So what do people think about KTAR's storm coverage today? It's 8:50 P.M., and they have gone all news indefinitely with Mac and Gaydos. The resources of KTAR may not be as good as say a KNX 1070 in L.A., but it's good to see some valley station going all news for this major local news story. They got reporters all over the place from Scottsdale (for the tornado warning and the closure of LOOP 101), Flagstaff (for the blizzard) and they even put Gaydos on the roof of the KTAR studios. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll blow back to the AM dial! ;D
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
KTAR Winter Storm Coverage
- Thread starter asugeorge1
- Start date
asugeorge1 said:
Overblown to the point of ridiculousness. Nobody should take a tornado warning lightly, but this is absolutely crazy. There is far more serious weather up north. Anybody who's ever lived in the midwest knows better than what Mac & Cheese are bellowing.
Besides, that's not a potential tornado, that's J.D. Windbag reacting to his employer's lawyer telling him to STFU. ;D
Is your town still there where you are?
Very nice reporting by KTAR. Superb work.
KT'R-FM still in extended storm coverage at 9:39 PM.
And wow, Deputy Dan is still directing traffic.
Meanwhile, what's going on over at 55/FYI?
Tape-delayed Michael Savage. Apparently they didn't hold
J.D. Windbag over...but then we had enough wind from the
storm. ;D
BTW, does anyone know if the KFYI newsroom is still staffed
at this late hour?
And wow, Deputy Dan is still directing traffic.
Meanwhile, what's going on over at 55/FYI?
Tape-delayed Michael Savage. Apparently they didn't hold
J.D. Windbag over...but then we had enough wind from the
storm. ;D
BTW, does anyone know if the KFYI newsroom is still staffed
at this late hour?
Whoa - I wasn't aware of KTAR doing this, but... here's what my facebook status update was yesterday evening (it should give you some level of an idea of how I feel about the entire situation):
"I swear Phoenix Az is the wimpiest state! All it does is rain a little bit and there are massive power outages!!!! I should move back to the east coast with the tornadoes and hurricane action. I'm sure all the weather people and newscasters are all in hospitals, having heart attacks because of all this rain! Anyway, I'm going to take my dog for a walk and then jump in the jacuzzi."
And my status update from Tuesday:
Look at all this rain in AZ. I'm sure people are freaking out and regularly scheduled programming is being interrupted to report breaking news about this water falling from the sky situation. People are outside photographing this rain phenomenon, updating their guinness book of world records, and ordering Marshal Law. The last time people here saw rain was on their spelling test in 1st grade.
Geez - now that I think of it, I always find myself thinking and being ahead of the game! All I do is cut and paste half the time because half the stuff I say in response to new topics are actually things I've talked about a while ago!!!
"I swear Phoenix Az is the wimpiest state! All it does is rain a little bit and there are massive power outages!!!! I should move back to the east coast with the tornadoes and hurricane action. I'm sure all the weather people and newscasters are all in hospitals, having heart attacks because of all this rain! Anyway, I'm going to take my dog for a walk and then jump in the jacuzzi."
And my status update from Tuesday:
Look at all this rain in AZ. I'm sure people are freaking out and regularly scheduled programming is being interrupted to report breaking news about this water falling from the sky situation. People are outside photographing this rain phenomenon, updating their guinness book of world records, and ordering Marshal Law. The last time people here saw rain was on their spelling test in 1st grade.
Geez - now that I think of it, I always find myself thinking and being ahead of the game! All I do is cut and paste half the time because half the stuff I say in response to new topics are actually things I've talked about a while ago!!!
KTAR did a great job, and I expected ahead of time that they'd be the only station with a commitment to public service.
KFYI Dropped the ball, running re-runs of Michael Savage into the evening during the tornado warnings.
What happened to 93.3 !!!!!
KFYI Dropped the ball, running re-runs of Michael Savage into the evening during the tornado warnings.
What happened to 93.3 !!!!!
I'm worried about the folks up north, Sedona, Prescott, Flag. Heavy snows, flooding, roofs collapsing -- could Downtown Flagstaff flood? The Village of Oak Creek is flooded!
Since there are no Phoenix 50kW-ers that make it up there at night, and I think the AM 600 has or had an STA w/ an FM translator, and long wire antenna, how can radio serve those areas?
780 KAZM doesn't have widespread night coverage if there was an emergency.
Neither does 1490 or 1130 in Prescott.
How do folks up there get their news on TV when there isn't even a local TV station in Flagstaff?
Could KTAR apply for an FM Translator in Flagstaff similar to KKOB Albuquerque's 770 in Santa Fe? There are the new rules on FM translators; it seems this could really help the public interest if this proposal is compliant.
