Hurricane Discussion

[Jess 1115]

I know there's a thread in New York, but since this is really affecting a lot of other places, I'm making something here. So here's a thread for the nation; well, at least the entire east coast.

 

So here's the coverage roundup in Philly as of 5:15:

 

--All stations are covering this for the entirety of their news blocks. All stations have tickers going; WPVI and WTXF are running them during breaks. (WTXF, to its credit, has been running a ticker non-stop on ALL programming since yesterday.)

 

--WPVI is.. well, WPVI. Lots of reporters, lots of perceptive pixel pr0n, very straightforward coverage. Idiosyncratic as always on their breakins: while the other stations were carrying Mayor Nutter's presser at 12:30, they were running Millionaire.

 

--WCAU has been offering very good coverage, in my opinion. They have Hurricane Schwartz, which is a HUGE benefit. They've been running extra coverage like crazy. They ran two hours from 11am to 1pm. They're also, I think, the first station to announce they are going continuous, starting at 6am. They're also providing reports to B101 radio. All of their coverage has been simulcast on Nonstop as well.

 

--WTXF is... not terrible. There I said it. They're interview-oriented still, but they had a clear discussion with a Red Cross guy and they're the first station to have an elected official on their air (Chris Christie at 5:23). I'm seeing a clear improvement as far as their coverage; looks like Schwaid is starting to affect things.

 

...actually as I type this, Christie's made his way onto WCAU. Looks like he's making a tour of all the local stations. They're also running Weather Channel maps alongside.

 

--And last, KYW. Which IS terrible right now. Seriously, their coverage is Kingsley Smith WTXF-era bad. Lots of breaks, little reportage, visible technical glitches, and questionable programming decisions. They left coverage of Christie's 4pm presser at 4:40 - and went back to Dr. Phil. You can't seriously tell me that you couldn't somehow fill the 20 minutes between then and the 5pm news. And if they do toss out of the studio, it's almost always to one of the godforsaken phone banks. Seriously, they need to stop with the god damn phone banks. They do this for every major news story, it takes up time that should be used for reporting, and it's just getting dumb. It's 2011. Nobody calls an 800 number for information. Put it on the air or put it on the web. Seriously. Just stop with the damn phone bank thing.

 

Ahem.

 

They're also simulcasting on WPSG for some reports, they'll probably do that this weekend. But the radio is covered - thankfully - by the far superior KYW 1060.

[24994J 5585]

They left coverage of Christie's 4pm presser at 4:40 - and went back to Dr. Phil. You can't seriously tell me that you couldn't somehow fill the 20 minutes between then and the 5pm news.

Not to jump back into NYC so quickly, but WCBS did the exact same thing...jumping back to Judge Judy at 4:40.

Stupid.

[Newshawk 2]

DirecTV sent out the news release just a while ago:

 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--DIRECTV is launching a dedicated 24/7 “Hurricane Irene Information” channel that will provide live broadcasts from local stations in markets affected by the hurricane to DIRECTV viewers nationwide.

 

The DIRECTV-produced information channel will begin broadcasting at midnight EDT/9 p.m. PDT tonight and will air on three separate viewer channels: 259, 325 and 349. DIRECTV plans to provide continuous coverage throughout the weekend or until the storm has diminished in strength.

 

DIRECTV will simulcast local news and information coverage from various stations in affected markets as the storm moves up the East Coast. DIRECTV will also provide graphical information to inform our customer base about potential evacuations, closures, event cancellations and any additional critical information as needed. Storm preparation information will be delivered in graphical form from the American Red Cross, as well as coverage from the agency’s special disaster preparedness and relief interview with American Red Cross President Gail McGovern, along with information from other emergency organizations.

 

As DIRECTV tracks the storm it will manually switch to a local station in the affected market. The information channel will broadcast coverage from the following markets:

 

Greenville/New Bern, N.C.

New York

Norfolk, Va.

Richmond, Va.

Roanoke, Va.

Washington, D.C.

[Ntropolis 596]

I don't feel like going into detail about the coverage here, but WAVY has brought in Steve Bray from WISH to help with the coverage, and last night Cheryl Nelson (formerly of WAVY) was on WVEC working as a freelance meteorologist.

[eyewitness_news 5]

In Connecticut, WVIT used Hurricane Irene-based (keep in mind, they are mostly in red) lower thirds during the coverage of Hurricane Irene.

[Guest NewsHound]

Currently in Hampton Roads, the best coverage is probably on WAVY, followed by WVEC. Both of which are doing extremely well in coverage, and I want to say at times WVEC tops WAVY, but they're both providing excellent coverage about the same.

