Shuttle Launch Coverage (Or Lack Thereof)

[spanky1979]

It never ceases to amaze me that there were only two radio stations on the Space Coast that did any sort of live shuttle launch coverage for last night’s launch. They were WMEL 1300AM and WMFE 90.7FM. How have we arrived at this sad time that some stupid syndicated talk show or music is more important than live coverage of the shuttle launches? It makes me wonder where the PDs heads are. Every Space Coast station, with the exception of those few AMs that sign-off at sunset, should be covering the launches. Do we not care about launches so much that the only time any big station covers them is when a disaster occurs? I was at the launch and everyone was wondering where I was getting my countdown information from. I feel bad that tourists cannot scan the FM (or AM) dial and find nonstop launch coverage on every Space Coast station.

Your thoughts and comments on the Launch Coverage, or lack thereof, on the Space Coast AM/FM stations are welcome...

 

[FrankF]

Could it be that because the launch was almost at midnight and the other stations were too cheap to pay someone to be at the board to run some sort of feed around launchtime?

 

[WMC2006]

I don't live in Florida but, if I did, why would I want to LISTEN to a space shuttle launch on the radio????

In general, space shuttle launches are fairly insignificant in the grand scheme of things and they are seemingly, certainly in this case, delayed multiple times.

That's why the networks don't cover them lilke they used to. That's why CNN dumped Miles O'Brien who was their space correspondent.

There's nothing new to space xhuttle launches. General and regular coverage of them are over and done with unless, as you mentioned, some kind of tragedy occurs.

 

[FLORIDA RADIO 386]

580 WDBO started coverage a few minutes before lift off.

 

[Parttimer]

Every Space Coast station, with the exception of those few AMs that sign-off at sunset, should be covering the launches.

30 years ago, yes. But frankly, what would the local, low-paid and probably low-skilled reporter, using the inferior equipment his local low-budget station can afford, add that the national coverage would not provide?

 

[japman]

NEWS13 on Brighthouse was there all evening, but of course if you have cable you probably have the NASA channel as well. Another sad thought is that Dan Billow on WESH-2 is now a "part time" Space Reporter and does weekend morning weather (he's so un-enthusiatic about it the times I've seen him, but who could blame him seeing how it's really a demotion). Hope he doesn't turn out to be like Ron Kendrick (used to be 2's "ace" on nascar that now is a tour guide at Daytona) ... I don't want to see Dan talking on the speaker during my KSC bus tour.

 

[pkingnews]

Hi All; be advised that the major radio networks-CBS, ABC, AP, Fos and CNN, do provide shuttle launch and landing coverage, anchored. Here at CBS , Bill Harwood and I have been a broadcast team since 1997. It's up to affiliates, of course, to carry coverage. I believe that WDBO-AM carries ABC's coverage. I, too, wish more local stations would provide coverage, but there are, indeed so many ways to get the info...on line, on PDAs, cell phones and I-phones and the like, so there's not exactly a dearth of info out there.

 

[jrobert]

You've got to kidding me, Right? Live radio coverage of a shuttle launch!? Over half of the country doesn't even watch them on TV anymore. Space launches are common place these days. If they're like me, I don't give a rats rear end about NASA since we stopped going to the moon. There are better things to spend billions of dollars on, than a floating space station that has NO purpose what so ever.

The prospect of "space travel" won't be accomplished until we figure out how to break the light speed barrier. Anyone? "Not in ours, or our childrens lifetime". We can't even get our of our own planetary cluster in less than 5 years. Spot wasting the taxpayers money on the false hope of someday traveling to other galaxies.

I say, cut NASA off from the Federal budget and make them earn their own money. BB King said it best. "The thrill is gone!"

 

[Pennanti]

But frankly, what would the local, low-paid and probably low-skilled reporter, using the inferior equipment his local low-budget station can afford, add that the national coverage would not provide?

Ask WMEL. I couldn't listen the night that the shuttle actually launched, but on the night of the first launch attempt, WMEL was taking non-stop calls live on the air from listeners who were giving updates on what the weather was like at whatever location they were trying to see the launch from. My wife and I used those calls to help us decide whether or not it was worth it to try to go see the launch. Good info to have.

