Where Was The Radio Coverage Of The Power Outages?

[MacOConnor]

We were part of the 260,000 DFW customers without power. Our power was out for 3 1/2 hours Wednesday night and went down again this morning. Wednesday night I attepted to receive information from radio concerning the outages several times in the 9PM, 10PM and 11PM hours. There was none. The two news and information stations were running out-of-town programming. I heard one local traffic report for my trouble. And another storm was approaching.

Fortunately, I could reveive weather radar via smartphone and could hook up a 27 year-old black and white portable TV to the car power to get the 10PM news just two days before the digital transition. But broadcast radio was useless. I will now pursue getting a digital converter box to use with that old TV if the situation occurs again.

I am disappointed that the Big 2 did not respond with local coverage during a power outage that affected 15% of their constituents (260,000 power customes = approx. 750,000 people).

 

[donicus]

I know KRLD was running non stop coverage until after 8 pm. I can't say after that, because I finally made it home.

 

[LibertyNT]

KRLD Was running excellent coverage until the storms passed.
And on the other side...
Half the AM stations were knocked out by the storm. Along with 2 FM
Stations. My Power was out Until about 10:30 PM and hasn't died since.

 

[Texas Gentleman]

This is the reality of radio today. Revelance, public interest, and information have all been put on the back burners to appease the corporate bean counters. In fact, it is doubtful that any of them have ever read the FCC requirements for licensing. However, with all the government cut-backs, they do not have the manpower to do their job either. Those who suffer........the public. Maybe someday broadcasting wil become revelant and necessary again. Greed reigns supreme!

 

[Lancer]

KRLD delivered as usual, Brad Barton is always where I listen for storm coverage since WBAP is usually MIA.

 

[Bob E. Nelson]

KRLD delivered as usual, Brad Barton is always where I listen for storm coverage since WBAP is usually MIA.

Brad Barton is peerless -- and is a treasure that I hope KRLD recognizes. Back in the 80's, he was an outstanding AM drive news anchor (when KRLD was all news). Nowadays, Brad's coverage of weather is unsurpassed in the Dallas/Ft. Worth market.

I ordinarily listen to WBAP but during severe weather, KRLD trumps them all. The only positive thing I can say about WBAP (as they continued to carry sat-delivered programming during the storms) is that we get to hear Jimmy Stewart's voice for the EAS break-ins).

 

[donicus]

I ALWAYS listen to KRLD when the weather is going south. Nobody can beat Brad Barton!

 

[MacOConnor]

I ALWAYS listen to KRLD when the weather is going south. Nobody can beat Brad Barton!

I am in agreement concerning Brad Barton's fine coverage.

My issue was the lack of coverage of the power outages when radio was all we had while sitting in the dark.

The storm hit our house at 6:45PM but the power didn't go out until 8:15PM which was apparently after their special coverage ended. Then at 10PM local TV stated 260,000 customers were affected. Post-storm damage coverage was absent on radio Wednesday night.

 

[arnoldevns]

KRLD was not "non-stop" as some have said. They ran EVERY commercial on their schedule last night.
Aside from that, they had nothing but weather coverage and it was quite good.

 

[NealH]

I dunno, live, local, late-breaking coverage is a lot to ask from the minimum-wage button monkey who's never cracked a mic and whose only responsibility is making sure the automation system doesn't crash.

 

[scrtr84]

KRLD was not "non-stop" as some have said. They ran EVERY commercial on their schedule last night.
Aside from that, they had nothing but weather coverage and it was quite good.

It's very painful to hear any broadcast station, be it radio or TV, takes commercial breaks during severe weather coverage. I commend Brad for his coverage, but KRLD gets a thumbs down from me this time, simply because they kept the commercials. I'm sure it wasn't Brad's call to keep the spots rolling, and I would not be the least bit surprised if he got flustered by having to sit through the ads.

 

[cowboyup]

KRLD was not "non-stop" as some have said. They ran EVERY commercial on their schedule last night.
Aside from that, they had nothing but weather coverage and it was quite good.

It's very painful to hear any broadcast station, be it radio or TV, takes commercial breaks during severe weather coverage. I commend Brad for his coverage, but KRLD gets a thumbs down from me this time, simply because they kept the commercials. I'm sure it wasn't Brad's call to keep the spots rolling, and I would not be the least bit surprised if he got flustered by having to sit through the ads.

So much here. I was in the room and Brad never once remarked about the commercials and anybody who knows Brad, knows if he doesn't like the situation he will let you know. No one is mentioning that KRLD skipped both sports reports, both business reports, the Kaite Couric notebook, and the other side of the news from 6-8 to make sure they got additional weather coverage. So fine they aired the commercials...longest break was 3 minutes and by my count that only happened once. Most breaks were 2 minutes max and some where only 1...anybody ever think the 6 reporters, news director, two anchors, producer and board op needed a chance to regroup.

 

[scrtr84]

That's a lame excuse.

For example, Fox4 was wall-to-wall with coverage, with zero commercial breaks, during the same three hour period. I watched all of it, too.

There is no excuse for breaking away from storm coverage to air any commercials. Even one commercial is one too many. This is a matter of public safety, which is further, MUCH further up the priority list than making a few bucks.

If Fox4 can do it, KRLD can too.

 

[Nik]

Neighborhood power outages are not really big news stories. Guess you'll find out when you get there, huh? And there is nothing wrong with any media outlet taking breaks, no matter what they are covering.

