WHAM drops the (snow)ball

[watchdogg]

It had been a few years since a.) I was awake a listening to the radio at 5 a.m. and b.) I had listened to the WHAM morning show. Well, both happened today (due mostly to the weather, I decided to tune in WHAM).

Following a "news story" about a classic comic-book sale, generally pointless Winter Olympics results and lottery numbers, WHAM finally got around to school closings at 5:16 a.m. After reading the initial list, an updated list was promised to follow the 5:30 news. At around 5:21 a.m., school closings were promised in "a couple minutes." That was a long "couple minutes," as school closings were next read at about 5:46 a.m.

In between, concerning the worst storm of the year (albeit a a mild one so far and today's storm bit overhyped), listeners were also informed that "plows are out" (well, duh!) and that commuters should allow twice the normal time (which didn't seem to be based on much real information).

Listeners were also frequently invited to check the WHAM Web site -- reminding me of the D&C's bumbling a few years back when it informed readers that certain content was no longer printed because it's accessible online (and then the D&C wondered where all its subscribers went). At least WHAM should know why its listeners stopped listening.

 

[heydaybegone]

At least WHAM should know why its listeners stopped listening

Ok, sorry..gotta....

35 minutes to school closing lists!!...you can only tease so long with "important" information

(mind you - I am not an eyewitness to confirm said statement- put the gun away)

 

[Savage]

On The New FM Talk 92.1 and NewsPower 1040, we did our first school closing roundup at 4:55am as the first closings started coming in - then updated 'em ON THE RADIO (I know, old-school) six times hourly through 8am.

 

[therealjm12]

I don't know if it makes any difference, but Beth was off today.
When I went to their website, around 5:15 am there was no listings under school closings. When I went to WHAM-TV page, there was the same page with an updated & complete list.

 

[whtwtrdood]

I believe using the media to announce school closings is becoming increasingly out-dated. The public school our daughter goes to has an automatic dialer and email system. Our phone rang this AM at 5:30AM with the message school was closed today due to weather. The same message was waiting for me when I checked my email after breakfast and actually arrived before the phone call.

 

[aaronread]

Heck, getting the weather from broadcast media is practically anachronistic these days. That's what the series of tubes is for.

Ditto for school closings; that's why we don't air them. Well, it'd also take a lot longer than a standard NPR-Morning Edition break would allow for.

 

[Element9]

Phone trees, email blasts, tweets, txt mssgs, television crawls, check our website. Could it be that school closings and cancellations on the radio have gone the way of eight tracks and 45 rpm records?

 

[watchdogg]

Phone trees, email blasts, tweets, txt mssgs, television crawls, check our website. Could it be that school closings and cancellations on the radio have gone the way of eight tracks and 45 rpm records?

I do not disagree with Element9, aaronread and others who suggest that school closings on the radio might be 'old fashioned.' But, understand my main point: As a listener, I still need a reason to continue listening. A self-described "news leader" radio station needs to offer more than fluff news, Winter Olympics results and lottery numbers (each also available online), if I am to continue listening.

Back to my D&C analogy: The D&C no longer runs stock and mutual fund tables because prices are readily available online. So, even though I enjoyed leisurely perusing them in my morning newspaper, I now check stock prices online. What did the D&C provide in return? A smaller paper (leading to fewer subscribers).

So, yes, school closings might more efficiently arrive via text message, voicemail, e-mail and websites. But, if that's the case, WHAM needs to think hard about what it's going to provide in return.

 

[dustintv]

Which is sad because usually I find WHAM AM does do a good job on reporting weather. Not as great as WBEN down the road, but still above average. I commend Mr. Savage at WYSL for doing a wonderful job as well at updating and keeping listeners informed.

 

[Dave Beck]

On WBEE, I started with closings at 4:30 Friday morning.

Big Daddy

 

[umtrr-author]

I believe using the media to announce school closings is becoming increasingly out-dated. The public school our daughter goes to has an automatic dialer and email system. Our phone rang this AM at 5:30AM with the message school was closed today due to weather.

Same here. Our school district has been going to robocalls and e-mails since around the middle of last year.

I do not disagree with Element9, aaronread and others who suggest that school closings on the radio might be 'old fashioned.' But, understand my main point: As a listener, I still need a reason to continue listening.

Ain't that the truth. Teases and snippets from later in the day hosts I don't like not included.

 

[Mike_Saffran]

Though results from my survey of Rochester radio listeners are now a couple years old, for what it’s worth, about 1 in 4 (26%) respondents cited “school closings” as a reason they listen to the radio. That said, I suppose if I were 16 again and back at Brighton High School, I’d likely log onto the school district’s Web site first—if I hadn’t already received a text message. (Of course, back then Brighton never closed!)

 

[heydaybegone]

Of course, back then Brighton never closed!)

Having gotten older (never did grow up- ;D), in Rochester...I would concur..."back then" NONE of the schools would close...(oh did that help us build character, or what? ) ;D

 

[umtrr-author]

We're still building character... I don't think my kids' district had any snow days last year, and this was the first and perhaps only one this year.