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am1430...a news station?

P

perenoel6218

yesterday at the 3pm newscast paul poteet gave the weather forecast...mind you,
by now we all knew that heavy storms were approaching and high damaging winds.
his report: a recorded forecast from the day before!!! is anyone
running that station? they call themselves a NEWS and TALK station?
we long for the days when our indy stations were mostly owned by folks here
in town who CARED. maybe someday. maybe someday.
 
> yesterday at the 3pm newscast paul poteet gave the weather
> forecast...mind you,
> by now we all knew that heavy storms were approaching and
> high damaging winds.
> his report: a recorded forecast from the day before!!! is
> anyone
> running that station? they call themselves a NEWS and TALK
> station?
> we long for the days when our indy stations were mostly
> owned by folks here
> in town who CARED. maybe someday. maybe someday.
>
certainly a poor oversight on the part of WXNT...but, I hardly think its fair to crucify a station for an isolated mistake. I think the more important issue is that this market as a whole is doing a very poor job of disseminating severe weather information via radio. I know from scanning the dial during Thursday evening storms that I can say with confidence that about 80% of stations were flat out not running EAS warnings on the air...at all. This is very disappointing. Maybe its time to switch out attention from developing mediocre formats that require no personalities or thought at all to accepting the responsibility of radio to be a provider of local content and information, especially regarding severe weather.
 
WXNT's errord are not isolated. They run the wrong days weather, traffic reports from the previous hour, even newscasts from the previous day. They claim to be the only place to get "the truth". Does truth have a shelf life?
They have some good syndicated shows, but they are running the place on the cheap. Are they operated by WalMart? No maybe it's K-Mart.


> > yesterday at the 3pm newscast paul poteet gave the weather
>
> > forecast...mind you,
> > by now we all knew that heavy storms were approaching and
> > high damaging winds.
> > his report: a recorded forecast from the day before!!!
> is
> > anyone
> > running that station? they call themselves a NEWS and
> TALK
> > station?
> > we long for the days when our indy stations were mostly
> > owned by folks here
> > in town who CARED. maybe someday. maybe someday.
> >
> certainly a poor oversight on the part of WXNT...but, I
> hardly think its fair to crucify a station for an isolated
> mistake. I think the more important issue is that this
> market as a whole is doing a very poor job of disseminating
> severe weather information via radio. I know from scanning
> the dial during Thursday evening storms that I can say with
> confidence that about 80% of stations were flat out not
> running EAS warnings on the air...at all. This is very
> disappointing. Maybe its time to switch out attention from
> developing mediocre formats that require no personalities or
> thought at all to accepting the responsibility of radio to
> be a provider of local content and information, especially
> regarding severe weather.
>
 
> WXNT's errord are not isolated. They run the wrong days
> weather, traffic reports from the previous hour, even
> newscasts from the previous day. They claim to be the only
> place to get "the truth". Does truth have a shelf life?
> They have some good syndicated shows, but they are running
> the place on the cheap. Are they operated by WalMart? No
> maybe it's K-Mart.
>
>
>

Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case for taped weather-thats pretty common for radio stations-but news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.
 
> Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case for
> taped weather-thats pretty common for radio stations-but
> news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.

Not only that, immediacy is also important.
 
> > Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case for
> > taped weather-thats pretty common for radio stations-but
> > news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.
>
> Not only that, immediacy is also important.
>
In my opinion the FCC should be less interested in whether a radio station
is airing the F word or anything like that, because that does me absolutely
no harm. Running a day old weather report, when tornados are immiment,
that could. License renewal time, anyone?
 
> > > Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case for
> > > taped weather-thats pretty common for radio stations-but
>
> > > news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.
> >
> > Not only that, immediacy is also important.
> >
> In my opinion the FCC should be less interested in whether a
> radio station
> is airing the F word or anything like that, because that
> does me absolutely
> no harm. Running a day old weather report, when tornados
> are immiment,
> that could. License renewal time, anyone?
>


Pretty interesting comments folks.

