Local Hurricane Dennis Coverage

[CentralFLEagle]

Here in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, at this point the only station providing continuious coverage today is the NBC affiliate, WFLA-TV 8. They seemed to have dumped most, if not all, of their Saturday morning schedule in favour of Dennis. The other network affiliates are providing occasional updates which vary in length and when they are offered, most notably WFTS-TV 28 (the ABC affiliate), which is running brief hourly updates. I was slightly surprised to see WTTA-TV 38, Sinclair's WB affiliate, break into it's cartoon programming to offer an update on Dennis. A bit surprising when one considers that (I believe) their weather segments are part of the national "NewsCentral" package that originates from the corporate HQ.

While the brunt of Dennis' power is not expected to strike West Central Florida, the main concern is for tropical storm winds along the coast and some flooding along with some higher-than-normal waves. Where I live in inland Polk County, many of the rivers are at or slightly above flood stage due to the heavier-than-normal rains during June. This, of course, will aggrivaite a situation where some homes near at least a couple of lakes are already flooded.<P ID="signature">______________
Robert Charles Pickering
Lakeland, Florida</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by CentralFLEagle on 07/09/05 06:30 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[miamimadman]

I hope it doesn't effect the general 'Publix'?

We depend on Food. Stay safe, now only if my Cable would work again!

 

[rugrats1]

One thing I'm wondering about is how the Panhandle and the Mobile / Biloxi stations handling this, as Dennis is heading their way, pratically in the same territory where Ivan struck 10 months ago. It'll be making its final landfall in that region sometime tomorrow (Sunday 7/10).<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by rugrats1 on 07/09/05 09:03 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[bpatrick]

> Here in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, at this point the
> only station providing continuious coverage today is the NBC
> affiliate, WFLA-TV 8. They seemed to have dumped most, if
> not all, of their Saturday morning schedule in favour of
> Dennis. The other network affiliates are providing
> occasional updates which vary in length and when they are
> offered, most notably WFTS-TV 28 (the ABC affiliate), which
> is running brief hourly updates. I was slightly surprised
> to see WTTA-TV 38, Sinclair's WB affiliate, break into it's
> cartoon programming to offer an update on Dennis. A bit
> surprising when one considers that (I believe) their weather
> segments are part of the national "NewsCentral" package that
> originates from the corporate HQ.
>
> While the brunt of Dennis' power is not expected to strike
> West Central Florida, the main concern is for tropical storm
> winds along the coast and some flooding along with some
> higher-than-normal waves. Where I live in inland Polk
> County, many of the rivers are at or slightly above flood
> stage due to the heavier-than-normal rains during June.
> This, of course, will aggrivaite a situation where some
> homes near at least a couple of lakes are already flooded.
>
How times have changed. When I lived in Tampa, in the '70s,
WTVT would have been all over a story like this.

Considering that I have a cousin who lives in the Bay Area
with her husband and kids, I hope you all get through this
without serious problems.

 

[rugrats1]

> Considering that I have a cousin who lives in the Bay Area
> with her husband and kids, I hope you all get through this
> without serious problems.
>
In Tampa bay, looks like we will -- though I wish I would've said the same about the upper Gulf Coast, where some area will be walled by Dennis tomorrow (7/10).

 

[southernboy_404]

> One thing I'm wondering about is how the Panhandle and the
> Mobile / Biloxi stations handling this, as Dennis is heading
> their way, pratically in the same territory where Ivan
> struck 10 months ago. It'll be making its final landfall in
> that region sometime tomorrow (Sunday 7/10).
>
WMBB-TV in Panama City, FL is doing continuous coverage of the hurricane. They also brought in reporters & a meteorologist from several of their Media General sister stations. In addition to that, they are simulcasting their coverage on 4 local radio stations. Plus, they have a live stream of their hurricane coverage on their website www.wmbb.com

 

[Whammy1978]

> One thing I'm wondering about is how the Panhandle and the
> Mobile / Biloxi stations handling this, as Dennis is heading
> their way, pratically in the same territory where Ivan
> struck 10 months ago. It'll be making its final landfall in
> that region sometime tomorrow (Sunday 7/10).
>



Last year when ABC News Now was still available, they aired live coverage from WEAR TV in Pensacola until they were knocked off the air at around midnight of the night Ivan rolled through. At which point, they flipped back and forth between feeds from Panama City and New Orleans.

If I were to take a stab in the dark, I would think that CBS 5, ABC 3, NBC 15, and Fox 10 would have wall to wall coverage once some thunderstorm and tornado warnings would be issued before the storm actually makes landfall. It also wouldn't surprise me if NBC 15 simulcasts their feed on sister station UPN 44. If anyone has any further information about what is actually going on as far as their coverage goes, I would love to know myself.

