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Radio PA

F

fred flintstone

Guest
Every time I hear Radio PA, I continue to be amazed at how bad it is. It mostly pops up on weak stick - small market stations, so I suppose for them it's better than nothing. But njot much. A lot of their stories come a day after they hit the AP wire. They get somebody on the phone and add a sound bite but it's still a long lag. Jim Plummer seems obsessed with any story having to do with trees. Tara Whatshername sounds like a repressed old maid school teacher. Ray Smith puts out some of the most convaluted prose I have ever heard. They are owned by the Harrisburg public radio stations but they are so far below public radio standards. I don't see why any worthwhile station would take them.
 
AND how can a non-commercial company own a for-profit network which airs spots?
 
OR ---- is Radio Pa. operated as a non-profit too? If they are non-profit ---how can they air spots?
 
Not only is Radio PA bad..but their spot requirements are ridiculous! To get their half-baked service you have to carry so many spots you barely have any room for your own clients.
 
jayedwards said:
AND how can a non-commercial company own a for-profit network which airs spots?
Click to expand...

Radio PA is essentially a wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary of WITF Inc.
 
Not only is Radio PA bad..but their spot requirements are ridiculous! To get their half-baked service you have to carry so many spots you barely have any room for your own clients.

I wouldn't complain if their service was a little bit better. They have longform newscasts that, unless you live in the eastern half of the state, spark no interest whatsoever in listeners. Their anchors aren't too bad, and their wraps are done professionally, but I have found their weathers to be horribly inaccurate (it makes the TV guys look reliable! :D) and their high school sports show is again, a nice effort, but again, if you don't live in Eastern PA, it's not really a valuable service. I don't think it's worth the barter.
 
Hey, “Fred Flintstone”…I’m Brad Christman, the Assignment Editor for Radio PA, and here we have the first of many differences between you and me: I won’t post anonymously, or hide behind a fictional name. Then again, I’m sure it’s a lot easier to criticize and sling arrows without standing behind what you write. Ironically, it wasn’t difficult to learn your real identity, and that made everything crystal clear.

We’re extremely proud of what we have accomplished at Radio PA, and the journalists you spinelessly maligned by name (without giving yours…very brave) in your initial post are consummate professionals, each with long track records of journalistic success. We work very hard for our affiliates and I’m proud to work along side them day in and day out.

We’re also VERY proud to be associated with WITF, and together, we’re producing important and relevant journalism for radio stations and their listeners all over the state.

I don’t visit these boards often, and have never posted until now, but when you attack my crew in such a cowardly fashion…I respond.

Now go ahead, and take more unjustified shots at Radio PA if you want, but be aware that we know who you are, and your credibility is a joke.

Incidentally, take note that I didn’t mention you by name. That’s called class.
 
We’re also VERY proud to be associated with WITF, and together, we’re producing important and relevant journalism for radio stations and their listeners all over the state.

You guys are doing a good job, Brad. Just what I've stated here were the only 'beefs' I had about your service. In your defense though, I think that the stations in the eastern half of the state are better funded for their news departments. Most of the ones in Western PA likely don't contribute much (or maybe there's just not a whole lot happening here), and I'm trying to change that when we have material that's relevant to a statewide audience. I know that Steve Lohle can only do so much.

We do use the wraps regularly, and those are informative and done well.
 
I appreciate that, Ken...and anyone who knows me, knows that I'm always just a phone call away when it comes to addressing the needs of the affiliates. It's funny though, I've always been concerned that it's the western part of the state that's getting the most play because we tend to have more affiliate participation from the west.
If there's ever anything I can do to help your station (didn't know you had moved until this week), just let me know...and thanks for the story you sent us the other day. If anything else comes up, keep us in mind.

Brad
 
The difference between us is I believe the post is more important than the identity of the poster. Most board members use handles in order to speak freely and avoid retaliation. Since you are offering the "company line," you don't need to worry about that.

You don't attempt to refute any of my points, just complain about my use of a handle.

Yes, I was a dissatisfied customer of your service. I recommended the station drop it but I was told there were other "business considerations." If you are proud of the product then we have differing standards.

As to whether my criticisms are justified, those who use your service and those who listen can decide for themselves.

I would hope you would apply the same dilligence to capitol coverage as to uncovering the identities of your online critics. However, almost all of what I hear from your service was in a wire story or a press release the day before. But that could be said of most radio news. Unfortunately, sound has become more important than story and Radio PA does provide sound.