Let me introduce myself....I'm Marcus Bailey, night news anchor for WXNT (6p-12a M-F). As I read the post about last nights severe weather coverage, I find myself wondering what stations people were actually listening to. Is it possible that a weather forecast from a previous day was played in the afternoon? Maybe...it was another shift and I cannot confirm that. I will say that I was in studio from the start of the storms to the finish.....and was on before EAS was transmitting warnings in the area thanks to some NWS friends. Were we in the middle of sydicated shows? Yes. Were warnings broadcast in a timely fashion? Like I said before...I was on the air before EAS was sending out warnings. If no new warnings were issued.....previous warnings were announced and repeated every 10 minutes.

On the comments of news.....recorded news is not our thing here. We have a warm body in the news room 24 hours a day. Newscasts are done LIVE throughout this time. I understand that many of you don't know this because you can't see it. Give it a listen sometime...as it seems many of you are still posting comments about the station's happenings from years ago.

I welcome your comments/concerns.

Thanks!
Marcus Bailey
News Anchor
News Talk 1430 WXNT
 
> > > > Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case
> for
> > > > taped weather-thats pretty common for radio
> stations-but
> >
> > > > news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.
> > >
> > > Not only that, immediacy is also important.
> > >
> > In my opinion the FCC should be less interested in whether
> a
> > radio station
> > is airing the F word or anything like that, because that
> > does me absolutely
> > no harm. Running a day old weather report, when tornados
>
> > are immiment,
> > that could. License renewal time, anyone?
> >
>
>

Sir, there is NO MAYBE about it....Paul Poteet's 3pm weather coming out of
your station's Fox/Hummel(sp?) newscast was a DAY OLD!!! A station that
just ONCE plays a day old weather report cannot be considered a serious
news station. Why could not the local newscaster, Gary H., have done
the weather? Makes more sense to me than having a tv guy give it. Or was
that newscast recorded much earlier too? Who is running things at am1430?
Maybe you do not remember Indy radio 10,20,30 years ago, but rest assured,
that kind of sloppy concern for listeners never happened while I was
listening, and I do a lot of radio listening.
On the plus side, you are to be congratulated for your evening coverage,
if it indeed go as you have replied...I listened that evening to WIBC and
had channel 50 on my tv for the radar coverage. I can also be a bit
critical of WIBC...at 9pm they took to their local sportshow....right in
the middle of the worst of the warnings for Indy. Granted the host did
mention the weather and such, but if I were running a true NEWS station,
that show would have been put on hold and weather would have taken the
total attention.
Where is Lou Palmer and the rest of the old WIBC crew that cared about
weather and the listeners?
My suggestion: drop the Poteet weather bit, do them live by the on air
person or the board op. I think the average INDY radio listener could
care less who is telling them to get the hell to their basements!!!
I could be wrong though. I am sure some consultant told the owners of the
station that having a tv weather person give the weather gave the station
so much more image and I am sure that has translated into many points on
your rating column...LOL!
> Pretty interesting comments folks.
>
> Let me introduce myself....I'm Marcus Bailey, night news
> anchor for WXNT (6p-12a M-F). As I read the post about last
> nights severe weather coverage, I find myself wondering what
> stations people were actually listening to. Is it possible
> that a weather forecast from a previous day was played in
> the afternoon? Maybe...it was another shift and I cannot
> confirm that. I will say that I was in studio from the
> start of the storms to the finish.....and was on before EAS
> was transmitting warnings in the area thanks to some NWS
> friends. Were we in the middle of sydicated shows? Yes.
> Were warnings broadcast in a timely fashion? Like I said
> before...I was on the air before EAS was sending out
> warnings. If no new warnings were issued.....previous
> warnings were announced and repeated every 10 minutes.
>
> On the comments of news.....recorded news is not our thing
> here. We have a warm body in the news room 24 hours a day.
> Newscasts are done LIVE throughout this time. I understand
> that many of you don't know this because you can't see it.
> Give it a listen sometime...as it seems many of you are
> still posting comments about the station's happenings from
> years ago.
>
> I welcome your comments/concerns.
>
> Thanks!
> Marcus Bailey
> News Anchor
> News Talk 1430 WXNT
>
 