 

[DesiArnez6]

I am wondering how many here:
A.) Even live in Brevard
B.) Are brand new transplants that don't really care about KSC or its significance to the development of the entire county.

Tourists come to Titusville, Cape Canaveral, and Merritt Island all the time to watch the shuttle launches from the river and ocean, and it has ALWAYS been tradition to listen to the radio coverage and countdown with a portable radio.

The point isnt to sit back in missouri on cable TV and hope for a countdown nationwide.

The point is that Space Shuttle launches are VERY local in Brevard, they shake your house like an earthquake, even at midnight they are so bright that it almost appears daylight. (I remember the launches from Cape Canaveral when my paper route was there), And when they land, it sounds like someone kicks a solid boot to your door and everyone elses (something with how it enters the atmosphere I dont remember, The teachers explained it to us)


When people go to the river, or Jetty Park, I dont know anyone with a portable satellite TV trying to get the countdown on Fox News, of course not.

But this is the VERY foundation of Brevard County itself, how it started, how it grew, why all the military bases, the defense contractor companies, and why anyone ever bothered to move to brevard in the 60's anyways. Why else would they have moved to what was formally (and rightfully so) part of the former "Mosquito County" Before it was divided up?

Shuttle launches may look boring on TV I know. The countdown on the radio is not so bad....BUT

Watching a shuttle launch WITH radio coverage simply goes hand in hand.

IMHO, IT is a sad day indeed when radio gets so corporte/national, that executives 10 states away can say, "eh, no don't bother covering that, shuttles are boring. Not that i've ever seen one in real life or even been to brevard, but it cant possibly be good for ratings"

*There is a historical notion that radio is also to a degree about public service and being a medium to inform the public, especially on LOCAL matters.


*When Kennedy Space Center is outsourced, it won't matter anyways, and sadly many won't care, or realize or remember its significance. (And I'm only in my 20's, geez and even I see KSC as a symbol of patriotism and great accomplishment. Each shuttle launch made me proud of that part of our American History. But forget American History, I'll go turn on American Idol, "cuz its funner."

 

[BIG APE]

I grew up in Brevard County and I was there when Vanguards, Matadors, and other small Navahos crashed and burned sometimes over populated areas in the Cocoa area.  It was always a "BIG Deal" for the neighbors to be the the back yard yelling "Missile" and everyone was out watching.  I grew up and worked for ROCKET RADIO WRKT 1300 and we covered every launch.. Later I was at WEZY and the same occurred.  I graduated an went to work for WESH-TV as Brevard County News Director and I filmed every launch there was, whether as manned or satellite launch. People in Brevard still want to know what is happening and that's why I would love to have an AM/FM Combo back in Brevard and cover every frigging local thing that happened from space shots, Cocoa High Football, Cocoa Police Beat, Brevard Community College, what's happening at the pubs and who's catching what fish and where!  You cannot tell me that people don't care about this stuff!  46 years in the Biz and my zeal for the Space Program has not changed..Ask my collegue Jay Barbree from NBC who is still covering the shuttles on NBC and has NEVER missed a launch!

 

[DesiArnez6]

Absolutely thos issues are so important, and yet we get bombarded by Orlando news trafic and issues (understandably to some degree) but Brevard has grown enough to get local on their radio, South Brevard is really its own market now as far as radio goes. I remember everyone always complaining about the constant traffic reports (I-4, and John Young Parkway etc) when we would be stuck in a "parking lot" called Wickham Rd. Wondering hey? why didn't anyone mention it? We always heard about Orlando Politics, etc But could never find high school sports, local fishing info, The Inlet / Shoreline, Jetty Park etc, as for BCC, and Police Beat, exactly, people want this stuff. Which is why ofcourse Florida Today is so popular, no one else does it, AND Florida Today does it pretty well, AND they are Gannett which = lots of money / financial backing.

