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WSJS Sold????

I really don't understand why people like allnews continue to defend WSJS when it is a horrible, godawful station. The morning show is a couple of old guys lamenting about how bacon isn't what it used to be. The afternoon show has to be one of the worst drive-time programs in a top 50 mkt. in the country. The newreaders are really AWFUL. Costner is leaving. Ed Skanel, I like. Rhea is just piss poor. Smith Patterson is straight out of 1957. I hear so much about 101's "ripping and reading" but SJS isn't ANY better. Here's an EXAMPLE allnews, since you like EXAMPLES. When authorities were searching for a missing swimmer on High Rock Lake (southern Davidson County) earlier this year, SJS newsreaders called it High POINT Lake on three consecutive newscasts between 10am-noon on a weekday. This is just an EXAMPLE of how awful this news department is. Now please, allnews, PLEASE defend them, citing their stupid-ass Roy Hardy awards that no one could give a crap about. It is small-town radio and they DO NOT EXIST outside of Forsyth County. They TRY. But, look at the diaries. Please be honest about how terrible this station is. From management to "pay to play" guests (dentists, etc., withouth disclosure, mind you) on the afternoon show, to the weekend swap show, the station is indefensible.
 
ANOTHER EXAMPLE of the awful quality of WSJS news....this one goes back a few years. when panther wide-receiver Rae Carruth was arrested for murder, the newsreaders on 600/1200 called his team the CHARLOTTE panthers for several consecutive newscasts, because that's how it came over the wire and they were too stupid to figure out anything different.
 
I dunno, I hear some news/sports stations where people make mistakes and/or cough doing the same mistake and/or the same cough during the news/sportscasts for a few hours a lot of times. Like they aren't even listening to the news/sportscast when they taped it, or when it airs and they are doing some other voice work.

This problem, of course, never happens with voice tracking from out of town, because THOSE DJ's don't make mistakes. ;)
 
goatboy:
did i back it up with FACTS, homeboy?

Hardly. You said "I don't know that interviewing folks from the WS/FC Chamber of Commerce three times a week counts as talking to newsmakers," and I called you on it. And you haven't yet offered any evidence of when they did that, if ever.

If those two things you mentioned are the only times you can remember that WSJS' news has done wrong in "several years," then I would contend they're heads and shoulders above the news at TV stations and newspapers (weekly retractions there).

I can't imagine anyone there calling High Rock Lake "High Point Lake," but since you're such a credible witness, I'll just have to accept it as fact. Shame on them.

For the two thirds of your (any) audience who don't care at all about sports, you sometimes use the city name of a team as a reference, (again, since they don't care about sports, and may not even know where a team is located). Hence, Charlotte Panthers. And it's not like it's inaccurate, it's just a different way of referring to the team. A lot of reporters may not say "The Nextel Push To Connect 500 at Motorola Speedway in Where-ever" because they don't want to get into the plug game.

I wasn't defending any of the other things you mentioned. I've noticed that frequently on this board someone will comment about a specific, then they'll be attacked about that, because someone doesn't like something else about a station.

Hey, if those two old guys are pulling numbers, that's what the market wants. WSJS has better 12+ numbers than some of the 100k fm's in this market. Obviously the marketplace likes what they're doing.

Also, check the ratings on the Yard Sale. Listeners love it. That's what counts.

No defense to the pay to play. But I was talking about news, not programming.

And, if you're such a great programmer, why aren't YOU running the place? They obviously need you. Have you called to offer your services?
 
allnews:
Hate to tell you, but goatboy is right w/ the "High Point Lake" thing. I heard it, too, and purposely kept my radio tuned to SJS all afternoon in hopes that they'd catch the mistake and fix it. It took HOURS. That's more than just a slip; it's downright embarrassing for the Triad's News/Talk Leader.

cb
 
...and I can't go along w/ your defense of the Charlotte Panthers. Has anyone ever referred to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Vikings or the Boston (or even Foxboro) Patriots??? Come on, now.
 
Independent confirmation! I'll have to concede the point. There's no execuse for a mistake like that. But 'll repeat, if that's the ONLY thing you can come up with in years of reporting....

