Local News??

[RobertGoren]

What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM and on AM radio. Should particular FM stations have minimal local news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local news than what they already have? Should local news be presented in a certain way?

Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio should be. Let's hear it.

 

[jff110]

I think an AM station dedicated in part to local news and talk could have success. That was a completely unfilled niche until WBLF went in that direction. I don't think WBLF has the signal strength or community visibility to pull it off. I hope they can, though.

WRSC focused on local news and talk for years with tremendous success. When I was at WMAJ in the late '90s, we tried as best we could (given the $3.86 yearly budget and the cheap East German war surplus equipment that was provided to us by the Burbach regime), to be locally relevant. And we did see some ratings success, believe it or not, on WMAJ for a brief time.

WRTA in Altoona has been financially viable and solid in the ratings with a heavy lineup of local news and talk for many years. There's much more going on in State College than there is in Altoona...plus the residents of State College can actually read and write. So if it can work in Altoona, I know it can work in State College. In fact, it HAS worked in State College.

And that's the truth, Ruth.

> What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM and on
> AM radio. Should particular FM stations have minimal local
> news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local news than
> what they already have? Should local news be presented in a
> certain way?
>
> Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio should
> be. Let's hear it.
>

 

[RobertGoren]

Doesn't WRSC do local news after top of the hour ABC News and bottom of the hour Fox News? I shouldn't ask, I've heard it. Weather on the 9's I think? I've heard traffic reports too when they come up. But, I do remember back in the days of old (yes, I'm old...if you are in your 20's or 30's, you're a kid compared to me). The local news hasn't really changed much except in times of ownership wrangles when everyone is clueless until the dust settles.

I've given this new WBLF a listen. Jeff Byers MUST have a radio partner, PERIOD! When he was on with Phil Grocz (sp?) on Sportsline and Kevin Nelson in the morning, he did much better. With no partner, he starts a sentence and it never ends. All of the newspaper ads publicized a two hour talk show with Tor Michaels, Tor is never there. They are not getting calls so Jeff Byers just goes on and on...I heard Jeff and Tor one time. Tor ranted for about a half an hour straight and Jeff Byers just chuckled uncomfortably. There's no control, no instincts, just chaos.

When I think of a local news radio station, I think of a KYW. This on the 8's, that on the 7's, etc.

FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4 for that...



> I think an AM station dedicated in part to local news and
> talk could have success. That was a completely unfilled
> niche until WBLF went in that direction. I don't think WBLF
> has the signal strength or community visibility to pull it
> off. I hope they can, though.
>
> WRSC focused on local news and talk for years with
> tremendous success. When I was at WMAJ in the late '90s, we
> tried as best we could (given the $3.86 yearly budget and
> the cheap East German war surplus equipment that was
> provided to us by the Burbach regime), to be locally
> relevant. And we did see some ratings success, believe it
> or not, on WMAJ for a brief time.
>
> WRTA in Altoona has been financially viable and solid in the
> ratings with a heavy lineup of local news and talk for many
> years. There's much more going on in State College than
> there is in Altoona...plus the residents of State College
> can actually read and write. So if it can work in Altoona,
> I know it can work in State College. In fact, it HAS worked
> in State College.
>
> And that's the truth, Ruth.
>
> > What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM and
> on
> > AM radio. Should particular FM stations have minimal
> local
> > news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local news than
>
> > what they already have? Should local news be presented in
> a
> > certain way?
> >
> > Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio
> should
> > be. Let's hear it.
> >
>

 

[jff110]

At 33, I'm glad I'm still a kid in someone's mind.

I'm sure WRSC does little 2-minute news headline type of stuff throughout the day. So does WMAJ. But that seems like such a token effort. That's not to criticize the people working in the newsroom. It's not their fault. They have to play the cards they are dealt.

There's not enough going on here to support a KYW-type of format, obviously. But there is enough to support a good local talkshow and an extended morning (and perhaps afternoon) news block. When Rod Burnham was GM at WMAJ, he even recorded station editorials. I guess that's considered old-school, but it got a reaction out of people and let them know they we cared about was going on outside our doors.

And you CAN sell this stuff, too. No one can convince me that you can't.

I don't envy Byers. I haven't heard what you are talking about, specifically...but flying solo on a talkshow with no guests and no callers is hell.

