KDOC’s ‘NewsWatch’ Adds Sports Roundup

KDOC-Channel 56’s weeknight news show, “NewsWatch,” has added a regular sports segment anchored by former National Football League place-kicker Benny Ricardo.

The four-to-five-minute spot usually airs at 20 minutes into the half-hour broadcast, said KDOC spokeswoman Tricia Krause, unless there is a major sports story. In addition to tape of national and international events provided to the station by CNN, Ricardo will be reporting on county sporting events.

A crew from the station has already shot pieces on the Raiders and the Rams for the segment, said Ricardo, 35.

“I have a pretty good grip on what’s going on in Orange County,” he said.

The native of Paraguay attended Orange Coast College and graduated from San Diego State University, then played for 11 years with the Chargers, the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions, during which he kicked more than 700 points.

Then Ricardo shifted to advertising and broadcasting, providing color coverage of the Raiders on the Spanish Radio Network.

He has recently performed in the area with a stand-up comedy act.

Ricardo said he got the spot on KDOC by persuading a Westminster auto dealership to buy ad time within the newscast’s sports segment.

Before the sports segment premiered Sept. 18, the station added a third seat to the cramped set where the newscast is shot, Krause said.

The third seat is also used for other “NewsWatch” reporters to introduce their stories before Ricardo’s spot. “NewsWatch” airs at 8:30 p.m.