Questions/Outrage About CT Sports Polls (New Haven, Hartford: transplants, gated, trip)

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Milford gets both CT and NY stations. Most people east of Bridgeport watch the CT stations but even in the Valley, NY's ABC is channel 8, NBC is 4 and CBS is 3. The CT stations are on higher channels. I know my family in Oxford and Shelton watch mostly NY stations - not by choice, but because it's on the more watched channels.

I do agree that WTNH has a specific agenda and it's very obvious. I can see why though - even lower Fairfield County is about halfway between New Haven and NYC.

That said, NYC stations do give CT's daily news - just not as in-depth as CT stations but that's because NYC covers a much wider area. Even Long Island and New Jersey have their own, more local news.

My point was only the absurdity of trying to fight the changing demographic reality of things in most of Connecticut. Southern Connecticut (Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London Counties) are now much more part of the Long Island - NYC circle than they ever will be part of the Boston. It’s just a demographic fact….that becomes even more so with each passing day. I agree that Channel 8 give’s more time to the NY teams than the stations up in northern CT…., but it still seems that it’s not enough given how close NYC is and how far Boston is.

Still - LIN Communications foolish manifesto is just another failing attempt to stop the inevitable - the domination of much of the southern Connecticut market by NYC. I have even heard that Parish Communications (NJ based) is looking to buy out LIN in New Haven. So we’ll see how much Red Sox’s news Channel 8 has after that ? (lol).

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by wavehunter007

Still - LIN Communications foolish manifesto is just another failing attempt to stop the inevitable - the domination of much of the southern Connecticut market by NYC. I have even heard that Parish Communications (NJ based) is looking to buy out LIN in New Haven. So we’ll see how much Red Sox’s news Channel 8 has after that ? (lol).

I've never understood this station. It's based in New Haven(VIT, FSB, are in Hartford), and provides the least amount of FF County news of any Ct. station.

For those of us who don't care about NY(and there are many of us), our only option is to subscribe to Cablevision to get News 12 for FF County coverage.

I understand(past experience with a satellite dish) that the FCC considers us to be NY metro, thereby excluding TNH from being our local ABC affiliate. It seems though as if TNH views this as a STOP sign when it comes to reporting on stories west of Milford. It's like TNH thinks the FCC is telling them that they can't report a story down here. Dumb station. I can only imagine the ad revenue that they could've had over the years from Fairfield County business'.

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

I posted that link a while back. Since then, Quinnipiac University has done two more polls. The most recent one, for some reason, was conducted near the mid-point of the season when BOS was in first place. This survey, which also included several political questions, showed Connecticut had switched allegiances (43% BOS; 42% NYY: 2% margin of error).

I am very suspect to its findings since 1) it did include other questions in the poll and 2) the date changed from the first week of May to the end of June. The findings of prior years' polls could be compared to each other for this reason; this one can't.

I agree with the bandwagon theory as well which is common in all sports.

Rich....what's your view on this?
Do you agree with me that CT is NY based in FF/Litchfield/and New Haven County....50/50 in Hartford....and only Boston majority in Tolland/Windham/New London...yet even then NOT to the extent FF is with NY?

If you were to gauge CT in terms of sports and market loyalty BOTH overall and by county/region...what would you say?

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by wavehunter007

One of the things many people forget is that Boston (New England) is really a small market compared to big American metros like NYC, LA, Chicago…etc. Because of this - Boston sports teams and Boston media (print, TV, radio.. etc.), market much more aggressively in CT (which they consider vital to survival) than do market interests in the massive NYC market. In other words….. NYC is so big, creates so much of its own heat and energy (Worldwide), it could care less about what sports teams, media, or news people in CT follow. This is not to say, the NYC area news and TV don’t cover southern Connecticut news - it’s just not life or death to them - as it is to the small Boston market. Metro Boston is an area of about 7 million people….metro NYC is an area of 22 million people. Once you get north of Connecticut (3.5 million)…… all the other states to the north have a small population (about 1.5 million or less), with the exception of Massachusetts itself (5.8 million). In terms of market share – Boston teams and media are a mouse next to a 50-foot giant. NYC is the largest metropolitan area on the North American Continent…not exactly the place to be if you’re the competition (lol).

I also agree that maps and polls are not always accurate. I take myself for example. Living in the New London county area, I follow New York sports team (not a really big sports fan) have been to Giants Stadium, Shea Stadium, Madison Square Garden, I attend NYC events, even belong to a NYC/Long Island surfing foundation……yet I have only been to Boston a few times in my life. Most of my family live in New Haven County and follow NYC news and sports teams. In fact, my father at 79, has actually never even been to Boston – only Cape Cod.

My point is that I think Boston sports teams, media, even commercial interests have to market themselves s much, much harder to survive than the NYC area. A final testament to this is LIN COMMUNTIONS in New Haven (WTNH – 8).

