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Network Indiana
- Thread starter radiobrat
- Start date
I'd start with John Emerson...nice guy & easy to reach by phone at the main WIBC office number.radiobrat said:
From what I hear the guy is a jerk and is only concerned with making sure the Emmis Christmas party is pulled off without a hitch. I think his e-mail address is [EDIT]
[EDIT-Private content]
[EDIT-Private content]
hmm...no e-mail address posting...try reaching him directly at 317-684-4171
Just because a station is affiliated with NI doesn't necessarily mean that they use the resources NI provides. I worked for an affiliate some time ago that ran the barter spots but didn't run any of the programs or news.
So .... what did that affiliate get for their barter? Money?
They were a Pacers affil ... so perhaps it had something to do with getting the receiver for free or at reduced cost.
N
NDMA90
Guest
Network Indiana is basically a distribution system. It was originally started and ran by the IBA until it was sold. There can be great potential for a true statewide resource, but it would take money to run and Emmis is not willing to invest in it. I actually had a conversation with an Emmis management person in the late 90's and was told it was a distribution system and that they had it so others wouldn;t.
If NI was interested in a true statewide news resource, then there would be daily reports from around the state. As of now, it is only member stations willing to send stories.
If NI was interested in a true statewide news resource, then there would be daily reports from around the state. As of now, it is only member stations willing to send stories.
1
11south
Guest
NDMA90 said:
Last I checked Network Indiana was a true statewide news source. They offer a wire service, similar to that offered by Assoicated Press for far less money, audio service (individual cuts, stories etc.) off their website and via satellite channels. They also produce hourly state newscasts and feed USA Network News at the top of every hour. They distribute the Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts.
Granted some of their affiliates supply their stories...but isn't that the same for AP? Even NBC, ABC and CBS use their affiliated stations when they don't have someone in the field.
Most state networks started as capital city news bureaus, and most have their headquarters in state capitals.
I think it was started originally by WIRE radio, bought by the Simon family, bought by the Hulman George family, then Emmis. It makes the most sense for Emmis as the news product supplied is a by-product of the WIBC newsroom.
One of the things that Emmis brought to the equation is an Indianapolis area affiliate that actually had listeners...something the other owners were never able to deliver.
NI is a great resource for a high school radio station (WEEM, Pendleton Heights). We use wraps they post online and news stories hourly. NI allows us access to colts, pacers and other audio that we couldn't possibly get any other way. Our budget is tight, and only getting tighter with new state restrictions on spending, so the price is right compared to the AP.
It also helps that John is always a call or email away.
It also helps that John is always a call or email away.
Network Indiana's core competency is gathering and disseminating news of a statewide interest as well as producing long form programming for Affiliate radio stations. Metro's core competency is reporting traffic accidents.
Southport_road said:
And overselling traffic report sponsorships. Sometimes you get two sponsors for the same traffic report.
And another thing...
Please stop giving out the complete name of the street/road each time. "...an accident at East 86th Street and North College Avenue."
"86th and College" is enough. Short and to the point, then move on.
Thank you.
Metro (and and other traffic report)is first and foremost a business in the business of making money. Using a Traffic Report is the vehicle for making money. The quality of the report is secondary to the core goal - money.
Money isn't a bad thing, mentioned hundreds of time in the Bible. These traffic reports are aired by most to create the aura of being all knowing.
Anyone that relies on any traffic report knows how often the reports are wrong or the accident is reported well after it is totally cleaned up. Or the accident is there with no report of it.
Ask anyone who drives (or in my case who used to drive) about traffic reports and you will get the same answer. From the perspective of the traffic reporter though, how often will you have an accident that one of your lsiteners is near? Rarely. Kind of like the weather. (except with the weather we are simply noting the accuracy and these guys still have jobs.)
Someone had an idea for a feature and this idea has blossomed with copies. Gone are the days of interaction with drivers, multiple scanners,and traffic copters. The bean counters did away with this. Eventually it wound up being someone at home with a scanner and a telephone in some cases.
Every radio station that has traffic reports has no comprehensive method for providing accurate real time info to those in cars. Great delivery - lacking infrastructure.
If the State would make their massive traffic center available to the people that pay for it this might change. This system has cameras (see all those towers on 465 and all the feeder Interstates?) and display signs to deliver the information. Great infrastructure - Lacking delivery. A sign or two on the road you are on while you are in the mess isn't worth much.
Channel 13 has several traffic cams that provide at least some infrastructure for knowing what is happening. Great move - no tv's in cars. So why do the TV guys air "up to the minute reports" when their audience is already in the car? That all knowing persona. I TRUST them.
George Carlin and the temperature at the airport is and was the best example of this. OR, Michaels grabbing someone by the chest with two fingers and twisting and asking said person if someone in Batavia could feel it... It's all relative to making the individual listener know we feel their pain. Even if the forecast or traffic report is wrong we know they're trying?