If ownership wants to support their staff, just set the EAS for an automatic reply to activate any incoming alert as well as weekly required/monthly required test....At least you'll get the quickest way to relay information.. Many stations don't allow their engineers to set their EAS units to those settings.. Thus, if there is no one near, the relay is delayed or not aired at all.... EAS is in need of a major overhaul, anyway...
 
I can tell you that when I used to work there (over 3 years ago now), the EAS system, between the hours of 5a to 7p was actually controlled out of the WTPI studios. During that time, there was a switch on the WTPI console that put XNT (or WMYS for the rest of us) into simulcast with WTPI so the jock could relay weather information to both stations. After 7p, the EAS unit in the WXNT air studio was programmed to go into automatic forward mode, and the nice TFT relays were installed to make it fully automatic. As for Paul's weather, (and again, this goes back a few years), we would get an e-mail from him early in the morning with the day's weather that was loaded into the automation system and played back. If there was severe weather, he would either send up new MP3's of his forecast, or call us up to record one.

> If ownership wants to support their staff, just set the EAS
> for an automatic reply to activate any incoming alert as
> well as weekly required/monthly required test....At least
> you'll get the quickest way to relay information.. Many
> stations don't allow their engineers to set their EAS units
> to those settings.. Thus, if there is no one near, the relay
> is delayed or not aired at all.... EAS is in need of a major
> overhaul, anyway...
>
 
> I can tell you that when I used to work there (over 3 years
> ago now), the EAS system, between the hours of 5a to 7p was
> actually controlled out of the WTPI studios. During that
> time, there was a switch on the WTPI console that put XNT
> (or WMYS for the rest of us) into simulcast with WTPI so the
> jock could relay weather information to both stations. After
> 7p, the EAS unit in the WXNT air studio was programmed to go
> into automatic forward mode, and the nice TFT relays were
> installed to make it fully automatic. As for Paul's weather,
> (and again, this goes back a few years), we would get an
> e-mail from him early in the morning with the day's weather
> that was loaded into the automation system and played back.
> If there was severe weather, he would either send up new
> MP3's of his forecast, or call us up to record one.
>
> AVDemigod...good to see you checking in!
 
> yesterday at the 3pm newscast paul poteet gave the weather
> forecast...mind you,
> by now we all knew that heavy storms were approaching and
> high damaging winds.
> his report: a recorded forecast from the day before!!! is
> anyone
> running that station? they call themselves a NEWS and TALK
> station?
> we long for the days when our indy stations were mostly
> owned by folks here
> in town who CARED. maybe someday. maybe someday.
>

There is a "live person" on duty at WXNT all night long (actually starting at 7 p.m.), running the syndicated programming manually, doing news updates each hour, and monitoring the two other sister stations "The Track" and WZPL. So if there are any glitches, they are not usually equipment related, but the same as in the old days of radio, when we ALL made mistakes, now didn't we?

