Winter Storm Janus

[Jess 1115]

I figured I'd start this so everyone including those 100 miles south of New York can discuss the storm.

 

Particularly because we here in Philly are getting hit hardest with this.

 

Have a general coverage guide over at droptheweatherchannel.com.

 

Philly market:

 

WCAU came on at 11am and is staying live through the noon hour, and quite possibly right through until 4pm. (Days of Our Lives got bumped to Cozi.) Great coverage and frequent radar hits. I don't like that heavy snow band that's right on top of us and just not budging. Glenn had the highest forecasts and it looks like his forecast is shaping up to be the reality.

 

WPVI is at least doing an expanded noon newscast. Looks like they're going to go beyond that, too. (They're going through the 1pm hour.

 

KYW has signed off but is running a news ticker (in the old O&O style, of course). KYW is back live as of 1pm and it looks like they're going to be staying on. WPSG has become CBS 57.

 

WTXF is doing cut-ins and has a scroll, but hasn't gone to live coverage.

[Leavellebrett 85]

There hasn't been any expanded coverage at all in the Altoona market. The only ticker that is running is the school cancellations and early dismissals. But, we only have three inches (and counting) and you're supposed to get more.

[ToriElectra 292]

Nothing in NYC at all, except WPIX, which is still running a closings ticker. Strange.

[bammy9 26]

As of right now here in the DC market, WRC's been going wall to wall on this storm. The station will start their morning news half an hour early tomorrow. WTTG is airing coverage of the storm in place of the back to back Judge Judy episodes. WJLA is pre-empting the Queen Latifah Show due to the snow's coverage. WUSA has been airing coverage of the storm since 3:30, moving Inside Edition and Dr. Phil to their 8.3 digital subchannel.

[Jess 1115]

WPVI, WCAU, WTXF, and KYW are all live at 5, normal newscast times.

 

WCAU has a bitchin' open that's the best use of Look F I've ever seen - they've used actual snowstorm footage in place of the usual (randomized) video.

 

They're also running promos saying they'll have coverage of the "First Alert Snowstorm" until it ends. Which is around midnight.

 

Also, Sam Champion's making his TWC debut right now, if anyone cares. I'm not watching it today as much as I have been, mostly because this is a local storm and the local meteorlogists cover it better. Glenn is knocking it out of the park today.

[Mrknowitall526 115]

 

WPVI, WCAU, WTXF, and KYW are all live at 5, normal newscast times.

 

WCAU has a bitchin' open that's the best use of Look F I've ever seen - they've used actual snowstorm footage in place of the usual (randomized) video.

 

They're also running promos saying they'll have coverage of the "First Alert Snowstorm" until it ends. Which is around midnight.

 

Also, Sam Champion's making his TWC debut right now, if anyone cares. I'm not watching it today as much as I have been, mostly because this is a local storm and the local meteorlogists cover it better. Glenn is knocking it out of the park today.

 

WPVI was on from 12-6:30pm. Poor Karen Rogers worked over 12 hours today doing traffic - someone handed her a slice of pizza live on the air during the 5 o'clock hour.

 

Matt O'Donnell also anchored until around 3pm - what a long day for him as well!

 

Didn't watch anyone else except WFMZ, they extended the morning show by an hour and came on at 4pm instead of 5.

[Jess 1115]

Well, WCAU ended up going until 6:30, paused for Nightly News, then went another hour at 7. They'll be doing an hour of news at 11.

 

And then - not a misprint - NBC 10 News Today will begin ninety minutes early.

 

Yes, they're starting the morning news at three in the morning.

[bostonmediaguy 123]

 

Well, WCAU ended up going until 6:30, paused for Nightly News, then went another hour at 7. They'll be doing an hour of news at 11.

 

And then - not a misprint - NBC 10 News Today will begin ninety minutes early.

 

Yes, they're starting the morning news at three in the morning.

 

Is the 3am start really necessary? I'm not very familiar with Philadelphia's climate. Is a 12" snowstorm that rare?