 

[board monkey]

Stations are only required to alert the public for Amber alerts and imminent danger situations(Tornadoes, hurricanes, ect.) Power outtages are TXU's responsibility. I've been told by more then one PD that this is the case. If you dont like what local radio does then go buy a "weather radio" from radio shack and get your info from that. That's all beside the point that you SHOULD have an emergency radio that runs off batteries just in case your power goes out. Dont bltch to me because you're unprepared. Lame. :

Having been in the middle of situations like this in the studio a break is needed by EVERYONE at some point. After hour upon hour of all that info goin out you have to reset and then carry on. Refill coffee, bathroom break, stretch, fresh air, take the headphones off, and then get back to business. Some of you posting that the need of a break in those situations is unnecessary must have never worked in news radio. Even when 9-11 hit stations took breaks to gather more info and then come back to giving you live coverage.

This just proves the old addage: you can make some of the people happy all of the time and all the people happy some of the time, but you cant make all the people happy all the time.

 

[BBontheRadio]

This just proves the old addage: you can make some of the people happy all of the time and all the people happy some of the time, but you cant make all the people happy all the time.

Yep, and people here on this board especially will always find something to bitch about, guaranteed.

 

[scrtr84]

Having been in the middle of situations like this in the studio a break is needed by EVERYONE at some point. After hour upon hour of all that info goin out you have to reset and then carry on. Refill coffee, bathroom break, stretch, fresh air, take the headphones off, and then get back to business. Some of you posting that the need of a break in those situations is unnecessary must have never worked in news radio. Even when 9-11 hit stations took breaks to gather more info and then come back to giving you live coverage.

There is a huge difference between station personel taking a break, and station's running commercials. If someone needs a break, then rotate that person out for a bit and replace it with someone else. I can understand all that with no problem whatsoever. But taking a "commercial break" just to keep the profit rolling in, is shameful. It's not often we need to provide continuous storm coverage. But when the time arises, 100% of the attention should go towards covering the severe situation at hand. Fox4 did it, so there's no reason why KRLD couldn't.

I can't believe we have posters here making such lame excuses. Perhaps you haven't been in the business long enough! If that doesn't make sense to you, then maybe this will: Your location is hit by a tornado, but you didn't hear the warning issued because the station took a stupid commercial break.

 

[cowboyup]

As posted I was in the building and everybody was told be ready at a seconds notice if something MAJOR happens during a commerical break. Anchors NEVER left their post, board op never left the room, producer was taking in calls left and right and KRLD was ready to go to on the air during every commercial break if something needed to be reported. All were instructed that cutting out of a commercial break is a possibility. Fine Fox 4 can do it. Why are you comparing a tv station to a radio station anyway?

If the station doesn't earn a few $ how do you think CBS should pay all those employees risking their life?

 

[outlaw2448]

I lost power about 8pm last night when the storm went through. And if it wasn't for 88.1 fm we probably wouldn't have had coverage from channel 8 during the storm.

My power was out till at least a couple of hours ago today.

 

[board monkey]

Having been in the middle of situations like this in the studio a break is needed by EVERYONE at some point. After hour upon hour of all that info goin out you have to reset and then carry on. Refill coffee, bathroom break, stretch, fresh air, take the headphones off, and then get back to business. Some of you posting that the need of a break in those situations is unnecessary must have never worked in news radio. Even when 9-11 hit stations took breaks to gather more info and then come back to giving you live coverage.

There is a huge difference between station personel taking a break, and station's running commercials. If someone needs a break, then rotate that person out for a bit and replace it with someone else. I can understand all that with no problem whatsoever. But taking a "commercial break" just to keep the profit rolling in, is shameful. It's not often we need to provide continuous storm coverage. But when the time arises, 100% of the attention should go towards covering the severe situation at hand. Fox4 did it, so there's no reason why KRLD couldn't.

I can't believe we have posters here making such lame excuses. Perhaps you haven't been in the business long enough! If that doesn't make sense to you, then maybe this will: Your location is hit by a tornado, but you didn't hear the warning issued because the station took a stupid commercial break.

I think your showing your inexperience here. When situations arise such as this and the weather goes south the crew on hand is all there is. You have a board op, on air anchor, phone screener/producer, weather man, traffic(possibly from a service, not in house, like metro is) and if your lucky a back up producer some where (not likely though). Tell me who is gonna do someone else's job?(rhetorical) WHO?(again rhetorical) Your looking at 3 maybe 4 people sometimes when this stuff hits the fan. The call screener isn't gonna run the board. The anchor isn't gonna screen calls. The producer isn't gonna be able to produce, screen calls and run the board. The on air talent isn't gonna run the board, screen calls, or do producer stuff. WE ARE ALL BUSY. There is no way to rotate anyone in or out. Sometimes IF, and I say IF, your lucky additional people will come in at a moments notice, but in weather like we had who is gonna drive on the highways to the station when they themselves are at the very same risk we trying to alert people to?(rhetorical) You do remember that companies have been downsizing and cutting jobs. So skeleton crews are a must and PD's and Ops managers expect their cast to be self sufficient. No matter how small they may be.

I will add this sctr, if you have never worked in this business you have no room to comment on what goes on inside radio doors because you have never been there done that. If you have, you must work in the music side of the business or promotions.