Since there are no Phoenix 50kW-ers that make it up there at night, and I think the AM 600 has or had an STA w/ an FM translator, and long wire antenna, how can radio serve those areas?
780 KAZM doesn't have widespread night coverage if there was an emergency.
Neither does 1490 or 1130 in Prescott.
How do folks up there get their news on TV when there isn't even a local TV station in Flagstaff?
Could KTAR apply for an FM Translator in Flagstaff similar to KKOB Albuquerque's 770 in Santa Fe? There are the new rules on FM translators; it seems this could really help the public interest if this proposal is compliant.
What we were dealing with last night in valley radio was a case of two extreme ends of the spectrum.
On one side was KFYI: Every half hour they would have their news/weather updates informing everyone that there is a tornado watch for the area until 10pm (and included the other advisory information), then it was back to tape delayed Michael Savage. I don't recall hearing the EAS break-in for a tornado warning on KFYI at all, though it may have happened.
On the other hand, there was KTAR: WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY over the top! Yesterday's storm was rather intense, perhaps the most powerful winter storm to hit the area since a series of storms impacted the southwest in 1993. Nevertheless, do we really need 9 hours (3pm-midnight) of "is it raining where you are?" radio? Tornado watches/warnings are fairly rare in Phoenix, but continuous coverage of rain and wind seems silly. Especially when you examine the damage this morning across the valley--relatively mild. Some trees were uprooted/blown down, 16,000-20,000 customers lost power, there's flooding in some locations, flight delays... sounds like a typical summer storm to me! On the other hand, northern Arizona is a disaster!
There's serving the community and then there's making a winter storm sound like it's armageddon--which TV and Radio stations in Phoenix (the sensationalist capitol of the world) have apparently mastered!
On one side was KFYI: Every half hour they would have their news/weather updates informing everyone that there is a tornado watch for the area until 10pm (and included the other advisory information), then it was back to tape delayed Michael Savage. I don't recall hearing the EAS break-in for a tornado warning on KFYI at all, though it may have happened.
On the other hand, there was KTAR: WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY over the top! Yesterday's storm was rather intense, perhaps the most powerful winter storm to hit the area since a series of storms impacted the southwest in 1993. Nevertheless, do we really need 9 hours (3pm-midnight) of "is it raining where you are?" radio? Tornado watches/warnings are fairly rare in Phoenix, but continuous coverage of rain and wind seems silly. Especially when you examine the damage this morning across the valley--relatively mild. Some trees were uprooted/blown down, 16,000-20,000 customers lost power, there's flooding in some locations, flight delays... sounds like a typical summer storm to me! On the other hand, northern Arizona is a disaster!
There's serving the community and then there's making a winter storm sound like it's armageddon--which TV and Radio stations in Phoenix (the sensationalist capitol of the world) have apparently mastered!
KTAR's coverage was a bit over the top, but I appreciated being able to listen to news, traffic and weather updates as I drove home from school at 9:30 p.m. last night (no, not the Buckeye Media Hut, Sorry, Dr). For those who were away from family or on the road, I think the constant coverage was a good thing. For those waiting for Crummey's Eeeevvvvil show, it was a bit much and disappointing not to hear "The Evil One" at 7pm.
On a side note, I hear that Mac y Gaydos were wearing their snuggies during the broadcast and had a sleep over at the KTAR broadcast studios due to flooding at the Gaydos Fortress of Solitude. Jayme West read them a bed time story and made hot chocolate for them. Gaydos was upset that there weren't any marshmallows for his hot chocolate.
On a side note, I hear that Mac y Gaydos were wearing their snuggies during the broadcast and had a sleep over at the KTAR broadcast studios due to flooding at the Gaydos Fortress of Solitude. Jayme West read them a bed time story and made hot chocolate for them. Gaydos was upset that there weren't any marshmallows for his hot chocolate.
KFNNradioFan said:
While it would potentially help the public interest...it wouldn't help KTAR's bottom line (which, unfortunately, supercedes all else). Flagstaff is not part of the Phoenix market in terms of Arbitron. KTAR would not get any ratings credit (in the Phoenix data) for listeners to that translator. They would presumably get some ratings credit in the Flagstaff book, but I don't think KTAR has any interest in generating sales specifically in that market.
Not saying that KTAR wouldn't/shouldn't do it...it's just something to keep in mind.
I don't know what was worse, Mac and Cheese breathlessly listening to callers "I was out walking, and the wind turned my umbrella inside out!!!", or them hyperventilating about callers reporting a tree that fell down!
