Raleigh/Durham ABC TV Programming - What do you think? (King: fit in, elementary schools)

[Emitchell]

If they think they can make money at it, they'll try it. Unfortunately, WTVD's coverage is decidedly sensationalist, deliberately dramatic and not always in the best interest of viewers. But that shouldn't be surprising, since they are not locally owned. They are owned by the network, with limited interest in the community -- just look at how many long-time local talent is still there.

It will be the same stories you see during their other newscasts, and if you consider that the majority of the copy written in the newscast (not including the reporter packages) is prepared by early 20-somethings with limited life experience, you'll see why local television news -- while entertaining -- is frequently of limited news value.

[lovebrentwood]

But you'll be heard uttering the words, "4. I'm glad I spent all the time I did complaining about TV on city-data.com!"

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

I couldn't care less what the stations put on the air - especially during the work day.

That's why God created the remote control. If you don't like what is on change the channel. Better yet, just turn the tv off and do something more productive with your life.

A long time from now (hopefully) when I lay on my death bed, I promise you I will not be heard uttering the words 1) I wish I spent more time at the office 2) I wish I spent more time in traffic 3) I wish I spent more time watching tv.

[lovebrentwood]

Oh, I'm sure it will be.

For those not familiar with local news, when there's a bus accident or something, the story goes like this:

On the TV screen, it says BREAKING NEWS. Behind Steve, the wall says BREAKING NEWS. And he says, "I'm in the BREAKING NEWS CENTER, and in BREAKING NEWS TODAY, a bus overturned in Cary. And now we'll go live to (whoever) who is at the scene covering this BREAKING NEWS."

And the screen still says, BREAKING NEWS. And the reporter somehow gets the phrase "BREAKING NEWS" into the story and says that it's an exclusive. I think they're the ones who may say, "We're the only station covering this story..." I guess people didn't know what "exclusive" meant.

I love local news, but I want to start screaming when I hear BREAKING NEWS. To me, breaking news should be limited to when they actually break into normal programming to report MAJOR stories such as natural disasters, wars, or assassinations.

Every time I hear it, I think: Their management thinks we're all stupid.

Originally Posted by ERH

I'm really surprised they're not turning it into The Steve Daniels Breaking News Hour.

[Straitlover]

Well, I don't think it could be Dr Oz. That already comes on Fox 50. I would think there was some kind of contract where you can't show the same show on competing networks??? I don't know, I'm just guessing.

So, now you can watch the local news 4:00 - 6:30 on 11, then turn to 17 at 7:00 for another hour, then turn to 22 or 50 at 10:00 for another 30 minutes. I don't think enough happens around here in a day for that much local news!

[lovebrentwood]

No, he's moving to Channel 17 (NBC) at 3 pm. It's a syndicated program, so it can be sold to any network. Syndication was the secret to big bucks for Oprah. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcast_syndication

Originally Posted by Straitlover

Well, I don't think it could be Dr Oz. That already comes on Fox 50. I would think there was some kind of contract where you can't show the same show on competing networks??? I don't know, I'm just guessing.

So, now you can watch the local news 4:00 - 6:30 on 11, then turn to 17 at 7:00 for another hour, then turn to 22 or 50 at 10:00 for another 30 minutes. I don't think enough happens around here in a day for that much local news!

[ERH]

Originally Posted by lovebrentwood

For those not familiar with local news, when there's a bus accident or something, the story goes like this:

It's a running joke in our household, so when I saw this thread, I knew I couldn't resist. I've been doing an informal study over the last several years. The percentage of BREAKING NEWS increases by 500% whenever Steve Daniels is on the air. Otherwise, the Triangle is generally pretty quiet. LOL

I think poor Steve is really jonesing for a primo position in Detroit or LA or some other market where the per capita crime rate and occurrence of BREAKING NEWS is more in line with his expectations.

Yet, I can't look away...because I'm a news junkie...and I wouldn't want to miss out on the really important BREAKING NEWS.

Maybe we should turn it into a drinking game.

[Emitchell]

Originally Posted by ERH

I think poor Steve is really jonesing for a primo position in Detroit or LA or some other market

We should get so lucky. He CAME here from LA. So we are now blessed with his unique brand of body bag infotainment. (because I certainly wouldn't call it journalism.)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by lovebrentwood

But you'll be heard uttering the words, "4. I'm glad I spent all the time I did complaining about TV on city-data.com!"

No likely. Wasting time on the internet is right up there with wasting time watching TV. That's why I am cutting back on both.

[lovebrentwood]

I think the "BREAKING NEWS" insanity is less Steve's fault and more likely the decision of the station management.

Broadcast journalists can do good jobs, but having "BREAKING NEWS" plastered over every newscast is something that must be high on management's requirements. No one in his or her right mind would do it on purpose.

I guess they (managers) are trying to differentiate their station from the others. They've succeeded in that, I think, but probably not in the way they hoped.

Originally Posted by ERH

I think poor Steve is really jonesing for a primo position in Detroit or LA or some other market /quote]

We should get so lucky. He CAME here from LA. So we are now blessed with his unique brand of body bag infotainment. (because I certainly wouldn't call it journalism.)

[underPSI]

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