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Port of Providence Fire - BEST COVERAGE

Given Channel 6's history, I am glad that they have decided to go a different route with more feature stories. That being said, they have to cover the big stories. The original problem with WLNE was that they were "that New Bedford station". Literally, when their news theme music started, people would switch the channel to 10 or 12. Arguably, WLNE has had some decent news teams...Dave Layman and Ann Conway, Larry Estepa and Pam Watts, now Walter Cryan and April O'Dell, Ken Bell (sports), and John Ghiorse did weather for 12 years. They even covered SE Massachusetts like nobody else, but nobody ever tuned in!!

SE New England needs all three stations. People should support WLNE.
 
So let's explore this. What gets people to tune into ABC6? Obviously they've made numerous attempts over the years, but still the same result of not even 1 person tuning in. So, does it come natural for 10 and 12 to get viewers or have they done something. Whatever they did, it was logical. So think logically on this question. Please don't post bikini weather girls or anchors on the scene of news as it actually happens. The other two didn't have to do that. Have they done something that 6 hasn't done yet? If you say that there are numerous things, explain them all. So once again, the question is: What gets people to tune into ABC6?
 
Whenever I tune into WLNE it's based on a curiosity factor. I tuned in a few nights when Walter Cryan started because I wanted to see how that whole thing played out. If I see a cosmetic change I'll tune in again to see how things look. But the main reason that I "do not" tune in WLNE is because their Newscast frequently looks like it's lacking something. When I watch them I feel like I'm missing something important.

For example....if you visit a new city where you've never been before and then turn on the television, it's a weird feeling. You want to watch their local news, but you may have no idea who the best News station in town is. So which do you you choose? You can't always tell who is the best because most times all the affiliates seem pretty good. But in Providence It's pretty easy for visitors to distinguish that WLNE isn't the top station in town. I just think that they can tell right away. The Set is bland and the music has a lot to be desired. Even though these elements should not make or break a newscast, I feel that in many cases they do. If you don't look or sound professional people tend to not stick around.

take a look back at history. Has WLNE ever had a great looking set? Certainly not that I can remember. Have they ever had great MUSIC? Yeah...... once back in 1980 when they first changed their call letters they had some cool news music, but not since then. These are cosmetic changes which would hook people in if done correctly.

Another problem is that Rhode Islanders tend to get set in their ways more than many areas of the country. For some odd reason people here are resistant to change. They will keep doing the same thing just because that's what they are used to doing. Most of our parents tuned in either channels 10 or 12. So that's what we do as well. In most cases we don't even think about it. It's just automatic and Channel 6 is never even a choice in our minds. Yes.... it would be nice foir that to chage. Unfortunately old habits are hard to break unless you literally SHOCK people into it.

If I was in charge of WLNE here is what I would do. First change...... New flashier set. Not WPRI flashy because I feel that's overkill. But at least add some monitors in the background and make the set seem a bit busier. Right now it is way to bland. Kick the music up a notch. I've heard Royalty free music on the internet which would be so incredibly cheap for them to use that it's sick! The surprising part is that some of it is truly Awsome sounding! Updating their news music would just be a drop in the bucket. So there is no reason not to do it. Building a better set would cost them, but with a little creativity it doesn't have to cost an arm or a leg to be a lot better than what they've got now. Then after changing those two elements I would start working on other areas of the newscast such as complete overhauls of the talent. It doesn't have to mean that people get fired, but I would certainly switch people around.

WLNE can do a lot better and it doesn't have to cost a lot. Unfortunately I think they have just grown so used to the idea of always being third that they've accepted the fact that this is the way it's going to be. But they are wrong. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be like this. They "CAN" change. Unfortunately they don't seem particularly motivated to do so. They should seriously think about hiring some consultants like Ethan and myself to give it our best shot. People with some creative ideas in their heads who genuinely want to see the station do well.
 
Here's one promotion that they used in the early 80's: Send people around knocking on doors between 6pm and 6:30pm. If the tv is tuned to 6, then give the family a free WATCH. I'm NOT kidding -- they actually did this!!!!