 

WTKR's coverage is mediocre and quite frankly unwatchable. Their graphics are total shit, and they are using "UStream" for their reporters in the field. They even had the audacity to diss The Weather Channel's coverage of the storm and plug their own coverage. That is very unprofessional.

 

Over in the Eastern North Carolina market, WITN's live coverage has been going on since at least midnight, probably before, with no interruptions. So I want to say WITN's coverage of Irene is probably the best in this market, however WCTI is also doing well in coverage, and WNCT's coverage is probably my least favorite, but they are still doing a good job as well. Basically, all 3 stations are doing a good job at covering Irene.

[Action Newsroom 1283]

Just a quick report on the Philadelphia stations:

 

WPVI is the extraordinary when it comes to its anchors, reporters and meteorologists. They all did what they came fo do and for. I complement the meteorologists for doing their absolute best; I salute the repoters for risking their lives to go the hot spots of the the Hurricane. I was so proud. And also a shoutout to the anchors for holding down the main fort to keep us calm and informed during a very critical weekend in the lives of the residents of the Delaware Valley.

But (I hate to say this) production-wise, it wasn't great. However, the ("legendary") graphics kept popping in and out at the wrong times more than the right times; and it would sometimes stay on the spot for a long time. And the volume of the anchors would be overtaken by the volume of the reporters and the Hurricane one a split screen is shown; the producers would have to "straighten it out" (if you know what I mean). I wish they'd do something about it.

 

KYW (and WPSG) was was also extraordinary in their coverage (just not as much as WPVI). I also salute the reporters for risking their lives for the same thing. I also complement thr meteorologists for their great work. Anchors same here.

 

WCAU and WTXF were very good. CAU was lower than KYW. And WTXF was least.

 

THANK YOU.

[Guest Former Member 207]

As I write, DirecTV is simulcasting WJLA's coverage.

[first on fox 18]

Fox Biz Network is streaming NY's FOX 5.

[newsguy22 59]

Let me respond.

 

I won't get into graphics or the use of UStream technology, because frankly the general public doesn't care about that. They want information, and that's what we gave them. Remember, the people who post on this board, myself included, are a unique breed. Regular people don't care about graphics font or music packages. They want accurate, local, potentially live saving information, which is what WTKR and all of the local stations gave them.

 

As for dissing The Weather Channel, that was me who did it. I did it on TV. I did it on Facebook and Twitter, too. And you know what? If Jim Cantore came to my house and met me face to face, I'd tell him the same thing. When a hurricane like Irene is making a direct hit on your town, a national network, with a history for pumping up dramatics, is NOT the best source for local information. We had so many viewers writing in, saying they saw this or that on TWC, things that either were not true, or blown out of proportion, and wondering why we weren't saying the same thing. Many of our viewers also expressed frustration that the networks were focusing mainly on New York City. I don't feel bad at all about reminding people that local stations are the way to go in times like these.

 

I am extremely proud of the hard work done by my WTKR colleagues, and frankly, done by all of the local news teams this weekend. We all have an obligation to serve our viewers in times of crisis, and that's exactly what we did.

 

Have a great day,

Blaine Stewart

News Anchor, WTKR

 

 

Currently in Hampton Roads, the best coverage is probably on WAVY, followed by WVEC. Both of which are doing extremely well in coverage, and I want to say at times WVEC tops WAVY, but they're both providing excellent coverage about the same.

 

WTKR's coverage is mediocre and quite frankly unwatchable. Their graphics are total shit, and they are using "UStream" for their reporters in the field. They even had the audacity to diss The Weather Channel's coverage of the storm and plug their own coverage. That is very unprofessional.

 

Over in the Eastern North Carolina market, WITN's live coverage has been going on since at least midnight, probably before, with no interruptions. So I want to say WITN's coverage of Irene is probably the best in this market, however WCTI is also doing well in coverage, and WNCT's coverage is probably my least favorite, but they are still doing a good job as well. Basically, all 3 stations are doing a good job at covering Irene.

[djsantos 0]

Neat little behind the scenes look at the WCVB Boston hurricane coverage on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150292532144445.353493.68174059444&type=1

[bhratbrat 437]

Let me respond.

 

I won't get into graphics or the use of UStream technology, because frankly the general public doesn't care about that. They want information, and that's what we gave them. Remember, the people who post on this board, myself included, are a unique breed. Regular people don't care about graphics font or music packages. They want accurate, local, potentially live saving information, which is what WTKR and all of the local stations gave them.

