CONTENT:
Send us your fan photos
TV SPECIAL:
More on the KHOU-TV pre-game special, the “Lone Star Shootout”
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Live, Local Pre-Season Game Event
Texans vs. Cowboys Cheerleader Photo Slideshows
For some fans, the cheerleaders provided as much excitement during the game as the players!
Khou.com developed two slideshows -- one featuring the Houston Texans Cheerleaders and one
featuring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Then, we asked our users to participate in an online poll to tell us who had the better cheerleaders.
The photo slideshows and online poll can be viewed here:
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
http://www.khou.com/news/slideshows/Photos-Cowboys-cheerleaders-100643069.html
Houston Texans Cheerleaders
http://www.khou.com/home/related/Pom--101336664.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Web Photo Slideshow
Houston Texans Fans Tailgate in Style
The Khou.com roving photographer roamed the parking lots around Reliant Stadium on game night to
find the best Texans tailgaters and showcased these images in a digital photo slideshow.
http://www.khou.com/news/slideshows/Photos-Texans-Cowboys-fans-tailgate-in-style101733318.html?gallery=y&c=y&ref=%2Fnews%2Fslideshows
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Media Coverage: Photos From the Field
Texans Take Down Cowboys 23-7 in Third Pre-Season Game
The Khou.com roving photographer strolled up and down the sidelines to capture the biggest moments
from the game at Houston’s Reliant Stadium and then showcased these images in a digital photo
slideshow.
http://www.khou.com/news/slideshows/Photos-Texans-vs-Cowboys-101735028.html
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
e.g. November 2010 Election
Election 2010
Khou.com November 2010
Election 2010 Coverage on Web and Mobile
Khou.com produced extensive digital coverage for the November ‘10 Elections in Houston, Texas. The
digital coverage was a combination of coverage on the home page, a dedicated and expanded Election
page, streamed video, Facebook and Twitter updates and mobile.
Election ’10 coverage included a LIVE two-hour 11 News Election special which was streamed LIVE,
mobile coverage, blog commentary, 11 News field reports from all campaign headquarters throughout
Houston, photo slideshows from Polling locations and sample ballots.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Election 2010 Race Results for Web and Mobile
In addition, an Online Election Database consisting of roughly 180 local election races was developed
and pushed results to TV, web and mobile to offer KHOU viewers and online readers real-time results.
http://www.khou.com/electionresults?src=http://belo.bimedia.net/KHOU/election/race501.htm&width=780&height=4900
Khou.com Election 2010 Behind-the-Scenes Election Slideshow
http://www.khou.com/community/slideshows/Photos-11-News-behind-the-scenes-106582978.html
Khou.com produced a Behind-the-Scenes Election Photo Slideshow showing our viewers what was
happening in the 11 News Studios on Election Night which featured candid talent shots from inside the
newsroom and on-set, shots of the Digital team, Election bloggers, and polling locations.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
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Khou.com Election 2010 Special Coverage Page
http://www.khou.com/news/election
The Khou.com multiplatform Election 2010 special coverage page featured the following elements
and continuous updates were pushed out to our Twitter and Facebook sites.
Latest Election Headlines
‘It’s Your Time’ candidate videos
News from The Texas Tribune
Candidate slideshows
Early Voting Locations
Sample Ballots by County
Candidate Quiz with VoteIQ
VoteIQ Voter’s Guide
Follow us on Twitter
Share your thoughts on Facebook
National AP Election Headlines
Election Results on KHOU app
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
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Khou.com Election 2010 Coverage on Facebook and Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/11news
The khou.com Facebook page was used as a venue to push users to all KHOU platforms including TV,
Web, Mobile for continuous coverage. Here, you see one instance of an Election 2010 update posted to
the KHOU/11 News Facebook page and Twitter site.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
Khou.com Edward R. Murrow Award Entry
Khou.com Election 2010 Coverage on khou Mobile Apps
http://www.khou.com/news/election
Khou.com users were able to access Election 2010 race results on the Khou mobile apps by clicking on
the Votes icon and then pulling up any race. The race results appeared at the same time they appear on
the lower third on our TV coverage and on our website. The database pushed Election results to all 3
platforms at the same time.
No matter where KHOU viewers were, they had immediate access to Khou.com Election 2010 coverage.
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KHOU-TV, Inc. | 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston Texas 77019
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