The formerly analog Channel 62 (nee WTZA in Kingston) - now operating as a DT yet carried by many New York-area cable systems - is a two-headed monster.
Between 5 and 9 PM, they air news programming, including a two-hour news block and an informative half-hour news program at 8 PM. Sandwiched in-between is "Richard French Live" (he owns the station, and at one point was the front-runner to acquire the Air America Radio network). French returns at 8:30 PM to host "Real Politics Live".
Outside of those hours, however, they're a completely different animal. Wall-to-wall infomercials, as well as brokered home shopping and auction programs. (They air Creflo Dollar's religious program weeknights at 9 PM right after the news programs). Last night, I scrolled by and they ran a crawl of election results - right over infomercials as well as some Turkish program. Also, there is no live programming on the weekends, outside of the California-based "Jimmy's Bronze & Art Auction".
I do like the novelty of the station serving as a regional version of Fox News (albeit with a different political lean). Their news programs are skillfully-presented and well-produced, and some of the folks on their roster like Karen Depodwin have a bright future. But if RNN wants to maintain an identity as a legitimate news source, they should consider programming more "content" into their schedule and, as hard as it may be to part ways with them as sources of income, airing fewer infomercials.
Between 5 and 9 PM, they air news programming, including a two-hour news block and an informative half-hour news program at 8 PM. Sandwiched in-between is "Richard French Live" (he owns the station, and at one point was the front-runner to acquire the Air America Radio network). French returns at 8:30 PM to host "Real Politics Live".
Outside of those hours, however, they're a completely different animal. Wall-to-wall infomercials, as well as brokered home shopping and auction programs. (They air Creflo Dollar's religious program weeknights at 9 PM right after the news programs). Last night, I scrolled by and they ran a crawl of election results - right over infomercials as well as some Turkish program. Also, there is no live programming on the weekends, outside of the California-based "Jimmy's Bronze & Art Auction".
I do like the novelty of the station serving as a regional version of Fox News (albeit with a different political lean). Their news programs are skillfully-presented and well-produced, and some of the folks on their roster like Karen Depodwin have a bright future. But if RNN wants to maintain an identity as a legitimate news source, they should consider programming more "content" into their schedule and, as hard as it may be to part ways with them as sources of income, airing fewer infomercials.