[WCAUTVNBC10 413]

Snowstorms are the Super Bowl of DMA 4. Anything over 5" will get you wall to wall coverage here. Also we're getting well over 12" in areas here and it'll be still snowing in some areas at 3AM so I can see why they're doing it.

[Jess 1115]

 

Is the 3am start really necessary? I'm not very familiar with Philadelphia's climate. Is a 12" snowstorm that rare?

 

Couple of things.

 

1.) This market is weather-crazy. Weather will be the third story even if it's 72 degrees and sunny out. Big storms, especially the kinds that bring snow, will merit intense wall-to-wall coverage. Even things like the Moore tornado will dominate newscasts here.

 

2.) Philly's weather climate is a

Yes, we get snow, but our storms are usually in the 4-8 inch range. Anything that produces the kind of snow this system ended up doing - a foot or so - is a huge deal. We also get major flooding storms, long heat waves in the summer, etc.

 

3.) The current regime at 10 - including ND Anzio Williams - is competitive. Moore tornado? Let's send our morning news anchor and lead meteorologist to the site. We're getting our helicopter back? Awesome, let's get the biggest one and put every single gadget we can find inside of it. The station needs new anchors? Okay, let's get someone who was very popular in Orlando and someone who was a lead anchor in New York. Reporters? Let's have twenty or so. This ambition plus Comcast money means that they will be the first ones to break in for anything and the last ones to leave coverage. And for the large part, they are extremely good at what they do.

 

So 3am morning news kind of makes sense. Even though it kind of doesn't.

[ThunderJay27 45]

 

WPVI, WCAU, WTXF, and KYW are all live at 5, normal newscast times.

 

WCAU has a bitchin' open that's the best use of Look F I've ever seen - they've used actual snowstorm footage in place of the usual (randomized) video.

 

They're also running promos saying they'll have coverage of the "First Alert Snowstorm" until it ends. Which is around midnight.

 

Also, Sam Champion's making his TWC debut right now, if anyone cares. I'm not watching it today as much as I have been, mostly because this is a local storm and the local meteorlogists cover it better. Glenn is knocking it out of the park today.

 

I like how 10's put it in "Beast Mode". And this when they're missing pieces like Sheena Parveen and Ted Florendo. Shows the depth of their team against the competition's main A squads.

[Jess 1115]

 

I like how 10's put it in "Beast Mode". And this when they're missing pieces like Sheena Parveen and Ted Florendo. Shows the depth of their team against the competition's main A squads.

 

Florendo got stuck somewhere and couldn't make it back here in time. Sheena's been conspicuous by her absence, though strangely they dubbed her voice into one of the First Alert Snowstorm promos.

 

I don't know if I'd say they all had their main A squads in - Jim Gardner's out and Rick was filling in (though honestly that's not the biggest deal). And 10 and 29 both had relatively new anchors for long stretches, though Rosemary Connors and Chris Murphy were excellent.

 

But yeah, I think it speaks to the depth of their team - even WPVI's fabled farm system isn't as deep as what 10 has right now. And they're all spread out in different places. Center City? Lu Ann Cahn. King of Prussia? Deanna Durante. Delaware? Tim Furlong at the rest stop. They hit the right areas with the right reporters and had the best weather forecasting and nowcasting by far.

 

And while they go a bit tabloid with some stuff, their opens today were really awesome:

 

[yt]t4TsWIIORAE[/yt]

 

10 is just on fire right now. They are the newscast to beat in terms of quality.

[TVNewsLover 779]

Keith Jones was out on the field reporting for 10 at 11pm, so he must have returned from wherever he was.

 

Wonder who was on in the am that they had Rosemary anchoring at 11am.

 

Also Brian and Monica anchored all they way through to 6pm when Rick took over. Wondering why he didn't anchor the 5pm with Monica.

[24994J 5577]

 

Also Brian and Monica anchored all they way through to 6pm when Rick took over. Wondering why he didn't anchor the 5pm with Monica.

 

If there was a chance of being on during the evening or late into the night, I'm guessing it's in the station and Rick's best interest to keep him as fresh as possible.