-Dave
 
> There is a "live person" on duty at WXNT all night long
> (actually starting at 7 p.m.), running the syndicated
> programming manually, doing news updates each hour, and
> monitoring the two other sister stations "The Track" and
> WZPL. So if there are any glitches, they are not usually
> equipment related, but the same as in the old days of radio,
> when we ALL made mistakes, now didn't we?
>
> -Dave
>
SO WHY CANNOT THIS "LIVE PERSON" GIVE THE UPDATED WEATHER, INSTEAD OF SOME
STALE RECORDED FORECAST???
Sure, we have all made mistakes in our profession. However, I do not ever
remember when one person was responsible for "running" three radio stations
at the same time...and trying to coordinate important news and weather
info. Apparently WISH tv runs master control for a dozen or more tv licenses
these days. I guess the main concern is to have management cut way down
on labor and use technology to its fullest. Does the audience benefit from
that? Or do the pocketbooks of the owners and shareholders.
We can all look back to the Telecom Act of 1996 and shake our heads. What
is done is done. Now we can only realize the damage that has been done to not
only the audience but to the broadcast professionals. Lower pay, more
responsibilities and certainly fewer jobs.

There was some light at the end of the tunnel a few years back when Low Power
FM arose on the horizon. But, thanks to the NAB and National Public Radio,
the majority of major markets did not see any new allocations. That was a pity.
It could have been a major catalyst to force commercial stations to once
again review their formats, open up more their staff numbers, delve more
into creative programming, and treat each station as a unique outlet instead
of having one "live person" monitor an automated track hour after hour.
 
It happened again this week. On Tuesday Paul Poteet's forecast for the previous weekend aired in the afternoon. I'm sure it's not Paul's fault, but it makes him & them look foolish.


> > > > Why is everything on tape? Like, I can make a case
> for
> > > > taped weather-thats pretty common for radio
> stations-but
> >
> > > > news? I though tht whole point of news was imediacy.
> > >
> > > Not only that, immediacy is also important.
> > >
> > In my opinion the FCC should be less interested in whether
> a
> > radio station
> > is airing the F word or anything like that, because that
> > does me absolutely
> > no harm. Running a day old weather report, when tornados
>
> > are immiment,
> > that could. License renewal time, anyone?
> >
>
>
> Pretty interesting comments folks.
>
> Let me introduce myself....I'm Marcus Bailey, night news
> anchor for WXNT (6p-12a M-F). As I read the post about last
> nights severe weather coverage, I find myself wondering what
> stations people were actually listening to. Is it possible
> that a weather forecast from a previous day was played in
> the afternoon? Maybe...it was another shift and I cannot
> confirm that. I will say that I was in studio from the
> start of the storms to the finish.....and was on before EAS
> was transmitting warnings in the area thanks to some NWS
> friends. Were we in the middle of sydicated shows? Yes.
> Were warnings broadcast in a timely fashion? Like I said
> before...I was on the air before EAS was sending out
> warnings. If no new warnings were issued.....previous
> warnings were announced and repeated every 10 minutes.
>
> On the comments of news.....recorded news is not our thing
> here. We have a warm body in the news room 24 hours a day.
> Newscasts are done LIVE throughout this time. I understand
> that many of you don't know this because you can't see it.
> Give it a listen sometime...as it seems many of you are
> still posting comments about the station's happenings from
> years ago.
>
> I welcome your comments/concerns.
>
> Thanks!
> Marcus Bailey
> News Anchor
> News Talk 1430 WXNT
>
 
> It happened again this week. On Tuesday Paul Poteet's
> forecast for the previous weekend aired in the afternoon.
> I'm sure it's not Paul's fault, but it makes him & them look
> foolish.


I was able to discuss this with a number of local broadcast professionals
this week and they all agreed that this station that calls itself a NEWS
station...WXNT...is a very poor example of that. Most could not believe
what I told them about the dated forecast two weeks ago that was aired.
And now another one. What a pity! Such a waste of a frequency!!!
 
> >
> I was able to discuss this with a number of local broadcast
> professionals
> this week and they all agreed that this station that calls
> itself a NEWS
> station...WXNT...is a very poor example of that. Most could
> not believe
> what I told them about the dated forecast two weeks ago that
> was aired.
> And now another one. What a pity! Such a waste of a
> frequency!!!
>
You sure seem to enjoy criticizing a station that I am betting you don't work for. Also a company I also bet you don't work for. If you think it is so bad, instead of complaining, it would stand to reason that you would offer constructive suggestions as to how to fix the problem. It is my guess that at least one person over at Entercom reads this board.
 
