Watch WNEP, win money
If nobody watches your newscast, what do you do? Do you...
Cover more interesting stories?
Reformat the show?
Bring in new anchors?
Pay viewers?
If you picked the last option, then you work in WNEP's promotions department. Just in time for November sweeps, viewers who tune in to WNEP's 7 p.m. show can call in and win money.
Part of me thinks "It's a sweeps thing," but another part of me thinks, "Maybe the ratings aren't what management expected?"
Either way, it's the start of sweeps, when TV stations across the nation start cranking out incredible stories. Because damnit, they really want you to watch their newscasts...so the idiots in sales can get off their backs about those damn ratings!
Those of you who concluded that I dislike the hysteria of sweeps get a gold star, and can leave class early.
If you picked the last option, then you work in WNEP's promotions department. Just in time for November sweeps, viewers who tune in to WNEP's 7 p.m. show can call in and win money.
Part of me thinks "It's a sweeps thing," but another part of me thinks, "Maybe the ratings aren't what management expected?"
Either way, it's the start of sweeps, when TV stations across the nation start cranking out incredible stories. Because damnit, they really want you to watch their newscasts...so the idiots in sales can get off their backs about those damn ratings!
Those of you who concluded that I dislike the hysteria of sweeps get a gold star, and can leave class early.
posted by Howard Beale at 8:34 PM
31 Comments:
I find it interesting that they are doing this for the 7pm show which is only up against syndicated programming from the other stations. Those ratings on the 7 must really be low.
Nothing new: cash, cars--everyone in the market has given away some sort of news incentive over the last few years. They're blatant attempts to manipulate the ratings--but complaints to Nielsen produced nothing more than an occasional disclaimer (in fine print smaller than a Nexstar talent contract) in the front of the book. No one seems to care.
Q: Does it matter if you live closer to the station? Will my call go through slower if I live farther away? It doesn't seem fair!!
Boy, people really are stupid...
Howard I am with you, this time o' year is so gimmickly for even me, the average viewer...
I remember when WYOU tried this idea back in the 90's with a wheel and some Vanna type...didn't help them much.
When I was Bart Sommers, fearless radio/tv reporter at the CV, I used to do what I could to screw up the ratings periods for radio and tv -- while remaining safely inside the law.
The columns would begin with, "Hi there, boys and girls; this is your Uncle Bart, back again..."
I'd tell readers not to be sucked in by stations that tried to buy your loyalty, stations that appeared to be giving away things that actually came from sponsors, or stations that ran big special programs only during those periods.
"Be loyal to your favorite stations and be honest with the people from the ratings company," I'd say. "Don't give in to the people who just want to use you so they can charge more for their commercials. Watch, or listen to, the stations you normally have on so the ratings will be true. If the stations were your true friends, they would not buy your loyalty."
Who can argue against loyalty and honesty? Certainly not stations that are proud to serve you, or stations that are on your side.
Certainly not.
And Merry Christmas... It's a Holiday word game nonetheless. In November?
Do you realize how many people travel to casinos to gamble? Wait til the Downs opens! And check out how many lottery tickets are sold daily. People like to take a chance on WINNING. There's an equal playing field - they GIVE the answers up front! Everyone who can dial a phone has an equal chance. I don't see anything negative about this.
The 7pm contest is a little suprising considering how the ratings for that newscast have grown over the past year. It's actually doing quite well.
This has to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of. Practically paying the viewers to watch?!?!?! I thought the New York Times didn't have enough money to do anything? Isn't that one reason why they are selling?
Sounds like some people have sour grapes here. Nothing stopping other stations from doing contests. If the powers that be are too tight to part with a few bucks for the viewers, don't complain when someone else does. Manipulation? I don't think so. How about VIEWER APPRECIATION? Maybe if other stations cared about making viewers happy, they'd have more of them.
Jeez 2:20, wonder where you work?
WYOU did give money to viewers the past few years with the viewers club thing. However I think they have stopped the practice as of late. The fact that they did it at all was surprising since Nexstar is so tight with money
"How about VIEWER APPRECIATION? Maybe if other stations cared about making viewers happy, they'd have more of them."
2:20 PM
Good thinking. Obviously just doing the best job you can with the news isn't enough. Why not carry it the next step? How about blow jobs for viewers? 2:20PM obviously has experience sucking up to NEP management--why not bite the big one for the team?
WYOU is still doing the Viewer's Club thing, and they're giving away a Subaru.
http://www.wyou.com/viewers_club/subaru.asp
Apparently, the promo dept. there has been slipping.
8:48pm :
Your stupidity and lack of education is amazing.
WYOU is still promoting the YEAR-ROUND viewers club. My card is still valid and it is one of the better ideas i've seen from Nexstar.
Dumbass.
OK, I happen to be "2:20" and I don't work for the media, not now nor in the past. You can bet I don't want to in the future, either! You people need to get a grip on life! As many other people do, I enjoy seeing people win money. Why not? It's free money that you don't have to work for. I'd say the same for ANY station, store, company, or anything else that offerred a contest. I'd say some of you exhibit a high level of paranoia. I've never seen a group of people so quick to tear apart and criticize someone for making an observation and actually having an OPINION. WOW! I'm GLAD I work in another profession! You guys are real backstabbers! Those among you who are decent and honorable must have to watch their backs and avoid the rest of you. All of us viewers should be glad the tv screen is between us to protect us from your venom!