As for theme music, try this link:
http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer.php?version=theme&id=403

As the theme played, the voiceover guy said something like, "Now! Dave Layman and Ann Conway...Ken Bell Sports...AND JOHN GHIORSE WEATHER...LIVE FROM DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE...THIS IS WLNE NEWS!!!"

Contrary to what the website says, they used this theme from 1983-1990. It was actually pretty catchy at the time. At the time, WPRI had the "Hello News -- Hello Rhode Island theme", which was also pretty good. WJAR used whatever -- everyone just turned to 10 at the time.

In 1980, WLNE was using the Action News theme (similar to what the Philly station WPVI(?) still uses). Then, they went to the "Channel 6 News" branding and a new theme with John Sweeney. I did hear this second theme on the radio several years later when I was up late in grad school at the student-run coffee house (I initially thought that I was hallucinating at 2am!). Then, 1983 brought John Ghiorse and the WLNE News branding -- later modified to WLNE 6 News.
 
see i agree with the set changes and such but there is another thing you need to do...

promote the hell out of yourselves. let people know hey im here and you want to watch us.
buy those cheesy cable ads and advertise yourself on other channels.

billboards , busses, local flyers... get your name out there. while i hated that for years that our tv stations here are always a definate 1-2-3, id love to see all three going neck and neck for number 1. it makes for better tv. id hate to see 6 kill the others, because then thats poor tv again but id love to see a 3 way race and not just a 2 way one.
 
That WLNE News Music posted here is not the one I thought was cool. It was a different electronic sounding theme used in 1981 and 1982 I believe. I know that I've heard it somewhere online. If I can find it I will post it.
 
I used to say that over and over again too, about hyped-up promotion. But now I'm going to tell you the same thing these people have tried to get in my head and today can celebrate success for it finally happening. They need money for everything. Money for a new set, money for new music, money for new trucks and possibly a chopper, and money for promotion on cable, radio, newspapers, billboards, etc. Money that the management at 6 won't invest all that good stuff in because they're all obviously too stubborn.

When I was at 6 two years ago, I saw an ad for a set design company above the desk of Kathy Gazda, the former news director. She called it her "dream set" and that it also cost approximately $100,000 (don't remember it exactly but that's what I think she metioned, probably more).

6 doesn't have money, sad to say, and it looks like there's no logical way to make money, is there? If there is, the managment isn't going to do it. Which brings me to my next questions. How do we get the staff to do something? If that doesn't work, how do new people come across 6 and get this worthless staff out? I'd like to hope with a bright outlook that the people at 6 are looking at this. Maybe they can generate these ideas back to the bosses. On the other hand, you'd rather I didn't say the preceding.

By the way, did that news music you were looking for sound a little something like this?
http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer.php?version=theme&id=852
 
Nope that's not it either. Go back to 1980. You'll find it there, but unfortunately it's not on that site. However WLNE had cool music back in 1995 I believe that I also liked. It's hit and miss with them. They will have a great theme every 10 or 15 years. Then the ones inbetween are just plain bad.
 
What I remember on theme music for WLNE:

1. Sept 1980 - 1982 -- I believe it was the Action News Theme (WPVI in Philly still uses it), memory is hazy, I am sure that they used the "Action News" branding -- Magee Hickey/Chris Conanglia era.

2. 1982 - 1983 -- The awful theme music (not electric) that I later heard at 3am in the student coffee house -- John Sweeney/Magee Hickey/Chris Conanglia/Ann Conway era

3. 1983 - 1990 -- Theme Music that I posted earlier (it seems to be sort of re-mix of parts of the Action News theme) -- Dave Layman/Ann Conway eera
 
I've actually got 25 year old Audio casettes and I'm sure I have the music on one of those. If I feel motivated today I will search for it and post it.
 
Please post it when you have a chance. I'd really like to hear it! WLNE was changing constantly during the early 80's and I'm sure that there were more themes (possibly in 1980 before I started college).
 
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