Having lived through Hurricane Hugo back in 1989 and having friends down in Pensacola, I hope that things for the entire Gulf Coast will turn out better than expected, and wish everyone down there the best.<P ID="signature">______________

Moderator of Charlotte Board</P>

 

[OldAkronite]

Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> WMBB-TV in Panama City, FL is doing continuous coverage of
> the hurricane. They also brought in reporters & a
> meteorologist from several of their Media General sister
> stations. In addition to that, they are simulcasting their
> coverage on 4 local radio stations. Plus, they have a live
> stream of their hurricane coverage on their website
> www.wmbb.com

Media General sister station WKRG/5 (CBS) Mobile is also offering a live stream of their hurricane coverage. WPMI/15 (NBC) in that market says on their website that they'll have live coverage at the start of their 10 PM (CT) newscast.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>

 

[studiotwenty]

>
> How times have changed. When I lived in Tampa, in the '70s,
>
> WTVT would have been all over a story like this.
>
> Considering that I have a cousin who lives in the Bay Area
> with her husband and kids, I hope you all get through this
> without serious problems.
>

Well, if the storm had a snowballs chance in hell of actually hitting Tampa, all four stations "would have been all over this", as they were when two other Canes rolled through here last summer.

"Dennis" came within about 200 miles and left us with some heavy rain, some high winds and some localized flooding.....in other words today wasn't much different from your average Florida summer day......

I, for one, appreciate the understated, calm presentations of all the stations.

There was no need for drama today.

 

[ngriffin]

> One thing I'm wondering about is how the Panhandle and the
> Mobile / Biloxi stations handling this, as Dennis is heading
> their way, pratically in the same territory where Ivan
> struck 10 months ago. It'll be making its final landfall in
> that region sometime tomorrow (Sunday 7/10).

Panama City's WJHG and WMBB are both wall-to-wall coverage, as is WTVY in Dothan. The Styles stations are simulcasting WMBB and the Clear Channel stations are using WJHG along with their own coverage. The Tallahassee stations are only doing occassional cut-ins.

I caught a bit of WEAR last night and they were focusing on Pensacola and Ft. Walton closings and announcmeents. I suspect the Mobile-based stations are focusing on the Alabama side of the market.

 

[dampier]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> Media General sister station WKRG/5 (CBS) Mobile is also
> offering a live stream of their hurricane coverage. WPMI/15
> (NBC) in that market says on their website that they'll have
> live coverage at the start of their 10 PM (CT) newscast.

WKRG coverage looks small market to me. They love their weather radar because they've been showing that to the expense of everything else. WPMI looks almost like its running what our local NBC channel runs on a sub-channel. The audio is missing - replaced with light jazz music. I dropped out.

I was amused with the ads running showing snowy TV screens along with a message to those who had lost cable service. Call the toll free number and DISH Network will "restore" your service... with a dish. Sleazy.

On the radio side, the hegemony of Clear Channel's "Gulf Coast Storm Alert Network" is generally the best choice, although they are doing a lot of self-serving pats on the back along the way.

 

[KeithE]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> WKRG coverage looks small market to me. They love their
> weather radar because they've been showing that to the
> expense of everything else. WPMI looks almost like its
> running what our local NBC channel runs on a sub-channel.
> The audio is missing - replaced with light jazz music. I
> dropped out.

It's market #63, not #10. I didn't think either WKRG or WPMI's coverage was that bad, although WPMI's audio dropped out a lot - probably due to excessive traffic on their servers. At least their streams were available.

They had better coverage than the idiots on CNN and FNC. Memo to Anderson & Geraldo: GET OUT OF THERE WHEN IT COMES ASHORE YOU MORONS!!!!!! Most people aren't fool enough to be outside in the middle of a hurricane. Your viewers are very well aware of how much the wind is blowing and how much it's raining without you and your cameramen risking your necks to show us.

> I was amused with the ads running showing snowy TV screens
> along with a message to those who had lost cable service.
> Call the toll free number and DISH Network will "restore"
> your service... with a dish. Sleazy.

You blame WKRG for that? Put the blame where it belongs: Dish Network. I'm sure cable service or the lack thereof is that area's last priority right now.

 

[rugrats1]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> They had better coverage than the idiots on CNN and FNC.
> Memo to Anderson & Geraldo: GET OUT OF THERE WHEN IT COMES
> ASHORE YOU MORONS!!!!!!