 

As for dissing The Weather Channel, that was me who did it. I did it on TV. I did it on Facebook and Twitter, too. And you know what? If Jim Cantore came to my house and met me face to face, I'd tell him the same thing. When a hurricane like Irene is making a direct hit on your town, a national network, with a history for pumping up dramatics, is NOT the best source for local information. We had so many viewers writing in, saying they saw this or that on TWC, things that either were not true, or blown out of proportion, and wondering why we weren't saying the same thing. Many of our viewers also expressed frustration that the networks were focusing mainly on New York City. I don't feel bad at all about reminding people that local stations are the way to go in times like these.

 

I am extremely proud of the hard work done by my WTKR colleagues, and frankly, done by all of the local news teams this weekend. We all have an obligation to serve our viewers in times of crisis, and that's exactly what we did.

 

Have a great day,

Blaine Stewart

News Anchor, WTKR

 

I do agree with Blaine on this issue. In my honest opinion there was too much coverage going on in and around the New York City area with ABC and NBC on Saturday doing a very expansive newscast just related to the hurricane. CBS on Saturday Night did a ten minute segment about Irene and then went on to the rest of the news.

 

Local stations are a lot better in covering the towns and metropolitan areas that they do serve because they are from there.

 

I understand what the national news outlets were thinking with the coverage is that it does affect 30 million people and there is a lot of other people that might have family or relatives up there. But, with me playing devils advocate here, take a look at coverage from another hurricane that might hit elsewhere like South Florida, Southeast Texas or really elsewhere. The coverage would not be so vast for ABC, CBS, or NBC. And the Weather Channel would be the main players covering the storm. ABC, CBS, NBC would send one or two correspondents down there to report on whats going on and then maybe the aftermath. But because the storm went through major metro areas like D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, I guess the networks thought that the coverage was warranted. But that is just my own two cents in this case. Wish y'all a good day.

[alaskanews 113]

I will say I'm a bit biased because Blaine is a friend of mine, but I really liked WTKR's coverage. I would occasionally change to WAVY or WVEC to see what they were doing, and I felt WTKR had great coverage. Their people were calming but informative, the crowd-sourcing of pictures was great, better I thought than the competition. And Patrick Rockey obviously had a lot of experience with hurricanes, it showed. I think the other stations spent too much time using their Skype liveshots (WTKR wasn't the only one streaming shots...) and not enough time saying what the storm was GOING to do...

 

I think judging coverage of a huge weather event based on the station's graphics is missing the point completely...

 

Great job Blaine, and everyone covering the storms. It's a tough and tiring assignment!

 

Let me respond.

 

I won't get into graphics or the use of UStream technology, because frankly the general public doesn't care about that. They want information, and that's what we gave them. Remember, the people who post on this board, myself included, are a unique breed. Regular people don't care about graphics font or music packages. They want accurate, local, potentially live saving information, which is what WTKR and all of the local stations gave them.

 

As for dissing The Weather Channel, that was me who did it. I did it on TV. I did it on Facebook and Twitter, too. And you know what? If Jim Cantore came to my house and met me face to face, I'd tell him the same thing. When a hurricane like Irene is making a direct hit on your town, a national network, with a history for pumping up dramatics, is NOT the best source for local information. We had so many viewers writing in, saying they saw this or that on TWC, things that either were not true, or blown out of proportion, and wondering why we weren't saying the same thing. Many of our viewers also expressed frustration that the networks were focusing mainly on New York City. I don't feel bad at all about reminding people that local stations are the way to go in times like these.

 

I am extremely proud of the hard work done by my WTKR colleagues, and frankly, done by all of the local news teams this weekend. We all have an obligation to serve our viewers in times of crisis, and that's exactly what we did.

 

Have a great day,

Blaine Stewart

News Anchor, WTKR

[DMA 135]

I agree, the national newscasts were preempted by continuing local coverage, so the coverage was needlessly redundant. That's not to say the nationals shouldn't have devoted time to the storm; after all, it did affect 60+ million people in the most populated area of the country. Perhaps 15-20 minutes would have been appropriate.

[TVNewsLover 782]

First, I think what makes this hurricane different from others is it hit a part of the country that almost never sees hurricanes, and that's why so much coverage was devoted to it. People around here have not much experience in dealing with hurricanes.

 

As far as dissing the Weather Channel's coverage, I think that's unprofessional. The more professional way to address it is let your own coverage speak for itself, or at the very least don't refer to other channels by name.

[Ntropolis 596]

Good ol Andy Fox... "I'm past perpendicular"