Why are the local TV channels in Erie so cheap quality?

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by gousa14

Sorry for my uncontrollable little rant. I feel like a lonely 21 year old knowing a majority of my age are leaving the area.

Its ok I would feel the same way if I was your age and I am hoping for an Erie turnaround. I think the current development of the Bayfront area is vital to the future success of Erie. Also, maybe the continued growth of Erie Insurance and the hospitals will bring some new young people to the area and potentially lead to more businesses and nightlife in the downtown area. I think the fragmented growth in Erie has also been problematic because younger people tend to enjoy the aspects of urban living and things are pretty spread out in the Erie area.

[gousa14]

Yeah, Erie's quickly turning into a ghost town/market. Excuse me seeing the glass as half empty. I wonder if it really can be abandoned one day.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by gousa14

Yeah, Erie's quickly turning into a ghost town/market. Excuse me seeing the glass as half empty. I wonder if it really can be abandoned one day.

Erie county is actually growing slightly and it seems that many new residents are told by locals to avoid the city so that may explain some of the population loss. Some of the suburban and outlying areas have seen significant growth.

[gousa14]

Maybe I just underestimated. I happen to live in one of the more populated suburbs of Erie county. I heard that Summit had the most growth from 2000 to 2010. Congratulations, Summit.

[gousa14]

So I want to go back on this topic and get it discussing again.

As for quality of the Erie broadcast market, I meant to talk more about visual presentation ie graphics and equipment, than pure talent alone.

And, how often do these market rankings update? Erie is #152, and it's only been since September when it was ranked #149. Was it revised or something?

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by gousa14

As for quality of the Erie broadcast market, I meant to talk more about visual presentation ie graphics and equipment, than pure talent alone.

Oh, good grief. Substance will always trump style. I'd save my concern more for the quality of the reporting than the number of meaningless dancing graphics behind the reporters.

[gousa14]

Alrighty then.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by gousa14

So I want to go back on this topic and get it discussing again.

As for quality of the Erie broadcast market, I meant to talk more about visual presentation ie graphics and equipment, than pure talent alone.

And, how often do these market rankings update? Erie is #152, and it's only been since September when it was ranked #149. Was it revised or something?

In terms of your questions about the visual presentation, graphics and equipment, I am not sure how the quality compares to other comparable cities. However, I will say I have seen some pretty "cheezy" computer graphics and poor video quality from several news channels in major markets. I have even noticed that typos in the visual graphics seem to be more and more common regardless of the size of the market. I would assume if there are any specific issues in Erie it is probably due to a smaller number of staff to devote the time to developing more advanced graphics and not the quality of the equipment.

In regards to your other questions, Erie could have dropped a little because Comcast decided to stop offering WJET in certain areas of Northwestern PA pretty recently. Also, I think Nielsen makes a couple of adjustments annually. As I mentioned previously, Erie gets kind of screwed because unlike Johnstown-Altoona-State College or Duluth-Superior for example Erie does not get to include some neighboring cities like Conneaut and Ashtabula in the DMA boundaries. The Erie metro area and DMA boundaries are problematic for counting metro area population and TV viewers.

WJET-TV hoping to return to cable in Venango, McKean counties | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News

[gousa14]

Also, I took classes in visual design, so I do tend to look at that stuff.

I think it's sad that local TV broadcast is dying. Staff layoffs and cutbacks in any industry are a sure sign of things to come. It already happened to newspapers. Could I be wrong? Yes, maybe local broadcast stations do have a future, but not in it's current form.