Anyone else remeber Barry Finn and Scott Stuccio giving away snowblowers a few years back... best part of the contest was that it ended just as snow season was ending...
To 7:41
I got called stupid, uneducated, and a dumbass for not knowing if WYOU still gave away money. SO what are you call the person who doesn't know that Stuccio still gives away snowblowers every year? Not to mention a lawn mower in the summer? Sorry I don't know every single contest every station in the market is running every moment of every day.
"All of us viewers should be glad the tv screen is between us to protect us from your venom!"
9:26 PM
Yeah, but if I give you five bucks will you love me again? How 'bout ten?
Like them or not, contests are a way of life in television.
What bothers me about this WNEP contest is use of a news reporter to promote it. Does this mean WNEP's standards are now down to 22/28's, which had a WBRE main anchor lure people on a cruise?
To "2:13": No, you don't have enough money to "buy" my approval. I judge people by their integrity, honesty and common decency. Go ahead, call me Goody Two-Shoes. I still say it's better than looking down on others. You know what? It's really easy to disagree with others WITHOUT trying to degrade or mock them. If you believe in your opinions, you'll back them up with intelligent debate rather than throw stones to detract from the issues discussed. You'd make a good career politician! But I wouldn't vote for you! Getting back to my original thought here - you can't buy people who take pride in being good citizens and decent human beings. No amount of money will earn my respect. Try being respectable. You'll get farther with me, your co-workers, and the public in general. I sincerely wish you good luck.
"I judge people by their integrity, honesty and common decency. Go ahead, call me Goody Two-Shoes."
12:22 PM
Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah.
Blah-blah.
Blah-blah-blah-blah.
Tell us again how much you like watching people win money.
8:08
What are you, twelve?
Howard, "blah-blah" boy shows up here with regularity. Just look for the clever pattern of "blah-blah" replies. It's Election Day. Can we vote to have you leave his worthless contributions in the moderation queue?
Yes, I like to see people win money. Like the woman who hit the lottery a few days ago after losing her home in a fire last month. Honesty, integrity, and common decency do NOT frown on good fortune. Stealing, refusing to pay debts, counterfeiting - THOSE are against a moral lifestyle. Can it be you see nothing positive in fellow human beings? That you don't like to see anyone get a lucky break? That you must lash back for any small comment? If so, I feel sorry for you. You are depriving yourself out of a great deal of enjoyment in life. You bet I like to see people win any contest or lottery! As long as it's above board, not illegal or immoral. I say it again - some of you have sour grapes! That makes YOU the loser in the long run. You have lemons in life, make lemonade instead of having a sour face like you put on for the world to see. Again, I wish you good luck and hope you learn to find some good in other people.
Ohmigod, you're right! I have become negative--unfeeling--uncaring. I'm so ashamed. Thanks for pointing out my shortcomings in such a non-judgmental way. It's a comfort to me, though, to know that I can count on your forgiveness.
You are an inspiration. Especially your thought about turning lemons into lemonade. May I quote you?
Back to your original post: the part where you want TV stations to pay you to watch. "Viewer appreciation" you called it. You've brought me around to your way of thinking.
Where do I send the check?
Hey, someone mentioned it a few posts back, and I think I'll capitalize on it: WBRE and WYOU promotions do suck... The I-Team (or the scare you til you shit team) 360-degree weather... It's all about "YOU?" Can their work be any more retarded?
Promotions is the least-recognized department in any TV operation, and it's usually because when things are going well, it's simply not noticed. But this promotions department amazes me... they don't GET anything right, ever! Not even accidentally.
Does this mean WNEP's standards are now down to 22/28's, which had a WBRE main anchor lure people on a cruise?
A main anchor? Shit, several of their anchors have fronted trips over the years, with Keith Martin being the first. Nexstar makes a pile of money on these things - don't look for them to stop, certainly not if it was based in integrity.
10:48am:
Convential wisdom: If you are un-educated on a topic, you might want to stay quiet.
"Convential wisdom: If you are un-educated on a topic, you might want to stay quiet."
8:21 PM
The word is "conventional," and "uneducated" needs no hyphen.
WBRE hasn't had a good promotions department in probably ten years, or damned close to it. And if you track their sharply declining numbers, they began their descent slowly but steadily as the effectiveness of their promotions department went in the toilet. Couple bad promotions with so many other acts of stupidity, and there is no small wonder why WBRE(WYOU isn't even a player in this)has turned to shit over the last 5-8 years or so.
FWIW, the completely impotent promotions department can be traced to several terrible hires over the years. No sense naming names, most people wouldn't recognize them anyway. I will mention one name, though, because he was the last really good promotions director in that building, Charlie Bufalino.
"Convential wisdom: If you are un-educated on a topic, you might want to stay quiet."
8:21 PM
The word is "conventional," and "uneducated" needs no hyphen.
3:17 AM
Yeah, spelling is pretty poor around this blog. I think a lot of drunk people post here...
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