[ThunderJay27 45]

 

Florendo got stuck somewhere and couldn't make it back here in time. Sheena's been conspicuous by her absence, though strangely they dubbed her voice into one of the First Alert Snowstorm promos.

 

I don't know if I'd say they all had their main A squads in - Jim Gardner's out and Rick was filling in (though honestly that's not the biggest deal). And 10 and 29 both had relatively new anchors for long stretches, though Rosemary Connors and Chris Murphy were excellent.

 

But yeah, I think it speaks to the depth of their team - even WPVI's fabled farm system isn't as deep as what 10 has right now. And they're all spread out in different places. Center City? Lu Ann Cahn. King of Prussia? Deanna Durante. Delaware? Tim Furlong at the rest stop. They hit the right areas with the right reporters and had the best weather forecasting and nowcasting by far.

 

And while they go a bit tabloid with some stuff, their opens today were really awesome:

 

[yt]t4TsWIIORAE[/yt]

 

10 is just on fire right now. They are the newscast to beat in terms of quality.

 

 

Have to be up early to prepare for work, but wanted to note, through all the wind and cold, SkyForce 10 is up and flying over the area. And according to Sheena's Twitter,

 

 

Sheena Parveen ‏@SheenaParveen15h

For those of you watching our snow coverage on #NBC10, I'm sorry I'm not there-stuck out of the country at the moment. Will be back tomorrow

[Mrknowitall526 115]

 

 

10 is just on fire right now. They are the newscast to beat in terms of quality.

 

Yet 6 will probably continue to be the leader. I don't watch 10 much but I've never really cared for their weather forecasts. Cecily & Adam and the rest of the Accuweather crew don't cause hype and are always accurate.

 

3AM seems a bit over kill. Especially since around 11 pm most of the snow was done. I even think 4:30 is a stretch for early morning news on a regular day! I remember when it used to only run from 6-7 in the morning.

[Mrknowitall526 115]

 

Is the 3am start really necessary? I'm not very familiar with Philadelphia's climate. Is a 12" snowstorm that rare?

 

For the N&W suburbs, Lehigh Valley, Poconos, Jersey Shore - not so much. But for Philadelphia proper to get so much - so quickly - it is. Also quite rare for us to have such extreme cold temps for prolonged periods of time.

[WCAUTVNBC10 413]

 

Keith Jones was out on the field reporting for 10 at 11pm, so he must have returned from wherever he was.

 

Wonder who was on in the am that they had Rosemary anchoring at 11am.

 

Also Brian and Monica anchored all they way through to 6pm when Rick took over. Wondering why he didn't anchor the 5pm with Monica.

 

Rosemary worked the morning with Tracy and then at 11AM Renee joined her and they worked into the afternoon.

 

 

 

Yet 6 will probably continue to be the leader. I don't watch 10 much but I've never really cared for their weather forecasts. Cecily & Adam and the rest of the Accuweather crew don't cause hype and are always accurate.

 

3AM seems a bit over kill. Especially since around 11 pm most of the snow was done. I even think 4:30 is a stretch for early morning news on a regular day! I remember when it used to only run from 6-7 in the morning.

 

Yeeeeeah you might wanna check how accurate 6 has been through the last few snowstorms. They for the most part trend towards the conservative end of things and they end up being dead wrong as a result.

[Jess 1115]

Yet 6 will probably continue to be the leader. I don't watch 10 much but I've never really cared for their weather forecasts. Cecily & Adam and the rest of the Accuweather crew don't cause hype and are always accurate.

I kind of think the opposite. 6's weather has gotten way, way more hyped in the last few years - StormTracker 6 DoubleScan LIVE! - while 10's gone the other way. 10 might have the sexier "First Alert Weather" branding, but their forecasts are nowhere near as overhyped and overdone like they were in the NewsCenter Era. In fact, I thought they were much more informative and valuable than 6's coverage. For example, since they started doing First Alert, they've been doing more county-by-county forecasts, as the weather can differ from the Lehigh Valley to the shore. I appreciated how 10 went from county to county and ran down the snow totals for each municipality, rather than the other stations' "here's some of the biggest totals" approach.

