jero23 105 Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 Due to the bad economy we are see that number of stations have grounded their news helicopters via partnering with another station in their market (NBC O&Os and Fox O&Os) or some other market news-gathering agreement. However, there are others like the Local TV Fox stations like KDVR, WDAF-TV have flat out refused to renew their contracts on their helicopters and laying off the reporters/helicopter pilots. So what's happening in your market with news stations? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTVNews 194 Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 I've noticed much less use of helicopters. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 596 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 WVEC is no longer using theirs, all after getting it a new paint job for the first time. They leased it from HeloAir. WAVY still uses their chopper (which they own), but not using it as much as they used to. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickMa 0 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 WNEP no longer uses their chopper. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennTV1983 804 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 WREG in Memphis no longer has a news helicopter. Curiously enough, their old chopper is now being used by WMC, and has been rebranded as Chopper 5. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55240 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmmontgomery 0 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 The ABC affiliate here in Birmingham (WCFT/WBMA/WJSU) has not used their heli in a very long time. It's name, painted on the side as "AirLink 33/40" is still there, but the station outsources the chopper. I believe they pay per use. They very rarely used it anyway. I didn't even have a camera mounted on it. It was just a regular chopper, and they would stick a photographer in it. I don't even think it has the capability to go live anymore. For some reason though, they still use it in their open. [YT][/YT] Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55243 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGSJenkins 435 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 KUTV in Salt Lake City (a former CBS O&O) grounded their chopper (helicopter) for a different type chopper (motorcycle) called "Chopper 2." http://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=41458 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55253 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PitCleTV 9 Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 WKYC, WEWS and WJW, all in Cleveland, have grounded their choppers. But I think WOIO still uses their chopper once and a while. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55273 Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyewitness_news 5 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 WTNH in Connecticut grounded "Chopper 8." Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55395 Share on other sites More sharing options...
channel2 979 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 KDVR in Denver no longer uses "SkyFox". Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
News24/7 3 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 NBC Bay Area no longer uses Bay Gull Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/5912-news-helicopters-being-permanent-grounded-by-tv-stations/#findComment-55463 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.