T
TheLaffer
Guest
gbsncmtr said:
After i got home i turned on the TV and i thought CH.8 was doing a great job.
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Tornado Coverage
- Thread starter Media Mogul
- Start date
After i got home i turned on the TV and i thought CH.8 was doing a great job.
TheLaffer said:
Laffer,
Excellent points!
R
I am surprised that the FMs in the various clusters didn't simulcast their AM News/Talkers (where applicable) or whoever they have a TV affiliation deal with and have WTW weather.
This was a tornado during rush hour and electrical outages are prevalent, thus many had no TV information. These are times that the public service aspect should take precedence
KLUV was simulcasting CBS 11 News coverage for over an hour
This was a tornado during rush hour and electrical outages are prevalent, thus many had no TV information. These are times that the public service aspect should take precedence
KLUV was simulcasting CBS 11 News coverage for over an hour
In the past, KPLX, oddly enough, used to have the best coverage of storms on FM. I didn't listen too much to the FM side this go around. They used to do a good job of relaying warnings, taking calls, passing on info, etc. KRLD seemed to do the best this time around...it seems to have gotten back on track at least with covering severe weather. WBAP did indeed seemed to be lacking this go around...I assume they interrupted the Stars game at 8PM for EAS alerts for the warnings that were issued for the eastern side of the market?
The most surprising thing to me whenever there is a serious weather event that potentially affects a sizeable number of people (i.e. tornado warning for Tarrant or Dallas Counties Friday), is the piss poor coverage by the Spanish-language media. Watching on the TV side, KDFW/4, KXAS/5, WFAA/8, KTVT/11, and KDAF/33 all were on the air with continuous coverage. KTXA/21 continually routed people to sister KTVT since it had the Mavs games (the weeknight KTXA meterologist was on KTVT with the KTVT crew). If you are Spanish-speaking, you really get screwed if you are dependent on Univision or one of the Spanish-language clusters for breaking news coverage. KXTX/39 and KUVN/23 finally did some brief cut-ins...neither sticking with the event very long. Since KXTX is co-owned with KXAS, surely it has access to the KXAS radar and other tools to provide something more comprehensive. Novelas are popular with the Hispanic crowd, but surely their audiences would want to be informed if a tornado may be bearing down on their area.
I also wonder why the local stations don't use their full resources a little better. KXAS went back to NBC programming at 8; KDAF went to CW programming before that. WFAA, KTVT, and KDFW went much longer. For KXAS, if you went back to NBC programming, why not provide continuous local coverage on the NBC WeatherPlus channel (on KXAS-DT 41.2 and on most expanded tiers of area cable systems) it continually hypes? Most of the time when you turn that channel on, it's new age music and various radar images when it is not running pre-recorded national forecasts. At least WFAA-DT 9.2 uses the NOAA radio channel as its background audio...far more useful in a weather event to hear the full warnings, etc.
The most surprising thing to me whenever there is a serious weather event that potentially affects a sizeable number of people (i.e. tornado warning for Tarrant or Dallas Counties Friday), is the piss poor coverage by the Spanish-language media. Watching on the TV side, KDFW/4, KXAS/5, WFAA/8, KTVT/11, and KDAF/33 all were on the air with continuous coverage. KTXA/21 continually routed people to sister KTVT since it had the Mavs games (the weeknight KTXA meterologist was on KTVT with the KTVT crew). If you are Spanish-speaking, you really get screwed if you are dependent on Univision or one of the Spanish-language clusters for breaking news coverage. KXTX/39 and KUVN/23 finally did some brief cut-ins...neither sticking with the event very long. Since KXTX is co-owned with KXAS, surely it has access to the KXAS radar and other tools to provide something more comprehensive. Novelas are popular with the Hispanic crowd, but surely their audiences would want to be informed if a tornado may be bearing down on their area.
I also wonder why the local stations don't use their full resources a little better. KXAS went back to NBC programming at 8; KDAF went to CW programming before that. WFAA, KTVT, and KDFW went much longer. For KXAS, if you went back to NBC programming, why not provide continuous local coverage on the NBC WeatherPlus channel (on KXAS-DT 41.2 and on most expanded tiers of area cable systems) it continually hypes? Most of the time when you turn that channel on, it's new age music and various radar images when it is not running pre-recorded national forecasts. At least WFAA-DT 9.2 uses the NOAA radio channel as its background audio...far more useful in a weather event to hear the full warnings, etc.