Overselling traffic sponsorships??? Many times Metro would palce two in front and two in back. And remember their barter is for unsold inventory also.
This is why Emmis developed their own traffic network. It wasnt a content issue, it was an inventory issue. We have telephones and already have news reporters so we can do this... Big John I trusted and liked to hear on the air even if he wasn't in the helicopter.
If you scan the Metro stations you will see that the reporters are reading scripts and have no time to find the information. Maybe radio people don't know this.
Money isn't a bad thing, mentioned hundreds of time in the Bible. These traffic reports are aired by most to create the aura of being all knowing.
Anyone that relies on any traffic report knows how often the reports are wrong or the accident is reported well after it is totally cleaned up. Or the accident is there with no report of it.
Ask anyone who drives (or in my case who used to drive) about traffic reports and you will get the same answer. From the perspective of the traffic reporter though, how often will you have an accident that one of your lsiteners is near? Rarely. Kind of like the weather. (except with the weather we are simply noting the accuracy and these guys still have jobs.)
Someone had an idea for a feature and this idea has blossomed with copies. Gone are the days of interaction with drivers, multiple scanners,and traffic copters. The bean counters did away with this. Eventually it wound up being someone at home with a scanner and a telephone in some cases.
Every radio station that has traffic reports has no comprehensive method for providing accurate real time info to those in cars. Great delivery - lacking infrastructure.
If the State would make their massive traffic center available to the people that pay for it this might change. This system has cameras (see all those towers on 465 and all the feeder Interstates?) and display signs to deliver the information. Great infrastructure - Lacking delivery. A sign or two on the road you are on while you are in the mess isn't worth much.
Channel 13 has several traffic cams that provide at least some infrastructure for knowing what is happening. Great move - no tv's in cars. So why do the TV guys air "up to the minute reports" when their audience is already in the car? That all knowing persona. I TRUST them.
George Carlin and the temperature at the airport is and was the best example of this. OR, Michaels grabbing someone by the chest with two fingers and twisting and asking said person if someone in Batavia could feel it... It's all relative to making the individual listener know we feel their pain. Even if the forecast or traffic report is wrong we know they're trying?
Overselling traffic sponsorships??? Many times Metro would palce two in front and two in back. And remember their barter is for unsold inventory also.
This is why Emmis developed their own traffic network. It wasnt a content issue, it was an inventory issue. We have telephones and already have news reporters so we can do this... Big John I trusted and liked to hear on the air even if he wasn't in the helicopter.
If you scan the Metro stations you will see that the reporters are reading scripts and have no time to find the information. Maybe radio people don't know this.
1
11south
Guest
Many times the stations sell a traffic report sponsorship on top of metro or traffic.com....that is the way most of the dual sponsorships happen...I know.....I am a prime violator. I may have invented it for that matter in the early 90's. Let's not mince words...I am a whore...If I was a woman...people would accuse me of lifting my skirt
ChiefEngineer said:
Geez, who ordered the super-sized helping of bitter old man?
11south said:Many times the stations sell a traffic report sponsorship on top of metro or traffic.com....that is the way most of the dual sponsorships happen...I know.....I am a prime violator. I may have invented it for that matter in the early 90's. Let's not mince words...I am a whore...If I was a woman...people would accuse me of lifting my skirt
Did anyone say that was a bad thing? And do you remember the punchline to : What does a Jewish Duck say?
N_D_Radioguy said:
Is the truth sometimes bitter? Even started by saying the Bible references money and that making money isn't bad? No sin involved and certainly this isn't an emotional issue. But you deleted this in the repost (and about half the post) Any letter has a beginning middle and end. If you delete part of it it change the whole aspect of the letter. Read it again.
This board is for discussion. Disagreements are fine but have the good sense to explain your opinion in a manner which can lead to knowledge.
If you look at traffic from a logical pov that television traffic for people in cars withoput televisions is ridiculous. Some would say "but people watch before they leave home..." but running reports until after 9am would negate this rationale.
Traffic is not hard news and it is similar to calling a reality show news. Traffic as a whole is likened to Enron stock, or closer to home IPL. Great while it lasts. Much value is placed in something with little associated worth based on performance.
And staffing is a chronic problem. WIBC being the benchmark, tell me they have as many reporters in the entire group including NI that WIBC alone had in 1975. WIRE and WXLW ditto. Not an Emmis problem, not a radio problem, a sign of the times and something that won't change.
Discussing these changes and how we can use technology or new ways to skin a cat (don't like cats and wouldn't waste my time skinning one) to overcome the problem is the goal.
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,108770.msg864737.html#msg864737
If you want to work in a radio station remember the rule. Don't ever go to the boss with a problem until you also have a solution for the problem. I suggsted mine. And yours?
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