> Doesn't WRSC do local news after top of the hour ABC News
> and bottom of the hour Fox News? I shouldn't ask, I've
> heard it. Weather on the 9's I think? I've heard traffic
> reports too when they come up. But, I do remember back in
> the days of old (yes, I'm old...if you are in your 20's or
> 30's, you're a kid compared to me). The local news hasn't
> really changed much except in times of ownership wrangles
> when everyone is clueless until the dust settles.
>
> I've given this new WBLF a listen. Jeff Byers MUST have a
> radio partner, PERIOD! When he was on with Phil Grocz (sp?)
> on Sportsline and Kevin Nelson in the morning, he did much
> better. With no partner, he starts a sentence and it never
> ends. All of the newspaper ads publicized a two hour talk
> show with Tor Michaels, Tor is never there. They are not
> getting calls so Jeff Byers just goes on and on...I heard
> Jeff and Tor one time. Tor ranted for about a half an hour
> straight and Jeff Byers just chuckled uncomfortably.
> There's no control, no instincts, just chaos.
>
> When I think of a local news radio station, I think of a
> KYW. This on the 8's, that on the 7's, etc.
>
> FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for
> 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4
> for that...
>
>
>
> > I think an AM station dedicated in part to local news and
> > talk could have success. That was a completely unfilled
> > niche until WBLF went in that direction. I don't think
> WBLF
> > has the signal strength or community visibility to pull it
>
> > off. I hope they can, though.
> >
> > WRSC focused on local news and talk for years with
> > tremendous success. When I was at WMAJ in the late '90s,
> we
> > tried as best we could (given the $3.86 yearly budget and
> > the cheap East German war surplus equipment that was
> > provided to us by the Burbach regime), to be locally
> > relevant. And we did see some ratings success, believe it
>
> > or not, on WMAJ for a brief time.
> >
> > WRTA in Altoona has been financially viable and solid in
> the
> > ratings with a heavy lineup of local news and talk for
> many
> > years. There's much more going on in State College than
> > there is in Altoona...plus the residents of State College
> > can actually read and write. So if it can work in
> Altoona,
> > I know it can work in State College. In fact, it HAS
> worked
> > in State College.
> >
> > And that's the truth, Ruth.
> >
> > > What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM and
>
> > on
> > > AM radio. Should particular FM stations have minimal
> > local
> > > news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local news
> than
> >
> > > what they already have? Should local news be presented
> in
> > a
> > > certain way?
> > >
> > > Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio
> > should
> > > be. Let's hear it.
> > >
> >
>

 

[killawatt]

call me silly, but as a listener I'm not expecting any station in State College to be the news mecca...if I want in depth coverage - I have a televison set. God knows I won't be reading the CDT, the newspaper that thinks WBLF's change in format is a news story and worthy of front page headlines. It's State College, ya want KDKA, move to Pittsburgh or buy a station and program one yourself.
>
> I'm sure WRSC does little 2-minute news headline type of
> stuff throughout the day. So does WMAJ. But that seems
> like such a token effort. That's not to criticize the
> people working in the newsroom. It's not their fault. They
> have to play the cards they are dealt.
>
> There's not enough going on here to support a KYW-type of
> format, obviously. But there is enough to support a good
> local talkshow and an extended morning (and perhaps
> afternoon) news block. When Rod Burnham was GM at WMAJ, he
> even recorded station editorials. I guess that's considered
> old-school, but it got a reaction out of people and let them
> know they we cared about was going on outside our doors.
>
> And you CAN sell this stuff, too. No one can convince me
> that you can't.
>
> I don't envy Byers. I haven't heard what you are talking
> about, specifically...but flying solo on a talkshow with no
> guests and no callers is hell.
>
> > Doesn't WRSC do local news after top of the hour ABC News
> > and bottom of the hour Fox News? I shouldn't ask, I've
> > heard it. Weather on the 9's I think? I've heard traffic
>
> > reports too when they come up. But, I do remember back in
>
> > the days of old (yes, I'm old...if you are in your 20's or
>
> > 30's, you're a kid compared to me). The local news hasn't
>
> > really changed much except in times of ownership wrangles
> > when everyone is clueless until the dust settles.
> >
> > I've given this new WBLF a listen. Jeff Byers MUST have a
>
> > radio partner, PERIOD! When he was on with Phil Grocz
> (sp?)
> > on Sportsline and Kevin Nelson in the morning, he did much
>
> > better. With no partner, he starts a sentence and it
> never
> > ends. All of the newspaper ads publicized a two hour talk
>
> > show with Tor Michaels, Tor is never there. They are not
> > getting calls so Jeff Byers just goes on and on...I heard
> > Jeff and Tor one time. Tor ranted for about a half an
> hour
> > straight and Jeff Byers just chuckled uncomfortably.
> > There's no control, no instincts, just chaos.
> >
> > When I think of a local news radio station, I think of a
> > KYW. This on the 8's, that on the 7's, etc.
> >
> > FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for
>
> > 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4
> > for that...
> >
> >
> >
> > > I think an AM station dedicated in part to local news
> and
> > > talk could have success. That was a completely unfilled
>
> > > niche until WBLF went in that direction. I don't think
> > WBLF
> > > has the signal strength or community visibility to pull
> it
> >
> > > off. I hope they can, though.
> > >
> > > WRSC focused on local news and talk for years with
> > > tremendous success. When I was at WMAJ in the late
> '90s,
> > we
> > > tried as best we could (given the $3.86 yearly budget
> and
> > > the cheap East German war surplus equipment that was
> > > provided to us by the Burbach regime), to be locally
> > > relevant. And we did see some ratings success, believe
> it
> >
> > > or not, on WMAJ for a brief time.
> > >
> > > WRTA in Altoona has been financially viable and solid in
>
> > the
> > > ratings with a heavy lineup of local news and talk for
> > many
> > > years. There's much more going on in State College than
>
> > > there is in Altoona...plus the residents of State
> College
> > > can actually read and write. So if it can work in
> > Altoona,
> > > I know it can work in State College. In fact, it HAS
> > worked
> > > in State College.
> > >
> > > And that's the truth, Ruth.
> > >
> > > > What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM
> and
> >
> > > on
> > > > AM radio. Should particular FM stations have minimal
> > > local
> > > > news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local news
> > than
> > >
> > > > what they already have? Should local news be
> presented
> > in
> > > a
> > > > certain way?
> > > >
> > > > Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio
> > > should
> > > > be. Let's hear it.
> > > >
> > >
> >
> <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by killawatt on 10/19/05 10:35 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[Newbie]