It was silly, I appreciate the coverage, but they way they did it, you would think its the end of the world.
It was silly, I appreciate the coverage, but they way they did it, you would think its the end of the world.
Much hypocrisy!
Was KTAR and certain TV coverage overblown? When you're playing the only game in town, WHO CARES? I remember (old codger voice) when everyone went to their RADIOS when the sky was falling or the earth was moving. It's nice, for the 2% of us who are concerned, to have a source of information when the power goes out. Oh I'm sorry, I'll just hop into my car, and turn on the internet, and let Twitter and Facebook journalists help me out while the rest of my family huddles inside the closet.
If you wanted up to the minute information last night, here was ONE - out of 50 signals - ONE with the ability to take a real news team, chase down the stories (oh wait, that's so 80's), and try to inform friends and neighborhoods about staying out of harm's way. Was it repetitious? YES - THAT'S HOW RADIO WORKS! All I kept thinking last night was how much intense work and fun we would be having in a similar situation in Denver when KIMN, KHOW, and KOA, among others, would be scrambling to out-do each other with information.
KDM7000 - I felt exactly the way you felt when I first arrived here 20 years ago. My attitude adjusted after a little flood of our own. For almost anyone new to Arizona, it appears that we get too crazy about weather. The problem is that, unlike most communities back East, there's nowhere to go for most folks when "the crick's risin'", or wildfire threatens, or snow wipes out most of the main transit routes. Is it too much to have LIVE LOCAL COVERAGE? Apparently, yes. In a PPM world, I guess it's crazy to believe that if you give someone all the information they need, they will give you a pre-set on their now infinite dial. As for me, I am now even more faithful to KTAR, and channels 12, 3, and 5, (didn't watch 10 or 15) who at least tried to deliver information in between "who's having a boob job?" and "that outfit's fierce girl".
And as far as listening for the Emergency Alert System Extremely Annoying Sounds, as one who's been there watching the radar for my listeners, I can deliver a weather warning ten minutes before anybody activates the system. That's not bragging, and I'm not a meteorologist. Just ask Jimmy Q or Jared or Dave M. If a real live body with a real live camera or microphone can watch and report color radar, it's easy.
I'm sorry to ramble, but last night proved something that a few of the real pros on this board have known since the first vulture capitalists stepped in well before 1996: when the tornado is coming down Central (or the 101 near a certain auto auction), will anybody broadcast the information? I will now crawl back in my cave. Wait the sun just came out. Much love and respect for all.
Stu Evans
Was KTAR and certain TV coverage overblown? When you're playing the only game in town, WHO CARES? I remember (old codger voice) when everyone went to their RADIOS when the sky was falling or the earth was moving. It's nice, for the 2% of us who are concerned, to have a source of information when the power goes out. Oh I'm sorry, I'll just hop into my car, and turn on the internet, and let Twitter and Facebook journalists help me out while the rest of my family huddles inside the closet.
If you wanted up to the minute information last night, here was ONE - out of 50 signals - ONE with the ability to take a real news team, chase down the stories (oh wait, that's so 80's), and try to inform friends and neighborhoods about staying out of harm's way. Was it repetitious? YES - THAT'S HOW RADIO WORKS! All I kept thinking last night was how much intense work and fun we would be having in a similar situation in Denver when KIMN, KHOW, and KOA, among others, would be scrambling to out-do each other with information.
KDM7000 - I felt exactly the way you felt when I first arrived here 20 years ago. My attitude adjusted after a little flood of our own. For almost anyone new to Arizona, it appears that we get too crazy about weather. The problem is that, unlike most communities back East, there's nowhere to go for most folks when "the crick's risin'", or wildfire threatens, or snow wipes out most of the main transit routes. Is it too much to have LIVE LOCAL COVERAGE? Apparently, yes. In a PPM world, I guess it's crazy to believe that if you give someone all the information they need, they will give you a pre-set on their now infinite dial. As for me, I am now even more faithful to KTAR, and channels 12, 3, and 5, (didn't watch 10 or 15) who at least tried to deliver information in between "who's having a boob job?" and "that outfit's fierce girl".
And as far as listening for the Emergency Alert System Extremely Annoying Sounds, as one who's been there watching the radar for my listeners, I can deliver a weather warning ten minutes before anybody activates the system. That's not bragging, and I'm not a meteorologist. Just ask Jimmy Q or Jared or Dave M. If a real live body with a real live camera or microphone can watch and report color radar, it's easy.
I'm sorry to ramble, but last night proved something that a few of the real pros on this board have known since the first vulture capitalists stepped in well before 1996: when the tornado is coming down Central (or the 101 near a certain auto auction), will anybody broadcast the information? I will now crawl back in my cave. Wait the sun just came out. Much love and respect for all.
