WFLA's automation screw-ups

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I love this post.

 

I have posted several times on how WFLA's automation (which prompted the layoff of some employees) has crashed again during the am news.

 

Today, their automation crapped out and aired commercials DURING a "taped" story. - for 7 minutes. They claimed they could not stop it.

 

This has been going on for several months. Technically, the news shows prior to automation taking over the station and "saving them $$", their shows were very clean, technically accurate, and interesting. Now, it is even more interesting but in a low life way. WFLA continues to show it is a joke of a station (and one could draw that Media General is as well).

 

btw, when they fix the automation problem (try hiring real people FLA) they need to dump Guyardo.

[10Viewer 338]

What are the other Bay Area stations doing with automation?? Isn't it a given that every TV station will adopt this concept?

 

WCMH in Columbus is a Media General station that also has a lot of automation problems. I believe their master control is operated out of Tampa.

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There's two types of automation...the one in the news / programming control room, and the one that sits in Master Control. If you think WPXI's automation woes are bad--those are just coming out of their control room. Imagine how it would be if, combined with that, you have a bonkers master control system.

 

This is a master control system screw-up for sure. These can be really nuts and, like you said, cut into programming. If no one's there to pick it up...that system can keep rolling and it can become a nightmare.

 

It's an unfortunate thing to happen during a Sweeps month especially, because then I have to wonder if those 7 minutes of commercials get counted in the Nielsens, whether it gets thrown out, or whether WFLA will TRY to get that particular show thrown out.

 

 

-T

[ib-td 1]

There's two types of automation...the one in the news / programming control room, and the one that sits in Master Control. If you think WPXI's automation woes are bad--those are just coming out of their control room. Imagine how it would be if, combined with that, you have a bonkers master control system.

 

This is a master control system screw-up for sure. These can be really nuts and, like you said, cut into programming. If no one's there to pick it up...that system can keep rolling and it can become a nightmare.

 

It's an unfortunate thing to happen during a Sweeps month especially, because then I have to wonder if those 7 minutes of commercials get counted in the Nielsens, whether it gets thrown out, or whether WFLA will TRY to get that particular show thrown out.

 

 

-T

 

 

A station can also have different levels of automation from full to still store only. I believe FLA needs to spend the $$ and hire back those who were let go for that experiment. The people of central Florida live in hurricane central. Does any station think its community would want to have these problems while a Katrina, Charlie, Andrew, or other bangs their door?

 

roflmao, Chris.