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
Good points,but best reserved for the TV board I agree the Spanish stations never seem to get involved. Apparerntly its the Voice tracking,syndication virus on radio, and the skeleton crew on the televison side bowing to their respective nets. So you're right the hispanic community gets screwed,however you know "You-know- who" will come along shortly and "spin" something to say they provided coverage, when you and I know they didn't. The other reason,cost effectiveness. Lets; not forget KXAS Ch.5's idiotic NBC switcher in Florida dictating how much time they have for storm coverage ,despite a tornado in their own back yard. KLUV,I am impressed you carried 11's audio,but you should have gone with KRLD. Perhaps at the next staff meeting,that will be brought up.
KLIF did a fair job simucasting Fox 4 coverage intercepting "The Wells Report". Before the interception, there were continuous break ins by the news reporter, Terese Arena. They kept the public informed, but I would like to have heard more from the KLIF folks rather than the Fox 4 people who were speaking to a TV audience. For example, they would say " as you can see here..." and as a radio listener I am unable to see what is being shown, obviously. I did switch over to KRLD and heard some very good coverage as well. I agree that WBAP dropped the ball on this one. Very disappointing! Otherwise, I felt well informed. Good job KLIF and KRLD! 
D
DoogieDown1
Guest
Since I started paying attention to severe weather coverage on Dallas radio in the mid-to-late 90's, KRLD's Brad Barton has been spot on. So I can't say that I agree that KRLD has "gotten back on track" in that regard. It's never been off track when it comes to covering severe weather--as it happens. And no one else on the radio dial is close. In my opinion, local television has had to catch up with Barton's coverage (and I think certain TV stations have). But television (satellite, cable, etc.) often gets knocked off the air during storms.
I've attended a few civil defense skywarn schools in my life, and I think it would be a good policy for producers, jocks and anchors to be required to attend one of these schools at least every other year. It would do some GM's and PD's quite a bit of good as well.
If you've never been caught in a severe thunderstorm, it may be hard for you to understand (and you may even refuse to take this topic seriously). But if you HAVE been caught, and you've turned to KRLD's coverage to keep informed during the event, then you'll understand my listener loyalty to Barton.
And just so I don't get accused of being a shill for KRLD, frankly, I don't really listen to the station--ever--unless there's severe weather rolling through the area. And I don't like baseball... : ) Also, I've met Brad just once or twice, and I'd be surprised if he even remembers it.
But when you watch aftermath interviews with people who've been through tornados and severe straight-line wind events, and you see them struggling to catch their breath and shaking--from something that happened hours ago or even the previous day--maybe you can understand how listeners will really appreciate a radio station that provides expert, non-stop weather coverage during Spring storms.
I must confess I am unhappy about our own weather coverage that night. Essentially all we had were EAS alerts. When that tornado warning around 7:00 mentioned Mesquite was in the path, I actually felt a little helpless. “What part of Mesquite?” was the question I kept asking myself?
On Saturday, my folks said the worst of the damage in Mesquite, was concentrated over where they live, and where I live as well. I was a bit stunned after learning this, especially after my father sent me photos of damaged car ports at the apartment complex where I live. After the shock wore off, I found myself thinking we need to do better coverage ourselves. I am formulating some ideas to give to Dr. Griffin.
R
On Saturday, my folks said the worst of the damage in Mesquite, was concentrated over where they live, and where I live as well. I was a bit stunned after learning this, especially after my father sent me photos of damaged car ports at the apartment complex where I live. After the shock wore off, I found myself thinking we need to do better coverage ourselves. I am formulating some ideas to give to Dr. Griffin.
R
D
DoogieDown1
Guest
Robert... bookmark this page:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/sptrsch.html
Then check in after next Christmas and pick out an event you can attend.
You'll be glad you did...
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/sptrsch.html
Then check in after next Christmas and pick out an event you can attend.
You'll be glad you did...
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
This is a prime example of the need to HAVE A PLAN in place so you aren't flying by the seat of your pants as most everyone EXCEPT KRLD was doing.
Call a meeting. Organize what collaborative efforts can be used and when (CBS stations picking up KRLD or KTVT audio....ABC stations getting WFAA or WBAP, etc).