Brad224 said:
Hey, “Fred Flintstone”…I’m Brad Christman, the Assignment Editor for Radio PA, and here we have the first of many differences between you and me: I won’t post anonymously, or hide behind a fictional name. Then again, I’m sure it’s a lot easier to criticize and sling arrows without standing behind what you write. Ironically, it wasn’t difficult to learn your real identity, and that made everything crystal clear.

We’re extremely proud of what we have accomplished at Radio PA, and the journalists you spinelessly maligned by name (without giving yours…very brave) in your initial post are consummate professionals, each with long track records of journalistic success. We work very hard for our affiliates and I’m proud to work along side them day in and day out.

We’re also VERY proud to be associated with WITF, and together, we’re producing important and relevant journalism for radio stations and their listeners all over the state.

I don’t visit these boards often, and have never posted until now, but when you attack my crew in such a cowardly fashion…I respond.

Now go ahead, and take more unjustified shots at Radio PA if you want, but be aware that we know who you are, and your credibility is a joke.

Incidentally, take note that I didn’t mention you by name. That’s called class.
Click to expand...
 
I have to say one thing... Radio PA is one of the BEST statewide radio networks in the UNITED STATES!

Craig Scott, Craig Rhodes, Scott Hammonds, Mary Miculita, Brad Christman, and the entire broadcast team have always acted very professional.

I have used them on several stations that I have been associated with in Pennsylvania. I would use their network again if provided the opportunity.

So what, they are tied in with WITF. WITF isn't chump change either. In fact, I believe that it's a great synergy by having both operations under one roof. Putting the best possible programming out there for the listeners in the Commonwealth.

They have even offered advertising revenue for stations with various promotions with their advertisers. Do you know of any network nationally that does that for it's affiliates? I think not.

So, make sure that you get your facts straight about Radio PA before busting their chops.

Signed,
A Very Proud to be Associated Former Radio PA Affiliate Member

Radio Boss
 
Radio PA is one of the BEST statewide radio networks in the UNITED STATES!
Click to expand...
Have you heard or worked with all of them?

So, make sure that you get your facts straight about Radio PA before busting their chops.
Click to expand...
You have a right to your opinion, but I don't see much in the way of facts.

Your comments deal with the business side of the operation; mine dealt with the on-air product. As I mentioned, business considerations kept Radio PA on the air at one station (maybe others).

They have even offered advertising revenue for stations with various promotions with their advertisers. Do you know of any network nationally that does that for it's affiliates? I think not.
Click to expand...
Not currently. Mutual did. When you're number four, you try harder.
 
what bothers me is NPR and PBS stations plead for $$$ but seem to have many sources of $$$. (including profit-making businesses like Radio Pa!) A very strange set-up indeed.
 
I went back and looked at the Radio PA newsroom’s recent history. I really dislike having to post this, because I believe that we do what we do to serve our affiliates, not to win awards, but the facts are the facts.
Radio PA has been the recipient of 60+ statewide and national awards for journalistic excellence in recent years. Radio PA has been the recipient of the AP’s Joe Snyder Award for Outstanding News Service in 3 of the past 5 years, including the last two years in a row.

I post this not to brag, but to point out that Radio PA’s #1 priority is to give all of our affiliates the best product we possibly can, and none of what I just listed has anything to do with the “business side” of Radio PA affiliation.

“Fred,” despite what I may have indicated in my initial response to you, I respect your opinions and your right to express them. You don’t like us, I believe mostly because of personal grudges you have against us. That’s okay…we don’t feel the same toward you, and if you ever find yourself working for one of our affiliates again, we’ll do our best to work with you, just like we tried to do the last time. I wish you well, and hope you have a good Labor Day holiday weekend.
The only reason I jumped into this fray is because you singled out my staff by name and lobbed what I consider to be unjustified insults at them publicly and anonymously. That’s something that no Editor can tolerate. They’re my crew, and I’ll stand by them forever.
That’s my final word. You can continue to criticize us if you wish, but I’m going back to my usual pattern of only reading these boards every few months or so to catch up on what people are talking about.

And, Radio Boss…I’m not sure who you are, but thank you for helping me to set the record straight.

-Brad
 
The only reason I jumped into this fray is because you singled out my staff by name and lobbed what I consider to be unjustified insults at them publicly and anonymously. That’s something that no Editor can tolerate. They’re my crew, and I’ll stand by them forever.

I will agree with Brad on this one, Fred. Let's try to keep this professional and not personal.
 