Well then...having read the topic and the answers so far, why all of buzz about the lack of or inconsistency in local news on the radio around here? Seems there's only so much news so if stations bring out that news daily, then they're done.

> call me silly, but as a listener I'm not expecting any
> station in State College to be the news mecca...if I want in
> depth coverage - I have a televison set. God knows I won't
> be reading the CDT, the newspaper that thinks WBLF's change
> in format is a news story and worthy of front page
> headlines. It's State College, ya want KDKA, move to
> Pittsburgh or buy a station and program one yourself.
> >
> > I'm sure WRSC does little 2-minute news headline type of
> > stuff throughout the day. So does WMAJ. But that seems
> > like such a token effort. That's not to criticize the
> > people working in the newsroom. It's not their fault.
> They
> > have to play the cards they are dealt.
> >
> > There's not enough going on here to support a KYW-type of
> > format, obviously. But there is enough to support a good
> > local talkshow and an extended morning (and perhaps
> > afternoon) news block. When Rod Burnham was GM at WMAJ,
> he
> > even recorded station editorials. I guess that's
> considered
> > old-school, but it got a reaction out of people and let
> them
> > know they we cared about was going on outside our doors.
> >
> > And you CAN sell this stuff, too. No one can convince me
> > that you can't.
> >
> > I don't envy Byers. I haven't heard what you are talking
> > about, specifically...but flying solo on a talkshow with
> no
> > guests and no callers is hell.
> >
> > > Doesn't WRSC do local news after top of the hour ABC
> News
> > > and bottom of the hour Fox News? I shouldn't ask, I've
> > > heard it. Weather on the 9's I think? I've heard
> traffic
> >
> > > reports too when they come up. But, I do remember back
> in
> >
> > > the days of old (yes, I'm old...if you are in your 20's
> or
> >
> > > 30's, you're a kid compared to me). The local news
> hasn't
> >
> > > really changed much except in times of ownership
> wrangles
> > > when everyone is clueless until the dust settles.
> > >
> > > I've given this new WBLF a listen. Jeff Byers MUST have
> a
> >
> > > radio partner, PERIOD! When he was on with Phil Grocz
> > (sp?)
> > > on Sportsline and Kevin Nelson in the morning, he did
> much
> >
> > > better. With no partner, he starts a sentence and it
> > never
> > > ends. All of the newspaper ads publicized a two hour
> talk
> >
> > > show with Tor Michaels, Tor is never there. They are
> not
> > > getting calls so Jeff Byers just goes on and on...I
> heard
> > > Jeff and Tor one time. Tor ranted for about a half an
> > hour
> > > straight and Jeff Byers just chuckled uncomfortably.
> > > There's no control, no instincts, just chaos.
> > >
> > > When I think of a local news radio station, I think of a
>
> > > KYW. This on the 8's, that on the 7's, etc.
> > >
> > > FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe
> for
> >
> > > 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel
> 4
> > > for that...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > I think an AM station dedicated in part to local news
> > and
> > > > talk could have success. That was a completely
> unfilled
> >
> > > > niche until WBLF went in that direction. I don't
> think
> > > WBLF
> > > > has the signal strength or community visibility to
> pull
> > it
> > >
> > > > off. I hope they can, though.
> > > >
> > > > WRSC focused on local news and talk for years with
> > > > tremendous success. When I was at WMAJ in the late
> > '90s,
> > > we
> > > > tried as best we could (given the $3.86 yearly budget
> > and
> > > > the cheap East German war surplus equipment that was
> > > > provided to us by the Burbach regime), to be locally
> > > > relevant. And we did see some ratings success,
> believe
> > it
> > >
> > > > or not, on WMAJ for a brief time.
> > > >
> > > > WRTA in Altoona has been financially viable and solid
> in
> >
> > > the
> > > > ratings with a heavy lineup of local news and talk for
>
> > > many
> > > > years. There's much more going on in State College
> than
> >
> > > > there is in Altoona...plus the residents of State
> > College
> > > > can actually read and write. So if it can work in
> > > Altoona,
> > > > I know it can work in State College. In fact, it HAS
> > > worked
> > > > in State College.
> > > >
> > > > And that's the truth, Ruth.
> > > >
> > > > > What's the ideal on local news for this area? On FM
>
> > and
> > >
> > > > on
> > > > > AM radio. Should particular FM stations have
> minimal
> > > > local
> > > > > news? Should the news/talk AM's have more local
> news
> > > than
> > > >
> > > > > what they already have? Should local news be
> > presented
> > > in
> > > > a
> > > > > certain way?
> > > > >
> > > > > Seems everyone appears to be an expert on what radio
>
> > > > should
> > > > > be. Let's hear it.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

