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Is WTHN's news team THAT BAD ??

R

RadioMan203

While sitting in my den working I had Channel 59 on, which was airing WTNH's News at 10. I don't know if I should laugh or pity them for their sad news production and lack of skills of their staff.

They did a news story about New Haven's Whalley Avenue and except of one time, pronounced it as "willy" avenue. You would think that people would be able to at least pronounce the name of streets in the station's city of license. Is that so difficult? I know 'TNH is low rent when compared to the other stations in the state, but come on now! I've seen high school kids produce television production of better content and quality.

I truly wish there was another station that served Fairfield County that actually had a staff that wasn't so low quality. Cablevision's News 12 is so vastly superior when compared to channel 8 - I wish I could get it on my DirecTV.
 
I think that's a very harsh criticism. If it's read fairly quickly, Whalley will sound like "willy." 'TNH isn't that bad in comparison to the Hartford stations. Sure, they may not we a WABC, WNBC or WCBS, but when compared to what I see on 3 or 30 I don't think they're THAT inferior.

Believe me, I'm not a fan, but I think your criticism is a bit much. I get the feeling there's other reasons you don't like Ch. 8.
 
kms575 said:
Believe me, I'm not a fan, but I think your criticism is a bit much. I get the feeling there's other reasons you don't like Ch. 8.
Click to expand...

Honestly, it's their lack of professionalism that is the reason for my dislike of their newscasts. I'd rather watch Fox 61 or NBC 30 even though I don't get as much news that pertains to Fairfield County when it comes to just production values.

If you watch 8 for any sort of long term (try it for a week) you'll notice all the things that make the newscasts low-rent. Watch the start of Good Morning Connecticut - what is the deal with the anchors each gazing at the other while reading the opening teases? (I'm expecting for them to longingly look at each other and exclaim "oh John, oh Marsha" like that old love scene!) Are these two in love with each other and can't hide it or is it just something still the news director has them doing? I have never seen another newscast, be it in CT or a major market like New York do anything like this.

Add to this at least a couple of mispronunciations a week along with a general lack of preparedness with some of the stories and news packages. I know a few people who have worked at 8 and they left because the low budget operation was quite evident behind the scenes. Then to add insult to injury, I've seen their master control (now located somewhere up in Mass. along with several other Lin-owned stations as part of a cost control measure) cut off programs to insert commercials - sloppy is the first word that comes to mind.

The reason I tire-kick is that I happen to have Cablevision in my office and when I watch News12 it's such a shock - they are so professional, especially compared to 8. Lin could take a serious lesson from them.

If Bridgeport's channel 43 was interested in becoming a serious contender in the Fairfield County market they could conceivably reach a marketing agreement with Cablevision to air News 12 for an evening newscast - now that would put a serious dent into 8's market share!
 
Anchors looking as one another, as silly as it might look, is not unique to Channel 8 though. I've even seen in on the BBC! Though, it was much less obvious and more professional.

Watch Channel 3, you'll see it there too.
 
I hadn't noticed the "John and Marsha" head bobbing act on 3, but I rarely watch them as I favor 30 or 61.

As mentioned in an early thread, in spite of the new graphics package and the "Weather Center" addition to the news set it's like putting lipstick on a pig (to quote another member's previous post). Of course, I've seen screw-ups on 8 way before Lin took ownership of the station.

I believe Triangle Communications owned 8 at the time of this totally inexcusable act. The state was on the receiving end of a hurricane, I believe in the late 70's (Hurricane Belle, perhaps?) and they were doing the 11 p.m. newscast with coverage of the hurricane and weather. Sure as spit they switched over to the ABC Network late movie right at 11:30. Hello? How stupid can you be? Can you talk about a bonehead move? I forgot who I watched until we finally lost power close to midnight.

I don't know how cheap Triangle was but it doesn't look like things at 8 are much better these days.
 
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