Crazy 'bout sports
All three stations in this market are pulling out the stops for next week's Orange Bowl. All are are sending their respective sports directors, but WNEP is topping it off with a few photogs, a producer, and for reasons unknown, Jon Meyer.
Overkill, perhaps?
I'd expect this army of coverage from the stations out in Johnstown/Altoona, where State College is, not here. Matter of fact, I don't think any station devoted this much coverage to Bucknell's surprise appearance in theFinal Four NCAA tournament earlier this year.
Still, with the fate many sports departments face in this crazy world we call television news, this market is somewhat of a rarity. Not only does sports thrive here, but sometimes the stations will even throw extra money at it.
Overkill, perhaps?
I'd expect this army of coverage from the stations out in Johnstown/Altoona, where State College is, not here. Matter of fact, I don't think any station devoted this much coverage to Bucknell's surprise appearance in the
Still, with the fate many sports departments face in this crazy world we call television news, this market is somewhat of a rarity. Not only does sports thrive here, but sometimes the stations will even throw extra money at it.
posted by Howard Beale at 10:16 AM
8 Comments:
There's money in pandering.
It's Penn State, 'nuff said. And they didn't get to do this lately so it's an extra big deal.
And to clarify another point, Bucknell didn't make the Final Four, they just won one game, albeit a remarkable upset.
WNEP is doing a special from Florida. I would assume Mr. Meyer will contribute stories to that undertaking.
Ah, you're correct. Blame it on a slip of the tounge, or keyboard.
For a game as big as the Orange Bowl, sending a news reporter ties coverage throughout a newscast. He'll likely cover fans and other quirky things. Like Philly stations sent a multitude of staff, it's a good move to send a news guy.
I wonder if there is a direct correlation between; an area that puts so much time and effort into 'mickey mouse' sports [NEPA] and an area thst has been in depression for over 40 years [NEPA].Only the Native Americans stayed depressed for that period of time, but no more,
What a waste of money... by WNEP~TV, and what a wasted opportunity by their news reporter.
After one of the most exciting Bowl Games in recent memory, and with the other news stations long signed off... all we got off the top of the newscast was a weak live report featuring video and two interviews shot before the game even began.
That video was in edited and set well before half time I am sure... not a bad gig if you can get it. Mister Meyer could have worked a little harder on this one. We had players from local high schools there, how about the parents? How about that player's fans? Don't just say those locals were proud... show me their pride... their PENN STATE pride.
And then where do we go? We see two hits from a bar in Wilkes-Barre and video from a fan's home. Whatever, the kid with the guitar was cute. Reporters often lean on that material when they run out of creative ideas. Kids and animals... as they say.
And during the sports segment, just when I thought Jim Coles would come through for us with an interview with the kicker, the quarterback, a local player "from our area", or even JoePA himself, we get an interview with.... which linebacker was it again????
If I was the manager cutting the checks, I would want to take some of that back. And I were the news boss, I would sit down and talk with the "field producer" who went along for the ride. His or her next assignment would not be any harder than going to get me coffee... from the Waterfront of course!
What a letdown. Really. I am not trying to be mean, or cause trouble, but the game was on ABC, and WNEP had a huge audience, and all we see are drunken fools dancing in the background.
Feel free to start a brand new thread with this comment, as I am interesed to hear what others think about the Bowl Coverage.
All too often WNEP is praised for their work. Why doesn't anyone call them on their weaker efforts?
You are right. The WNEP post game effort was exceptionally weak. To be fair, this must have been a logistical nightmare. We don't know how close or far the satellite truck was to the action. The video/interviews had to be shot, edited, and fed back to the station. I would guess there was very little time to do something substantial. There is no mitigation for the local efforts. They were shallow and senseless.
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