 

[KE4KLS_Radio]

Having lived and worked at the space coast, I have found live feed on the 2 meter repeater in Merritt Island the best bet. With a portable scanner on 146.940 Mhz, the audio feed from NASA provides countdown info provided by the NASA public affairs office, and this repeater covers most of Brevard County. Seems like the local TV stations do a much better job, but as one of the posts replied I would agree 580 WDBO is the best bet for shuttle launches on the radio.

 

[DesiArnez6]

Having lived and worked at the space coast, I have found live feed on the 2 meter repeater in Merritt Island the best bet. With a portable scanner on 146.940 Mhz, the audio feed from NASA provides countdown info provided by the NASA public affairs office, and this repeater covers most of Brevard County. Seems like the local TV stations do a much better job, but as one of the posts replied I would agree 580 WDBO is the best bet for shuttle launches on the radio.

Will definitely keep this info in mind. Atleast WDBO has some local respect ... Or atleast "Our" local respect. Since their an orlando station The signal wears thin tho in South Brevard (not that tourists would watch there, they'd watch in North or Central Brevard) But those who watch from near Melbourne area, local residents might see reception as an issue Unless maybe with an HD portable radio Then 580 woul come in fine I suppose. The repeater is something I did not know tho, so If all else fails, 146.940 I guess. (Wasn't on my presets, but you know....)

 

[nutballgazette]

I grew up in Brevard County and I was there when Vanguards, Matadors, and other small Navahos crashed and burned sometimes over populated areas in the Cocoa area. It was always a "BIG Deal" for the neighbors to be the the back yard yelling "Missile" and everyone was out watching. I grew up and worked for ROCKET RADIO WRKT 1300 and we covered every launch.. Later I was at WEZY and the same occurred. I graduated an went to work for WESH-TV as Brevard County News Director and I filmed every launch there was, whether as manned or satellite launch. People in Brevard still want to know what is happening and that's why I would love to have an AM/FM Combo back in Brevard and cover every frigging local thing that happened from space shots, Cocoa High Football, Cocoa Police Beat, Brevard Community College, what's happening at the pubs and who's catching what fish and where! You cannot tell me that people don't care about this stuff! 46 years in the Biz and my zeal for the Space Program has not changed..Ask my collegue Jay Barbree from NBC who is still covering the shuttles on NBC and has NEVER missed a launch!

I moved to Brevaed in 1978, and at that time every High School team football was aired accross the county on 920, 1060, 1240, 1300, 1350, 102.7? (WYRL) and Titusville's FM Station too,
BCC Basketball aired Braves Baseball on 1240 and when the Shuttle started most stations too covered them


BCC

 

[BIG APE]

I grew up in Brevard County and I was there when Vanguards, Matadors, and other small Navahos crashed and burned sometimes over populated areas in the Cocoa area. It was always a "BIG Deal" for the neighbors to be the the back yard yelling "Missile" and everyone was out watching. I grew up and worked for ROCKET RADIO WRKT 1300 and we covered every launch.. Later I was at WEZY and the same occurred. I graduated an went to work for WESH-TV as Brevard County News Director and I filmed every launch there was, whether as manned or satellite launch. People in Brevard still want to know what is happening and that's why I would love to have an AM/FM Combo back in Brevard and cover every frigging local thing that happened from space shots, Cocoa High Football, Cocoa Police Beat, Brevard Community College, what's happening at the pubs and who's catching what fish and where! You cannot tell me that people don't care about this stuff! 46 years in the Biz and my zeal for the Space Program has not changed..Ask my collegue Jay Barbree from NBC who is still covering the shuttles on NBC and has NEVER missed a launch!

I moved to Brevaed in 1978, and at that time every High School team football was aired accross the county on 920, 1060, 1240, 1300, 1350, 102.7? (WYRL) and Titusville's FM Station too,
BCC Basketball aired Braves Baseball on 1240 and when the Shuttle started most stations too covered them


BCC

Are we launching tommorrow? I was in Brevard since 1955..Seen it all BIGAPE

 

[Tx]

Deano always broadcasts the launches on 88.3 WPOZ "Z88.3" which covers all of Brevard.

Tx

 

[DesiArnez6]

Deano always broadcasts the launches on 88.3 WPOZ "Z88.3" which covers all of Brevard.

Tx

Nice, their signal is strong!