Decide at what point what happens. Tornado warning means this...actual funnel clouds sighted and/or damage occuring means we do this...
Plan who is to be contacted and who makes the call or when can anyone make the call if the boss' can't be reached.
In this season of weather related issues and in this area known as "tornado alley" this is a must.
It might also be a good idea to have a plan for other situations such as a 9-11, or local catastrophic event.
Make sure each person who runs a control board from the biggest star of the station down to the intern or recent hire is updated with procedure as time goes on.
Some of the problem is that stations are turning over formats, program directors and other personnel and the new people are not versed in this neccessity or unaware of the frequency of this sort of thing around here...
It's meeting time!
(feel free to cut and paste in your memo to the GM)
This is a prime example of the need to HAVE A PLAN in place so you aren't flying by the seat of your pants as most everyone EXCEPT KRLD was doing.
Call a meeting. Organize what collaborative efforts can be used and when (CBS stations picking up KRLD or KTVT audio....ABC stations getting WFAA or WBAP, etc).
Decide at what point what happens. Tornado warning means this...actual funnel clouds sighted and/or damage occuring means we do this...
Plan who is to be contacted and who makes the call or when can anyone make the call if the boss' can't be reached.
In this season of weather related issues and in this area known as "tornado alley" this is a must.
It might also be a good idea to have a plan for other situations such as a 9-11, or local catastrophic event.
Make sure each person who runs a control board from the biggest star of the station down to the intern or recent hire is updated with procedure as time goes on.
Some of the problem is that stations are turning over formats, program directors and other personnel and the new people are not versed in this neccessity or unaware of the frequency of this sort of thing around here...
It's meeting time!
(feel free to cut and paste in your memo to the GM)
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
EXCELLENT ADVICE STEVE!!!! One more thing, if you are going to outsource you news deptartment,etc. To Metro or whomever, make sure they know how to stay on top of a developing emergency as well. Make sure they are fully staff to handle it,not wire readers. Better yet News-talkers- have a full news team 24-7.
KPLEXCOMPLEX said:
Indeed. And if your budget legitimately doesn't allow for your own weather / news staff, there are free, knowledgeable and reliable sources you could partner with, when it becomes a punlic safety crises such as severe weather. HAM radio operators can be some of your best friends.
R
M
MikeShannon914
Guest
For what KRLD did, their sister "news" service Texas State Network obliterated. TSN News (heard, in this case, over KEOM Saturday afternoon; certainly not KEOM's fault for the content): Top story - What city in Texas is rated #1 in worst allergies. 2nd story - some similar, mindless, filler fluff.
If memory serves me correctly, there was an Irving cop that died Friday night, a storm that did hellacious damage over a good portion of the state and caused fatalities, and a lot of related, meaningful stories that would NORMALLY be reported by TSN. It was NOT a dead news day where allergies would be a good candidate for the top story, and the importance of these weather stories transcended 'regional interest.' What, was this a voicetracked recording from Friday morning, or do they even care to report some REAL news anymore?
If memory serves me correctly, there was an Irving cop that died Friday night, a storm that did hellacious damage over a good portion of the state and caused fatalities, and a lot of related, meaningful stories that would NORMALLY be reported by TSN. It was NOT a dead news day where allergies would be a good candidate for the top story, and the importance of these weather stories transcended 'regional interest.' What, was this a voicetracked recording from Friday morning, or do they even care to report some REAL news anymore?
It takes two things to make a station successful in emergency coverage. First, managment that will support what is needed, and the staff that will buy in to it.
I'm proud to say that when I worked in Amarillo, our station was a leader in weather coverage, even though we were not the primary EBS (yeah, that dates it) station in the market. We were the secondary, however, and consistantly beat the primary station on alerts. I had friends at NWS, and would be on the phone with them when severe weather was in the area.
We were able to get information out 5-10 minutes earlier than the other station.
Our news director was happy to allow others to help (which was unusual in that market), and we were successful. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago, and those stations are only a shell of their former selves.
Eep.
J
I'm proud to say that when I worked in Amarillo, our station was a leader in weather coverage, even though we were not the primary EBS (yeah, that dates it) station in the market. We were the secondary, however, and consistantly beat the primary station on alerts. I had friends at NWS, and would be on the phone with them when severe weather was in the area.