> > >
> > I was able to discuss this with a number of local
> broadcast
> > professionals
> > this week and they all agreed that this station that calls
>
> > itself a NEWS
> > station...WXNT...is a very poor example of that. Most
> could
> > not believe
> > what I told them about the dated forecast two weeks ago
> that
> > was aired.
> > And now another one. What a pity! Such a waste of a
> > frequency!!!
> >
> You sure seem to enjoy criticizing a station that I am
> betting you don't work for. Also a company I also bet you
> don't work for. If you think it is so bad, instead of
> complaining, it would stand to reason that you would offer
> constructive suggestions as to how to fix the problem. It
> is my guess that at least one person over at Entercom reads
> this board.
>


Well, if you would read my replies you would realize I have offered positive
suggestions. I thought the station should have their live newscaster give
the weather instead of the recorded Paul Poteet forecast that seems to be off
by a few days.
As for the corporate owner, I have no knowledge of Entercom. Could care less.
The only object I have to judge is what comes out of am1430. Could care less
if it is owned by a conglomerate or my next door neighbor. The product
must stand by itself.
I have been in the broadcast biz one way or other since 1964. I have
heard alot and I have done alot. I have originated programming and I have
produced and announced many. I have worked in professional television and
have been involved in many facets of radio and tv on and off camera and
on and off microphone.
I do not pretend to be any sort of expert. I only know what I hear. And
when I hear several times a weather report being given for the day before,
then I must mention that. Why? Maybe, as you suggest, someone from the
station just might get the gist.
Are other stations in Indy being lax in their presentations? Maybe. It is
just that am1430 is one station I check in on now and then because there are
now fewer stations in Indy giving any live news or weather. Years ago most
of the am and fm stations did, but the FCC did away with all that. Pity.

Can I give any positive criticism of stations in town? Yes. I think
WICR is doing a good job of providing alternative programming. I think
the new oldies station 95.9 is trying to touch upon more songs than other
oldies stations have in this city. And I hope they continue to dig and find
songs that were popular in Indy but that did not necessarily hit the
Billboard top 20. I must admit though, I was embarrased the other day to
hear their afternoon jock claim he did not know where the state of Oregon
is. Very poor.
I do find myself listening to Gary Burbank on Cincy's WLW most afternoons if
I am in the car. Professional, entertaining, not hackneyed. And I enjoy
listening occassionally to 107.1 the Latino station, just to hear something
different, different beat, different feel. Classic rock and the same old
same old gets really really old after awhile.
My dream? A radio station in town that is willing to stand out and do
something different and exciting. What is that? I have no idea.
 
> On the comments of news.....recorded news is not our thing> here. We have a warm body in the news room 24 hours a day.> Newscasts are done LIVE throughout this time. I understand> that many of you don't know this because you can't see it.> Give it a listen sometime...as it seems many of you are> still posting comments about the station's happenings from> years ago.>> I welcome your comments/concerns.>> Thanks!> Marcus Bailey> News Anchor> News Talk 1430 WXNTMarcus I dont mean to pick on you...and this is my first post on this board..but this type of problem is still happening,. In fact, i'm assuming you were there when it did. It happened (pretty sure of this date..not positive of exact date) Thursday May 4 during the 530 newscast. They replayed the 130 newscast instead. It even said "hour 2 of Neil Bortz coming up" and by the news i could tell it was old. I'm not sure if the traffic report was recorded. You came on with a current newscast at 600. Why is this still happening? It wont make me stop listening to programs i want to listen to, but it is annoying.By the way i called the station twice and let it ring several times...no answer.
 
Radio stations like to use tv weather people to give the station's weather more credibilty. In this case it hurts the credibility of the radio station and the tv station.
 
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