Your comments deal with the business side of the operation; mine dealt with the on-air product. As I mentioned, business considerations kept Radio PA on the air at one station (maybe others).

Michigan's state news network went bankrupt at one point, and then it came back under the new name, Full Circle Broadcasting. I would say any state news network that sounds good, though not perfect (after all, who is?) is better than none at all.
 
Fred,

I have worked in several markets around the country. From Little Rock, Kansas City, Quad Cities, Cumberland, MD, Albany, NY and of course State College, Williamsport, and Scranton-Wilkes Barre here in PA.

The ONLY network that could come close to what Radio PA puts out OVER THE AIR is the Arkansas Radio Network. I never worked with them at a station; but, they have great news announcers.

Radio PA has great talent on the air. There is only one person that will drive me up the wall listening to and that is Pete Primac. But, he is a reporter that fills in on occasion for Brad and crew. Other than that, some of their air talent could be in bigger markets doing news for the big dogs.

I am currently not a radio station owner or manager; but, if I had a station in PA and could get Radio PA for it's outstanding service, I would call Scott Hammonds the next day to see if I could get the service.

The programming is gradually progressing towards full service. With Don Steese's "Outdoors PA", this show should be on every station around. The Radio PA High School Football Scoreboard Show has been built up and serves as one of the fastest two hours in radio. This includes local broadcasters/newspaper reporters calling in reports of games covered ALL OVER Pennsylvania.

For Brad, it's Sam J. from our association in the Williamsport market.

Brad, you guys do an outstanding job and I really miss those specials that you have produced in the last couple of years tied to specific events that have happened in the Keystone state. The retrospectives that remind you about our past here in PA.

For Mr. Flintstone, I am not aware of your experience in radio, much less broadcasting in general; but, EVERYONE is ENTITLED to THEIR opinion. Thus, creating a mini debate on various topics of interest.

Mind you, I am not trying to "slam you" and your thoughts. But, trying to give a perspective from someone that has used and also participated with a story or two for the network.
 
Brad224 said:
“Fred,” despite what I may have indicated in my initial response to you, I respect your opinions and your right to express them. You don’t like us, I believe mostly because of personal grudges you have against us. That’s okay…we don’t feel the same toward you, and if you ever find yourself working for one of our affiliates again, we’ll do our best to work with you, just like we tried to do the last time. I wish you well, and hope you have a good Labor Day holiday weekend.

The only reason I jumped into this fray is because you singled out my staff by name and lobbed what I consider to be unjustified insults at them publicly and anonymously. That’s something that no Editor can tolerate. They’re my crew, and I’ll stand by them forever.

That’s my final word. You can continue to criticize us if you wish, but I’m going back to my usual pattern of only reading these boards every few months or so to catch up on what people are talking about.
Click to expand...

Brad, I am sorry you read my earlier comments (from two and a half months ago) as coming from a "personal grudge." Possibly you immediately decided that my comments could not possibly be legitimate criticism and must come from someone with a "grudge." Therefore, you decided to uncover my identity (which many people who post on this site know). I wish you had read my comments as legitimate criticism and fair comment. I made the post after having the occasion to hear some Radio PA reports earlier in the week and not based on my much earlier working experience.

I appreciate your loyalty to your staff (often absent in this business).

I have not heard too many state networks. I have heard broadcasts from the Texas State Network and was impressed. A former competitor was hired by Radio PA's network in New York State, and he would be an asset to any news operation.

I think state government is often overlooked in broadcast news and is too important to be ignored. I have admired the work of the late Sandy Starobin, of Gene Dillard in Trenton and Millennium Radio in New Jersey. I think that kind of radio reporting is to be supported and encouraged.

Others who have participated in this thread seem to have a problem with a public radio (and TV) station owning a for profit business (two commercial state news networks). I don't share that view (and I have items from the Minnesota Public Radio catalog to prove it).
 
We use Radio PA in Bloomsburg at News Radio 930 WHLM. We do not use the Radio PA casts...once in a while we use the news call wraps...but what we do use regularly are the sound bites supplied with the wraps. We take the bites and custom wrap them. It gives us the regional and Harrisburg news that adds depth. We cover local news, Radio PA covers state news and CBS covers National and International. When you look at your options for regional news there isn't much. You have AP which isn't what it used to be and then there is Metro...lets not go there.

Do I think Radio PA could be improved...absolutely...what operation doesn't have room for improvement. However, I have found Radio PA to produce a credible product.
 
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