Stu Evans
M
MASTER_CONTROL
Guest
they couldn't stop-down for two minutes at the top for world news? :-\
OMYGAWD...a tree fell over after 3 inches of rain and stoopid motorists are crossing flooded streets in Scottsdale!!
KT'R is excellent with breaking news and there's no way KFWhyEye can ever touch 'em. But here's the spin from the Buckeye Boyz: count the number of bad weather days in the Valley and you'll probably not exceed the number of fingers on one hand. That leaves 360 days for regular programming and that's why KT'R won't get much of a bump out of their coverage. Sure, people will tune 92~Three when there's a summer or winter monsoon, but after the storms pass they go back to their regular listening habits.
And yes....it was raining where Nurse Jeff and I were yesterday!
KT'R is excellent with breaking news and there's no way KFWhyEye can ever touch 'em. But here's the spin from the Buckeye Boyz: count the number of bad weather days in the Valley and you'll probably not exceed the number of fingers on one hand. That leaves 360 days for regular programming and that's why KT'R won't get much of a bump out of their coverage. Sure, people will tune 92~Three when there's a summer or winter monsoon, but after the storms pass they go back to their regular listening habits.
And yes....it was raining where Nurse Jeff and I were yesterday!
Stu,
When I was going to skool and working nights, I got a panicked phone call from the editor of the skool's newspaper (I was the managing editor) saying that body parts had been found in the restroom and she needed me in the newsroom to help cover the story. I had barely slept a few hours, but dutifully came in to help cover the story.
We stood outside of the restroom where the body parts had been found, expecting the worst, when it was announced that the body parts were from a pig. Someone had simply discarded the body parts in the trash inside of the restroom. Not sure if it was a joke, but we were ready to cover it.
When major breaking news hits (storms, criminal acts, etc.) real journalists will normally drop everything and devote all of their resources to covering the story. Right, wrong or indifferent, that is what journalists are trained and paid to do. KTAR and other media outlets simply did what journalists do best--cover major breaking news with wall-to-wall coverage. I'm sure it was exciting for them to work the storm last night. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
When I was going to skool and working nights, I got a panicked phone call from the editor of the skool's newspaper (I was the managing editor) saying that body parts had been found in the restroom and she needed me in the newsroom to help cover the story. I had barely slept a few hours, but dutifully came in to help cover the story.
We stood outside of the restroom where the body parts had been found, expecting the worst, when it was announced that the body parts were from a pig. Someone had simply discarded the body parts in the trash inside of the restroom. Not sure if it was a joke, but we were ready to cover it.
When major breaking news hits (storms, criminal acts, etc.) real journalists will normally drop everything and devote all of their resources to covering the story. Right, wrong or indifferent, that is what journalists are trained and paid to do. KTAR and other media outlets simply did what journalists do best--cover major breaking news with wall-to-wall coverage. I'm sure it was exciting for them to work the storm last night. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
Great story KOHS, and I forgot to mention something very pertinent. For whatever reasons, most of our homes are made out of sticks and chicken wire, with absorbent cardboard for inside walls. 60 or 70 MPH winds are not fun.
As a kid in St. Louis, it was always a little thrilling (well, scary as hell) sitting in the basement of our BRICK house, listening to KXOK with my parents while the sirens moaned. Johnny Rabbitt had The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Bruno J. Grunion, and the exact streets where the tornado was moving.
As a kid in St. Louis, it was always a little thrilling (well, scary as hell) sitting in the basement of our BRICK house, listening to KXOK with my parents while the sirens moaned. Johnny Rabbitt had The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Bruno J. Grunion, and the exact streets where the tornado was moving.
The whole thing was too flippin' dumb for words.
Which raises a question (for me anyway)....
Who, at the TV station sync's a video segment with audio? Is it the same person or are their two or more people putting it together?
The reason I ask is because one of the funniest (and less professional) things that appeared multiple times last night during storm coverage was the "serious news voice" presenting the story while the video shot focused on a little bitty stream of water (as in puddle) slowly draining itself across the street.
It almost seems like sarcasm except that I know it wasn't intended that way.
Who, at the TV station sync's a video segment with audio? Is it the same person or are their two or more people putting it together?
The reason I ask is because one of the funniest (and less professional) things that appeared multiple times last night during storm coverage was the "serious news voice" presenting the story while the video shot focused on a little bitty stream of water (as in puddle) slowly draining itself across the street.
It almost seems like sarcasm except that I know it wasn't intended that way.
- Status