I think the Panthers reference is more of a regional thing. And in this day and age of homogenized radio, we wouldn't want to reflect our audience, would we? (BTW -- google "Charlotte Panthers" and see how many hits you get.) This one, I think, is picking at nits.
 
[EDIT]

The example isn't the only one I can recall, but it is top-of-mind and indicative of the shoddy operation at WSJS. You really continue to hurt your credibility by defending WSJS.

Hopefully, the new owners will do something better with this pitiful station.

[EDIT--personal attack.]
 
Why not take this simple test. Listen to any halfway decent N/T station in the country including WBT and WPTF. Then spend a half hour in each of the key dayparts with WSJS. You will witness what Goatboy and the others are saying. WSJS is just plain terrible. And their even worse on weekends. Whoever gets them has some serious renovating to do and last I looked WZTK beat them regularly with 25-54. How bad is that?
 
goatboy said:
[EDIT]

The example isn't the only one I can recall, but it is top-of-mind and indicative of the shoddy operation at WSJS. You really continue to hurt your credibility by defending WSJS.

Hopefully, the new owners will do something better with this pitiful station.

[EDIT--personal attack.]


Please -- hurt my credibility on a rumor and opinion board?! I'll refer you to the disclaimer at the bottom of the page! (And your past comment about farts...while I thought we were having an ADULT conversation).

To repeat, you mentioned that WSJS interviewing the Chamber of Commerce 3 times in a week wasn't real news gathering. I called you on it, saying I couldn't recall hearing a time they did that, and you couldn't back it up with the specific example. So I suspect it was just something you made up on the spot. Then I questioned some of the other instances you mentioned.

Just because I take you to task on one issue doesn't mean I'm defending EVERYTHING they do. But, from what I've seen on this board, it's all or nothing for those who discuss here.

It's very easy to sit on the beach and be critical about an operation. Maybe you could share your resume and amaze us with your successes. And again, if you're such a hotshot programmer, call 'em up and offer your services!

And to CC: I hear what you're saying. I HAVE listened to n/t all over the country. However, I've been very specific about what I'm addressing in this thread. Instead of staying on point, or conceding the point, some of the other posters have used other issues at the station to try and disprove my points. It's like asking if you saw the cat mess on the floor, and then responding that you saw the dog barf. One doesn't prove the other. And again, questioning one point doesn't mean you're defending everything.

And about those numbers: who's ahead 12+?
 
I have followed with interest the portion of this thread about the use of wire copy! Frankly, I can find nothing wrong with using the resource for which you pay a small fortune. In fact, to use AP copy to cover stories of a statewide nature, frees resources to cover local happenings - including the chamber of commerce.

The news operation that pays for the AP or any other news service, and then doesn't use it, is just not making a wise business decision. Problem with most stations is they use only wire copy.

Someone was critical of the Roy Hardee Award eariler. I was president of the NCAPB when that award was inaugrated. It was (and is) an award given to the individual who most exemplifies the contributions to the AP report established by Roy Hardee, when news director of WITN-TV in Washington. Dr. News probably voted to name the contribution award after Roy. He may have even won the award a time or two.

To understand the importance of such an award, one must understand the AP. It is an association of media and press organizations who by their association, are able to expand their coverage of the state, nation, and the world. Without the contributions of member stations and newspapers, the AP report would be pretty thin. Sure, they have some reporting staff, and they do staff some major events, but the AP relies heavily on its members for the bulk of the report.

As far as contribution to the AP report is concerned, I an sure WSJS contributes more than their fair share of stories for others to rip and read!

I am always amazed at how these threads degerate into personal attacks. Guys, it is unnecessary, and not very productive. If you have suggestions for a station or an individual, make them, but let's ease up on the personal attacks.

If you are looking for a winner in the Triad NT battle, you should look at revenue in addition to ratings. Last time I looked at the 12+ and the revenue, even though down over the last few books, WSJS was miles ahead of ZTK. The reasons are probably a starting point for another thread.
 