 

And I emphasize once more, 10 got this forecast right when nobody else did. Everyone was going for the 4-8 range, but 10 was the only one who predicted the "jackpot zone" that we ended up in. They kept bumping it up and eventually gave a 9-16 forecast, which was pretty much what we got.

 

3AM seems a bit over kill. Especially since around 11 pm most of the snow was done. I even think 4:30 is a stretch for early morning news on a regular day! I remember when it used to only run from 6-7 in the morning.

I remember when these newscasts started at 6:30. When KYW relaunched their newscasts, they were the first ones to go to a 6am start time. 6 followed a couple months later and paired then-solo anchor Monica Malpass with Rick Williams. Then it went gradually from there. I think eventually we're gonna see everyone start at 4am, which is probably the earliest you can get away with.

 

Doing news at 3 in the morning is insane. Then again, there's apparently an alarmingly high audience for the repeat of the "Hoda and Kathie Lee get drunk" hour of Today. To their credit, though, they spent the majority of that hour doing detailed phone interviews with all of the area's DOT and transit agencies about their conditions. That's kind of the approach 10's taken since Anzio Williams joined as ND.

 

I think these two tweets signify the different approaches 6 and 10 take:

 

@nbcphiladelphia: WHAT TO DO: Trash, shoveling & parking: http://bit.ly/1dPOost | #Philly #NBC10snow pic.twitter.com/VvaZgjZcj3

@6abc: If you've not yet tuned into @6at4, now is the time to do it. The story of the "Sled Baby" in NEXT! http://6abc.cm/LHjs1n

6 might be the ratings leader, and they might stay that way for a long time. But editorially, 10 is unquestionably the best news station in the market right now.

[Mrknowitall526 115]

 

I kind of think the opposite. 6's weather has gotten way, way more hyped in the last few years - StormTracker 6 DoubleScan LIVE! - while 10's gone the other way. 10 might have the sexier "First Alert Weather" branding, but their forecasts are nowhere near as overhyped and overdone like they were in the NewsCenter Era. In fact, I thought they were much more informative and valuable than 6's coverage. For example, since they started doing First Alert, they've been doing more county-by-county forecasts, as the weather can differ from the Lehigh Valley to the shore. I appreciated how 10 went from county to county and ran down the snow totals for each municipality, rather than the other stations' "here's some of the biggest totals" approach.

 

And I emphasize once more, 10 got this forecast right when nobody else did. Everyone was going for the 4-8 range, but 10 was the only one who predicted the "jackpot zone" that we ended up in. They kept bumping it up and eventually gave a 9-16 forecast, which was pretty much what we got.

 

 

I remember when these newscasts started at 6:30. When KYW relaunched their newscasts, they were the first ones to go to a 6am start time. 6 followed a couple months later and paired then-solo anchor Monica Malpass with Rick Williams. Then it went gradually from there. I think eventually we're gonna see everyone start at 4am, which is probably the earliest you can get away with.

 

Doing news at 3 in the morning is insane. Then again, there's apparently an alarmingly high audience for the repeat of the "Hoda and Kathie Lee get drunk" hour of Today. To their credit, though, they spent the majority of that hour doing detailed phone interviews with all of the area's DOT and transit agencies about their conditions. That's kind of the approach 10's taken since Anzio Williams joined as ND.

 

I think these two tweets signify the different approaches 6 and 10 take:

 

 

 

 

6 might be the ratings leader, and they might stay that way for a long time. But editorially, 10 is unquestionably the best news station in the market right now.

 

6 started with 4-8", then changed to 6-12 with a "12"+ Locally" which is what happened. They had Allentown right on the 3-6/6-12 line, and we got right around 6".

 

Just playing Devil's Advocate here. 6 did that county-by-county, but after all was said and done. They normally do 3 separate regions for high/low temps, and do a more detailed forecast for Allentown and Atlantic City everyday. But that seems to be the standard now, anyway.