LIN is a Boston/Providence based TV/Communications company. I have been told by two different people that have worked at Channel 8 offices – that there is a intense and directed attempt by Channel 8 to stamp out anything having to do with the NYC area (news, sports, events) and hype up anything Boston related (this coming from headquarters up north). Channel 8 only reports on NYC sports teams because of the obvious absurdity of not doing so, but they draw the line there. They refuse to show anything having to do with the NYC area, even though southern Connecticut is far more connected to the NYC area then it ever will be to Boston 150 miles to the north.

As I have pointed out before…look at the silly position of the weather map – Long Island (only 15 miles away) is almost off the screen. While the map shows Vermont (160 miles from New Haven and most of southern CT), as if it’s closer to WTNH. Please someone tell Geoff Fox he would/t look so silly all the time with the map of Connecticut down near his knees if they centered it. Of course they can’t do that because it will show more of the NYC area and less of Boston (New England).

It’s guerrilla-marketing people, pure and simple. You don’t root for the baseball team you choose .…you root for the team they MARKET TOWARD YOU. You think Jim Calhoune twangy New England accent is an accident (the calmmm-caaast-tripply-play)?

Fight the power….or in this case….. the marketing!

Dude...that is SOOOOO messed up.
What gives them the right to artifically manufactere a base/loyalty that is not their's to produce?

I really get annoyed when I hear "New England's favorite team" because CT is part of New England...and is much more...aside from far East CT...NY based over Boston.

The climate, landscape, and culture in Southern/Western...into Central CT is Tri-State over Puritan Mass.

Just because Boston is smaller than NY doesn't mean they should encroach on NY's rightful territory...that's Boston's own problem.

Looking at the US demographics...Boston is the 8th largest metro region...which is not small market by any means.
The town itself doesn't have much sq miles...but that it typical of New England towns...so Boston doesn't have much to complain about...they are very self sustainable without having to steal from NY's CT regions.

My Question
Are CTers gullable enough to fall for Boston's Fox News like propoganda in Souther/Western CT or are they going to stay loyal to NY and laugh at the 150 mile away outsider?

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by shwee

Wrong... People in Milford get New Haven and Hartford stations, which primarily cover the Boston teams and watch the BoSox on NESN. By the way, I'm a huge Yankees fan and hate the BoSox to no end. Don't hate the messenger.

OK...I am going to ask...is Milford and New Haven County like FF...NY based loyalty with a little more Boston...because I have been to Milford and that is tri state NY territory...heck they even cover I-95 on 880 and 1010 through New Haven...and get NY stations.

I have been and say it is...but Rich and others familiar...please answer.

[trustmeiknow]

I live in New Haven county and I can tell you it's really 50% Yankees fans and 50% Red Sox fans, or close to that. There are some Mets fans here and there but the other two teams are definitely the majority. When I go to Stop & Shop, for example, I will see a pretty equal number of people with Yankees hats and Red Sox hats on. I see a lot of Yankees decorations on cars and same for Red Sox. I would say Wallingford is the line in between because Meriden seems more Red Sox-oriented and North Haven more Yankees-oriented. Let the record show I'm a Yankees fan.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by bluecountry

OK...I am going to ask...is Milford and New Haven County like FF...NY based loyalty with a little more Boston...because I have been to Milford and that is tri state NY territory...heck they even cover I-95 on 880 and 1010 through New Haven...and get NY stations.

I have been and say it is...but Rich and others familiar...please answer.

The New York /Boston turf war has been going on for a long time. However, as far as radio stations I can tell you this………

The New York area radio stations are definitely kicking Boston’s butt in that department – at least here is southeastern CT. There are a ton of Long Island radio stations that we get loud and clear here in coastal south central/southeast CT. They even give weather conditions and ferry times in New Haven and New London. As far as 880 AM – they are now covering all of Fairfield, New Haven, and even Middlesex (when there’s a large accident or slow down) counties when they give traffic reports. I love 880 when I’m heading into New Haven - NY – it’s a great info station.

As far as the 50/50 Yankees / Red Sox fans………I don’t know about that in southern Connecticut. When I think about family, friends, co-workers, grocery store conversations – it seems more like 75 % are Yankee fans. To me, the four southern CT counties…….are fully part of the NYC metro area.

You might even be able to make the case that part of Litchfield leans toward NY. Outsiders tend to think that Litchfield is the most “New England” part of Connecticut. I say this in no disrespect…but truth be told – many of the folks up there are retired NY millionaires, or people with 2nd (or 3rd) homes that live in the city. If your moving here and are expecting some crusty, flannel-clad, New England old timers in the town center….you may be disappointed when some baby-boomer gets out of his Range-Rover wearing preppy clothes and an $800 watch.