We were able to get information out 5-10 minutes earlier than the other station.
Our news director was happy to allow others to help (which was unusual in that market), and we were successful. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago, and those stations are only a shell of their former selves.
Eep.
J
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
Yeah full service stations are few and those that were are mentioned are in the National Broadcast museum. In this cut costs to show an image of profit,the news room is the first to go. The excuse being,if anyone wanted to know the news there are many outlets for it such as the internet. Fine and dandy to a limited degree,BUT BREAKING NEWS is often on a DELAYED basis, and severe weather moving into an area,waits for no one. If you subscribe to breaking news bulletins in your email,how long after the event did it take to reach you,much less open your email to read it? In this dark era of consolidation,mega ownership,you would think the owners would designate their stations within their clusters to pair up.
KNUS,KVIL,JACK,ETC SWITCH TO A KRLD FEED for example. KSCS,TWISTER TO WBAP( this recent case beind the sad exception)
The outsourcing has certainly helped profits perhaps,but cheated the community in getting information. When a tornado threatens,and you move to the bathroom.and interior hallway, are you also going to have time to move your TV,computer along with the family and pets so you know what is going on? How many times have we heard have a portable radio in your storm shelter,etc? It didn't say lap top or a portable tv.
The naysayers and suits will proclaim last friday was an isolated incident,and theres no need to reexamine a stations committment to news, until there's a an incident like Wichita Falls ,1979. Why wait?
KNUS,KVIL,JACK,ETC SWITCH TO A KRLD FEED for example. KSCS,TWISTER TO WBAP( this recent case beind the sad exception)
The outsourcing has certainly helped profits perhaps,but cheated the community in getting information. When a tornado threatens,and you move to the bathroom.and interior hallway, are you also going to have time to move your TV,computer along with the family and pets so you know what is going on? How many times have we heard have a portable radio in your storm shelter,etc? It didn't say lap top or a portable tv.
The naysayers and suits will proclaim last friday was an isolated incident,and theres no need to reexamine a stations committment to news, until there's a an incident like Wichita Falls ,1979. Why wait?
KPLEX...
You brought up a good example of Wichita Falls. I went to work in WF just a few weeks after the tornado hit. I was told that two of the staffers at the station I went too had never experienced tornados and got the hell out of town.
I did have the chance to hear firsthand stories about how the media in WF covered the tornado. First, there was only one station that had a generator, that was KWFT - 620 (now licensed to Plano). Right after the storm hit, they were out on the streets describing some of the massive destruction. There was also tape running at the station I went to work for (an FM country outlet, still there), which was only a few blocks away from the tornado. In that tape, I could hear the announcer say that the tornado had touched down near the mall, and to take immediate cover. There is a shout in the back ground, and then you can hear lots of screaming as the station is evacuated, then silence, as the power went off.
I saw the films from KAUZ-6, where the station opened up the doors in the studio (on a hilltop ) and had a clear view of the tornado as it passed well to the north of the station.
KWFT remained on the air, using their generator, and around midnight that night, KLUR FM got back on the air, using the KAUZ generator, which had enough power to fire the exciter. That was it. I was told it took 3 days to get KNIN-990 (now in Farmersville) back on the air, and another week for the AM on 1290. The KLUR crew worked out of the transmitter building, working mostly with Channel 6, feeding information from their news team.
I also got to see some of the films that were shot that never made it to air. One was a film of a young lady emerging from what was left of her home.... The tornado had completely ripped every piece of clothing from her body. She emerged with bruises and a few cuts.... and she was a cousin of a girl I had dated in Amarillo. I was able to get that film and give it to her to do with what she wished.
I learned alot about how important radio was in a disaster. Lessons that some of the newcomers desparately need to learn.
J
You brought up a good example of Wichita Falls. I went to work in WF just a few weeks after the tornado hit. I was told that two of the staffers at the station I went too had never experienced tornados and got the hell out of town.
I did have the chance to hear firsthand stories about how the media in WF covered the tornado. First, there was only one station that had a generator, that was KWFT - 620 (now licensed to Plano). Right after the storm hit, they were out on the streets describing some of the massive destruction. There was also tape running at the station I went to work for (an FM country outlet, still there), which was only a few blocks away from the tornado. In that tape, I could hear the announcer say that the tornado had touched down near the mall, and to take immediate cover. There is a shout in the back ground, and then you can hear lots of screaming as the station is evacuated, then silence, as the power went off.