It seems to me that Geraldo is attracted to the world's dangerous spots (especially Iraq).

 

[Joe_Capitano]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> Memo to Anderson & Geraldo: GET OUT OF THERE WHEN IT COMES
> ASHORE YOU MORONS!!!!!!

Amen. The weather radar itself makes for more compelling TV, and you don't have waterlogged microphones - right, Anderson? I guess they forgot the day those reporters for NBC (one was Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel, if I recall) got blown down the sidewalk by a big gust.

You'd think with all those tower and traffic cameras about we'd get enough good pictures to tell the tale without risking someone's life, living, or coiffure.

What surprises me is that we've had somewhat stable broadband webcasts today. Over 200K on all three feeds I've seen today, and except for CBS Mobile little or no breakup.


> > I was amused with the ads running showing snowy TV screens
> > along with a message to those who had lost cable service.

How about the ads for this one Ace Hardware store in the Mobile market. Would you belive that right smack in the middle of this event they're advertising a "Hurricane Preparedness Bucket" (it's full of supplies and stuff)? Today?

Uh, yeah. Like, um, people are going to race to your store today? Seems like someone should pull that spot for a few days, don't you think?

 

[rugrats1]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> What surprises me is that we've had somewhat stable
> broadband webcasts today. Over 200K on all three feeds I've
> seen today, and except for CBS Mobile little or no breakup.

Maybe they improved on their connections since Ivan.

 

[KeithE]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> It seems to me that Geraldo is attracted to the world's
> dangerous spots (especially Iraq).

You mean like Aruba? :-D

 

[JeeperOne]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

Hi everyone:

> > Memo to Anderson & Geraldo: GET OUT OF THERE WHEN IT
> COMES
> > ASHORE YOU MORONS!!!!!!
>
> Amen. The weather radar itself makes for more compelling TV,
> and you don't have waterlogged microphones - right,
> Anderson? I guess they forgot the day those reporters for
> NBC (one was Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel, if I
> recall) got blown down the sidewalk by a big gust.

To say NOTHING of the FACT that 'lil local' stations like WKRG (which is STILL going even at this hour!) do a MUCH better job and have practically THE SAME resources and capabilities the networks do.

The only difference is they don't broadcast to a nationwide audience.

I think ALL the networks (INCLUDING CNN) seem to have a problem admitting that all they need to provide Hurricane coverage is AN ANCHOR IN A NEW YORK STUDIO. Beyond that, I say LET THE LOCALS DO THE DIRTY WORK & JUST BRING US THE PICTURES!!!

> You'd think with all those tower and traffic cameras about
> we'd get enough good pictures to tell the tale without
> risking someone's life, living, or coiffure.

Not to mention LIVE CREWS from the local stations. Hell, they even bring out the sports geeks for Hurricane coverage. WHY do Andersen & Geraldo feel as though THEY need to be there too? I don't get it.

> What surprises me is that we've had somewhat stable
> broadband webcasts today. Over 200K on all three feeds I've
> seen today, and except for CBS Mobile little or no breakup.

CBS Mobile? What the hell is that?

As for the stability of the streams, I was getting MAJOR dropout problems on WKRG & WMBB (Before WMBB dropped out for good) while WPMI had the usual dropouts associated with being a Clear Channel station (I'll let you try to figure that out). WPMI later ended their constant coverage after their evening newscast.

When WMBB dropped for good, WKRG has been virtually flawless.

As a side note, NBC O&O WVTM provided coverage, but by the time the storm reached Birmingham, it lost pretty much all its punch. So about they had was an extended 10:00 PM newscast from what I saw.

> > > I was amused with the ads running showing snowy TV
> screens
> > > along with a message to those who had lost cable
> service.
>
> How about the ads for this one Ace Hardware store in the
> Mobile market. Would you belive that right smack in the
> middle of this event they're advertising a "Hurricane
> Preparedness Bucket" (it's full of supplies and stuff)?
> Today?
>
> Uh, yeah. Like, um, people are going to race to your store
> today? Seems like someone should pull that spot for a few
> days, don't you think?

Not if they PAID for them. Though I do agree the DISH Network ad makes almost NO sense at all IMO.

Cheers for now

Pat Cook
Denver, Colorado<P ID="signature">______________

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? </P>

 

[rugrats1]

Re: Live Video Streaming From Hurricane Dennis Strike Area

> > ...except for CBS Mobile little or no
> breakup.
>
> CBS Mobile? What the hell is that?
>
CBS's Mobile / Pensacola affiliate, WKRG ch.5, owned by Media General.