Ahh Connecticut…………8 counties in search of a state (lol).

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by trustmeiknow

I live in New Haven county and I can tell you it's really 50% Yankees fans and 50% Red Sox fans, or close to that. There are some Mets fans here and there but the other two teams are definitely the majority. When I go to Stop & Shop, for example, I will see a pretty equal number of people with Yankees hats and Red Sox hats on. I see a lot of Yankees decorations on cars and same for Red Sox. I would say Wallingford is the line in between because Meriden seems more Red Sox-oriented and North Haven more Yankees-oriented. Let the record show I'm a Yankees fan.

Well that is interesting.

North Haven is more like part of Greater New Haven...while Meriden is I suppose part of Greater Hartford.
I can see Hartford having a SLIGHT edge to Boston...but I can not see New Haven and points along the sound West of the CT river being that way.
Even in Meriden...it still is closer to New York.


Let me ask

1) Why would people root for a team which is harder to get to and overall, has less in common by culture and climate?
-I just don't see HOW it could be 50/50....Milford would seem to have no more Red Sox fans than FF County...nor would Orange/West Haven/Derby/Waterbury.
-To me...given how LARGE NY is relative to Boston, How much CLOSER NY is than Boston to New Haven County, How much More alike by climate, culture, and landscape...WHY would Boston have more than 1/3 much less split or greater?
-Why...it defies ALL Common Sense.


2) Has it always been this way...or ONLY in recent years did the Red Sox blossum...thus more a "bandwagon" effect?
-I suspect CT is like NYC...which can shift from one to another, Yanks/Mets if the Mets began winning.


3) What about Eastern New Haven County....Madison?

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by wavehunter007

as far as radio stations I can tell you this………

The New York area radio stations are definitely kicking Boston’s butt in that department – at least here is southeastern CT. There are a ton of Long Island radio stations that we get loud and clear here in coastal south central/southeast CT. They even give weather conditions and ferry times in New Haven and New London. As far as 880 AM – they are now covering all of Fairfield, New Haven, and even Middlesex (when there’s a large accident or slow down) counties when they give traffic reports. I love 880 when I’m heading into New Haven - NY – it’s a great info station.

Boston radio stations are NON existent in CT past Tolland County....880 ALWAYS covers traffic through New Haven to I-91.

Why? Because people commute from FF County and New Haven to NH County....and thus identify with the New York tri state region.
Why would they be Red Sox fans?
To me...the Red Sox have SOME NERVE bringing the WS trophy and airing games there...that is NY's territory.

As far as the 50/50 Yankees / Red Sox fans………I don’t know about that in southern Connecticut. When I think about family, friends, co-workers, grocery store conversations – it seems more like 75 % are Yankee fans. To me, the four southern CT counties…….are fully part of the NYC metro area.

Exactly.
To me...FF County is all New York...the Boston fans are no more prominent than in NJ...they would be rooting for the Sox moreso out of dislike for the Yankees or due to them being a popular national team...like the Braves.

New Haven County I see as being New York too...I mean the Giants played at the Yale Bowl!
Compare the landscape of New Haven to that of Boston...and you see it has no business being part of their base.
I'd say New Haven County is 75%...with the majority of those Sox being North near Hartford County.

You might even be able to make the case that part of Litchfield leans toward NY. Outsiders tend to think that Litchfield is the most “New England” part of Connecticut. I say this in no disrespect…but truth be told – many of the folks up there are retired NY millionaires, or people with 2nd (or 3rd) homes that live in the city. If your moving here and are expecting some crusty, flannel-clad, New England old timers in the town center….you may be disappointed when some baby-boomer gets out of his Range-Rover wearing preppy clothes and an $800 watch.

Nevermind the retired transplants...Litchfield County BORDERS New York...and is much closer to New York City than Boston.
It is comparable to New York state there...why would it go to Boston which is further?
Why?
Explain...it makes NO sense.

I really get peeved at this notion "everybody in New England identifies with Boston" when CT is part of the NY tri state region and is economically tied much more there as opposed to Boston and Mass.

[bluecountry]

WaveHunter...I'll ask here to not confuse


1) Don't you think the Red Sox increase in hats is just switchovers from the Mets/Yankee haters/Bandwagoners?

2) What would you say the split is for
-Danbury
-Waterbury
-Madison
-Old Saybrook
-Hartford?

I've heard people say Danbury has a big Sox presence...BALONEY I say...it BORDERS NY and part of FF County.
It is 80 miles to NY...many more to Boston...WHY would it go for Boston...because they are part of New England?

I've also heard that Waterbury is for Boston...again it is closer to New York.

Same argument for Madison and Old Saybrook.

Yes...let's root for a team in Boston that is twice as far...and whose radio, tv stations we do not get...because we are CT a NE state.