M
Mark_Giardina
Guest
WHAM-TV: One has to give credit where credit is due. In the case of WHAM-TV (I still want to call it WOKR) despite ownership changes over the years, Channel 13 remains on top for a number of reasons.
The biggest is Don Alhart. Alhart has been with the station since the early 60s and is a mainstay on Rochester TV; plus he’s active in the community and in person is a very decent fellow. Another reason 13 remains popular with viewers is because of the talented staff they have. Unlike another TV news operation in Rochester, 13 seem to not only keep good people, but also allow them the opportunity to grow. As an example a majority of their field reporters have, from time-to-time been allowed to anchor as well. The most important thing going in 13’s favor is that they look ahead; meaning they have people already in place when the current anchoring staff decides to retire. That’s called good business.
WHEC-TV: One time leader in local news, Channel 10 still manages to produce a decent news product. There have been some on-air changes that I question, but since I am not in a position of management, I can only comment from a viewer’s perspective. The decision to move Rich Funke as the main anchor was a smart move because Rich started his career news, plus he is well known in the market because of his years as sports director at 10. 10 also has some good investigative reporters as well. My only concern with 10 has been its history of replacing older female on-air staff. I’m not claiming there is age discrimination going on, but there has been a pattern over the years where, especially women anchors, have been replaced once they reached a certain age.
WROC-TV: Believe it or not I have been rooting for years for Channel 8 to be a competitive news operation. And there have been occasions when the station was just starting to show promise when the rug was pulled out underneath the feet of the staff. For this I blame the owners and management. Just a few years ago 8 started showing resurgence especially with their field reporters. All of a sudden those reporters and some anchors that had shown such great promise either left on their own, or was shown the front door. Their replacements were mediocre to say the least. The ‘I could care less’ attitude that 8’s owners and managers have displayed towards maintaining a solid news staff will continue to haunt that operation until the day the station is sold to an organization that truly wants to be competitive in the Rochester market.
The biggest is Don Alhart. Alhart has been with the station since the early 60s and is a mainstay on Rochester TV; plus he’s active in the community and in person is a very decent fellow. Another reason 13 remains popular with viewers is because of the talented staff they have. Unlike another TV news operation in Rochester, 13 seem to not only keep good people, but also allow them the opportunity to grow. As an example a majority of their field reporters have, from time-to-time been allowed to anchor as well. The most important thing going in 13’s favor is that they look ahead; meaning they have people already in place when the current anchoring staff decides to retire. That’s called good business.
WHEC-TV: One time leader in local news, Channel 10 still manages to produce a decent news product. There have been some on-air changes that I question, but since I am not in a position of management, I can only comment from a viewer’s perspective. The decision to move Rich Funke as the main anchor was a smart move because Rich started his career news, plus he is well known in the market because of his years as sports director at 10. 10 also has some good investigative reporters as well. My only concern with 10 has been its history of replacing older female on-air staff. I’m not claiming there is age discrimination going on, but there has been a pattern over the years where, especially women anchors, have been replaced once they reached a certain age.
WROC-TV: Believe it or not I have been rooting for years for Channel 8 to be a competitive news operation. And there have been occasions when the station was just starting to show promise when the rug was pulled out underneath the feet of the staff. For this I blame the owners and management. Just a few years ago 8 started showing resurgence especially with their field reporters. All of a sudden those reporters and some anchors that had shown such great promise either left on their own, or was shown the front door. Their replacements were mediocre to say the least. The ‘I could care less’ attitude that 8’s owners and managers have displayed towards maintaining a solid news staff will continue to haunt that operation until the day the station is sold to an organization that truly wants to be competitive in the Rochester market.