<applause for xtalker>

Great points. The AP wire is a resource. Unfortunately for most stations, it's the only resource they use. And, in many cases, instead of covering or generating news, many stations just rip it off from newspapers and others.

The Associated Press is a not-for-profit co-op. Members share their news, (and the cost of operating the AP) and share in the use of news from others (around the world, around the nation, around the block.) Some contribute more than others. The AP recognizes them. Roy was one of the pioneering broadcast journalists in the state, he was shooting and developing his own film (yes, FILM kids!), covering stories, and putting it on the air all by himself, way back when -- in addition to contributing the the Associated Press. He even phoned in a story tip while he was in the hospital for heart problems.

I too am amazed at how these threads degenerate into personal attacks, and the reaction when opinion (that is stated as fact) is questioned. However, if folks want to take it there, sometimes the response is in kind. Thanks for keeping us on track.
 
A-P is a great resource for those stations, which don't have a full-blown news department. But for the stations, which do have a true commitment to news, they should be doing more than just ripping-and-reading!

The Associated Press is as strong as its members. I can remember when XTalker was in Wilmington and there were news departments at stations all over North Carolina. The state had great coverage. Unfortunately now, most of the news comes out of the major markets--Triad, Triangle, Charlotte, Asheville and Wilmington. There are very few folks left in the radio news business, who contribute stories to the A-P, like Roy Hardee and myself.

XTalker was correct in saying the Roy Hardee Award is given to a person, who has gone above the call of duty to contribute more than his or her fair share to the cooperative. I won the first two Roy Hardee Awards and since then I've won it twice more. Bob Costner, who has left WSJS for News 14 has won it several times. But now, there is not that sense of drive or commitment as there once was in North Carolina radio. Also, it has been lacking for some time in the television field in the state. Seems that most T-V news directors don't push this now, which is a shame, because they fear such feeds to A-P will give something to the competition.
 
Why do I have a sneaky feeling that allnews and xtalker have worked together before.....
 
Oh well... So Guess WSJS's new owner will be announced either tomorrow or Monday about the same time ZTK goes oldies????? Hmmmmm K..... If all this does happen and ZTK goes Oldies and Curtis ends up with JSJ... I'D put ztk's AM team to PM DRIVE on SJS. Sorta what WBT did when they changed up that station a while back.

Nice way to aquaint the new boys into SJS........... don't u think??????


Now a real OUT THERE idea..... would be..... now get this.......... if Curtis also worked a deal with Hitz to go Oldies at the same time in some sorta of a pardnership thing... Yea man hot stuff here.... ZTK covers Eastern NC and Hitz covers Western NC. OUCH twin towers ALL GOOD STUFF for sure.....

How that would be a SUPER STATION!!!!!!! yea dude all good stuff u know!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a thougt.... yep it is just a thought..............

::)


Z Man
 
Well Z-Man! I had that very same thought on this board several days ago. Wouldn't it be interesting if there's some kind of joint deal? Can't imagine how they'd work it, but stranger things have happened.
 
How about this scenario.....

1. Curtis makes two purchases in the triad...WSJS/WMFR/WSML and WTHZ/WLXN.

2. WLXN is added to the simulcast of WSJS and WSML. Willie Edwards, morning man on WLXN replaces Glenn Scott. This way, they pick up a morning man with triad radio experience, and a better coverage on the south side of the triad.

3. WTHZ and WZTK simulcast an oldies format, giving them a wide area of non-shared coverage between the two stations in a format no one else is doing (or apparently wants to do).

4. WMFR gives up its better talk programs to WSJS/WLXN/WSML, and simulcasts the oldies/beach music format of Curtis' WPCM in Burlington.

5. By doing this, Curtis becomes a major competitor in the market to Clear Channel and Entercom, adding a competitive element not seen in the other major markets in this state.

Comments, anyone...is it possible?...would it work?

Later....
Matt Smith
WGSR-TV
 
Masked man sory didn't see your post have been out of town and just got in a bit ago.
Hand nice relaxing weekend... YEA all good stuff man. Oh well java time going to be a long night. Cheers.....


;D


Z Man
 
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