 

[keystonejock]

"FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4 for that..." Yeah, we forget about channel 4, but that's a 24/7 all-news operation, ain't it?

Actually, all the FM music stations "do news" in morning drive, don't they? I think 3WZ does 5-minute news/sports/weather casts twice an hour, plus that never-ending weather thing. You'll never hear that in a larger market.

But that's because FM music listeners just don't WANT a bunch of news. News has become a FORMAT; when people want it, they tune to a News Station. Same thing has happened in TV. Folks don't watch the network news shows like they used to; they click to Fox & CNN when they want news.

Forever would seem to be the outfit most capable, money-wise, of doing newsradio around here, but they might recognize that their 2 little AM stations don't have the coverage to really COMPETE. That's where KYW, KDKA, WCBS & WINS are different. You can hear 'em wherever/whenever. They don't disappear when the sun sets. No sense in spending all that money if they can't hear you anyway.

 

[shilton]

> "FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for
> 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4
> for that..." Yeah, we forget about channel 4, but that's a
> 24/7 all-news operation, ain't it?
>
> Actually, all the FM music stations "do news" in morning
> drive, don't they? I think 3WZ does 5-minute
> news/sports/weather casts twice an hour, plus that
> never-ending weather thing. You'll never hear that in a
> larger market.
>
> But that's because FM music listeners just don't WANT a
> bunch of news. News has become a FORMAT; when people want
> it, they tune to a News Station. Same thing has happened in
> TV. Folks don't watch the network news shows like they used
> to; they click to Fox & CNN when they want news.

keystonejock, you hit the nail on the head with this one. When I was APD/Afternoon Jock at B103 in the 90's I whined and carried on that I felt we needed to cater to our more mature listeners too with an afternoon newscast, so we did one at 3:50 and 4:50 and you know what happened??? People called like crazy asking us to SHUT UP AND PLAY THE MUSIC! I learned real quickly that the average Joe just does not care...not unless its something very big.

Now the coverage I gave the OJ car chase...the Oklahoma City Bombing, the start of the First Gulf War in 1991...that was all timely and the people cared. I am sure any jock on the air on 9-11 gave his show the same attention because at that moment that was all people wanted to hear about.

It comes down to common sense in programming and common sense in the jock's hands. If you can know when to talk about a news event, be it local or national...you will fare well..but do too much news on an FM and you will bore people to tears! They just don't want it.