I saw the films from KAUZ-6, where the station opened up the doors in the studio (on a hilltop ) and had a clear view of the tornado as it passed well to the north of the station.
KWFT remained on the air, using their generator, and around midnight that night, KLUR FM got back on the air, using the KAUZ generator, which had enough power to fire the exciter. That was it. I was told it took 3 days to get KNIN-990 (now in Farmersville) back on the air, and another week for the AM on 1290. The KLUR crew worked out of the transmitter building, working mostly with Channel 6, feeding information from their news team.
I also got to see some of the films that were shot that never made it to air. One was a film of a young lady emerging from what was left of her home.... The tornado had completely ripped every piece of clothing from her body. She emerged with bruises and a few cuts.... and she was a cousin of a girl I had dated in Amarillo. I was able to get that film and give it to her to do with what she wished.
I learned alot about how important radio was in a disaster. Lessons that some of the newcomers desparately need to learn.
J
KPLEXCOMPLEX said:
G
gpzyzyzf
Guest
Ummm....I don't want to be a stick in the mud....but what was everyone listening to Friday night? I agree that KRLD did a fine job on the storm coverage, but WBAP aired all the EAS warnings....had extra coverage from the Weather Channel person and also had McCauley from WFAA on. In addition, I also heard real people who were in the path of the storm giving their reports from out in the area. Finally, I head Ellie Hogue and Jim Ryan BOTH on the station. Now, could it have been better to not have any of the syndicated programming...and go wtw like KRLD (who hit a home run in their coverage) but I wouldn't say they struck out and should have their license revoked (as many seem to think would be a good thing)
Weclome aboard, gpzyzyzf.
I was at home during the storm outbreak, and got most of my wx information on TV, so I'm not an authoritative souce. For me, WBAP was always the station to turn to for severe weather information. Knowing that a tornado was on the ground in WBAP's city of license I would expect that they would have wtw coverage, not some loud-mouth boorish idiot from NYC on the air. EAS warnings or not, what if I tuned in outside the EAS broadcasts? On KRLD, I would have found good information. On 'BAP, I would have had more of Levin's vendetta against all things not neo-conservative.
KRLD sounds like it hit it out of the park. Smarter minds than I will have to decide WBAP's fate on this board Overall, though, with the exception of KRLD, it sounds like Steve's memo to the GM should be required reading at every station, and more than a few folks should be taken out to the woodshed for failure to broadcast in the public interest.
I was at home during the storm outbreak, and got most of my wx information on TV, so I'm not an authoritative souce. For me, WBAP was always the station to turn to for severe weather information. Knowing that a tornado was on the ground in WBAP's city of license I would expect that they would have wtw coverage, not some loud-mouth boorish idiot from NYC on the air. EAS warnings or not, what if I tuned in outside the EAS broadcasts? On KRLD, I would have found good information. On 'BAP, I would have had more of Levin's vendetta against all things not neo-conservative.
KRLD sounds like it hit it out of the park. Smarter minds than I will have to decide WBAP's fate on this board
Overall, though, with the exception of KRLD, it sounds like Steve's memo to the GM should be required reading at every station, and more than a few folks should be taken out to the woodshed for failure to broadcast in the public interest.I lifted Steve's list of suggestions as is, and added a couple more ideas to it. I then gave it to the powers that be. Unfortunately the initial response is shockingly hesitant to do anything. The first question thrown at me was "Where does Steve Eberhart work?" Unbelieveable!
Hopefully this will sink in quickly, and a plan will be formulated, because right now it seems like we're following the lead of all the other good stations that have gone bad. I am stunned...
R
Hopefully this will sink in quickly, and a plan will be formulated, because right now it seems like we're following the lead of all the other good stations that have gone bad.
I am stunned...R
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
WBAP was sporadic at best ,and they are required to send out the eas to the region. Not much coverage at all,when it came down to it and its a shame Ellie,Steve are tremendous talents and should have been used more. I just can't believe Tyler Cox allowed this to happen. I am betting he will never allow it to happen again.
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