Heck, people do not even feel motivated enough to care to go out and vote once a year let alone listen to news items relating to politics, etc. Its just a sad reality. The news stations do well because they cater to the audiences that want to hear that type of stuff...but as for the others, there is just no place for it.

Ask the average radio listener who Jama Close is...you will not hear she is the girl who does News on 103...Nope...I venture you will get something like "Oh she is the Hot One on the morning show!"

I rest my case.

Hitman

 

[Noitall]

Ken is the HOT one on the morning show!

> > "FM local news is virtually non-existent. Except maybe for
>
> > 3WZ and school closings in winter but they have channel 4
> > for that..." Yeah, we forget about channel 4, but that's a
>
> > 24/7 all-news operation, ain't it?
> >
> > Actually, all the FM music stations "do news" in morning
> > drive, don't they? I think 3WZ does 5-minute
> > news/sports/weather casts twice an hour, plus that
> > never-ending weather thing. You'll never hear that in a
> > larger market.
> >
> > But that's because FM music listeners just don't WANT a
> > bunch of news. News has become a FORMAT; when people want
> > it, they tune to a News Station. Same thing has happened
> in
> > TV. Folks don't watch the network news shows like they
> used
> > to; they click to Fox & CNN when they want news.
>
> keystonejock, you hit the nail on the head with this one.
> When I was APD/Afternoon Jock at B103 in the 90's I whined
> and carried on that I felt we needed to cater to our more
> mature listeners too with an afternoon newscast, so we did
> one at 3:50 and 4:50 and you know what happened??? People
> called like crazy asking us to SHUT UP AND PLAY THE MUSIC!
> I learned real quickly that the average Joe just does not
> care...not unless its something very big.
>
> Now the coverage I gave the OJ car chase...the Oklahoma City
> Bombing, the start of the First Gulf War in 1991...that was
> all timely and the people cared. I am sure any jock on the
> air on 9-11 gave his show the same attention because at that
> moment that was all people wanted to hear about.
>
> It comes down to common sense in programming and common
> sense in the jock's hands. If you can know when to talk
> about a news event, be it local or national...you will fare
> well..but do too much news on an FM and you will bore people
> to tears! They just don't want it.
>
> Heck, people do not even feel motivated enough to care to go
> out and vote once a year let alone listen to news items
> relating to politics, etc. Its just a sad reality. The
> news stations do well because they cater to the audiences
> that want to hear that type of stuff...but as for the
> others, there is just no place for it.
>
> Ask the average radio listener who Jama Close is...you will
> not hear she is the girl who does News on 103...Nope...I
> venture you will get something like "Oh she is the Hot One
> on the morning show!"
>
> I rest my case.
>
> Hitman
>

 

[mountaineer]

Uh, huh. Yup. I think the buzz started in the thread below when it was suggested that WPSU--#1 because of their news--was the ultimate target in this market, not Froggy. Doesn't sound like anybody is up to it.

Hardly anyone left to tackle WFGY since they own most of the FM sticks. Just WGMR, WZWW & WUBZ. Those with long memories would recall that GMR was the original Country FM and got chased out of the format. Not sure whether Buzz has the total county coverage needed to challenge 98.1. That pretty much leaves 95.3. Hard to imagine them bailing out of AC after all this time...


> Well then...having read the topic and the answers so far,
> why all of buzz about the lack of or inconsistency in local
> news on the radio around here? Seems there's only so much
> news so if stations bring out that news daily, then they're
> done.

 

[killawatt]

Mike we're counting on you to take care of Froggy - Have a HOPPY day.

> Uh, huh. Yup. I think the buzz started in the thread below
> when it was suggested that WPSU--#1 because of their
> news--was the ultimate target in this market, not Froggy.
> Doesn't sound like anybody is up to it.
>
> Hardly anyone left to tackle WFGY since they own most of the
> FM sticks. Just WGMR, WZWW & WUBZ. Those with long memories
> would recall that GMR was the original Country FM and got
> chased out of the format. Not sure whether Buzz has the
> total county coverage needed to challenge 98.1. That pretty
> much leaves 95.3. Hard to imagine them bailing out of AC
> after all this time...
>
>
> > Well then...having read the topic and the answers so far,
> > why all of buzz about the lack of or inconsistency in
> local
> > news on the radio around here? Seems there's only so much
>
> > news so if stations bring out that news daily, then
> they're
> > done.
>