Post by bostonmediaguy on Jan 4, 2009 12:49:45 GMT -5
(The origins of this thread began at the former MSN BTVN site).
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy (Original Message) Sent: 1/1/2009 5:48 PM
How bad will 2009 be for the local stations? Anyone have any predictions for the year ahead?
My prediction: WBZ combines the radio and television newsrooms (staff) to successfully stay afloat. Send only one reporter to report for radio, TV, and the web.
WCVB loses several veterans to buyouts within the first quarter of the new year.
One of the stations shifts to an all "one-man-band" operation.
From: MSN Nicknamedoubleyoubeezee Sent: 1/1/2009 6:54 PM
'BZ will probably send one of their weekday female anchors packing, one of their sports people, a few of their reporters, and possibly start pushing Elias towards the main anchor chair. They'll probably go OMB.
7 will probably send one of their more senior reporters away, and replace them with their normal new hires.
25 will probably can their 5pm newscast and send one of their commentators out.
That's my prediction.
From: MSN NicknameBosTV123 Sent: 1/2/2009 8:37 AM
I think doubleyoubeezee is spot on with all the predictions. I agree with EVERY ONE.
I believe allstations will reduce head count..hopefully attrition will take care of some situations.
I think the OMB prediction is also accurate.
Here's my hunch on what happens, ultimately at all the stations:
Each station maintains maybe 3 "star reporters"--probably vets already onboard. Then they round out the reporter staff with OMB's.
I think this transition starts with baby steps in 2009 and becomes the new normal by 2011.
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy Sent: 1/3/2009 8:38 PM
While I realize the focus of BTVN is television, I do believe it is worth noting that WBZ Radio has released several on-air employees, including its overnight talk hosts as well as afternoon sports anchor Tom Cuddy.
The Steve LeVeille Broadcast, which aired weekday overnights will be replaced by a network program out of St. Louis. (Other CBS-owned powerhouses WCCO and KDKA will do the same).
Unfortunately, these removes another (the last?) local live voice overnights. I know that during the Danvers chemical plant explosion in November 2006, many turned their radios on to WBZ for the information they desperately needed. I don't know if the station will retain any on-air news personnel overnights to fill this void. But somehow, I doubt it.
This is just the beginning, I think it is going to get a lot worse in the coming months. The media landscape as we have known it will be forever changed.
From: MSN NicknameBosTV123 Sent: 1/4/2009 10:13 AM
Cute, I totally agree--the situation at WBZ is tragic and sad and may be a hint of whats to come elsewhere in Electronic Media. In addition to Steve LeVeille, WBZ also canned Lovell Dyett, Afternoon Sports Anchor Tom Cuddy, and fill-in Pat Desmairis.
Gutting overnights to go Syndicated is a significant retrenchment for a legendary station/signal that hits 38 states.
We've got a Perfect Storm in Broadcast Media: a brutal cyclical downturn for the Economy, radio/TV owners deeply indebted and having trouble paying their bills, forecasts of an even more troubled 2009 (withOUT all that Political advertising)---not to mention a secular trend of gradual migration to the Internet.
YOU seem to understand the historic and potentially catastrophic implications of this unprecedented scenario.
A decade ago--a really smart TV exec asked me--"you want to know what TV's going to look like? Check out radio".
We're looking at smaller staffs and less pay. The hope here is that much of that can be transitioned with Attrition and hopefully attractive buy-outs.
I also predict you will see the merger of stations--ala 56/7. Maybe not THIS year in Boston, but elsewhere. And eventually I think you'll see maybe 2 serious News Outlets in every TV market.
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy Sent: 1/4/2009 12:47 PM
You're absolutely correct. It's almost comical the juxtaposition between what is taking place in the industry and some of the vintage local television artifacts that are popping-up on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/vintagetelevision). It was not all that long ago that Boston dominated the nation in quality local programming. Makes you wonder how long WCVB will be able to hold on to "Chronicle."
As for the merging of stations, it will happen. Just look at Miami where the ABC station, owned by Post-Newsweek, was poised to purchase the NBC O&O WTVJ, and merge the two newsrooms. The FCC put a stop to that one. But you can be sure NBC, which I'm sure did not budget for the Miami station past January 1, will cut deep into the bone (Perhaps even eliminating local news?).
I would like to continue this discussion on the new BTVN as I think it will be ongoing throughout the year(s). I will cut-and-paste the thread there, assuming it is OK with management.
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy (Original Message) Sent: 1/1/2009 5:48 PM
How bad will 2009 be for the local stations? Anyone have any predictions for the year ahead?
My prediction: WBZ combines the radio and television newsrooms (staff) to successfully stay afloat. Send only one reporter to report for radio, TV, and the web.
WCVB loses several veterans to buyouts within the first quarter of the new year.
One of the stations shifts to an all "one-man-band" operation.
xxx
From: MSN Nicknamedoubleyoubeezee Sent: 1/1/2009 6:54 PM
'BZ will probably send one of their weekday female anchors packing, one of their sports people, a few of their reporters, and possibly start pushing Elias towards the main anchor chair. They'll probably go OMB.
7 will probably send one of their more senior reporters away, and replace them with their normal new hires.
25 will probably can their 5pm newscast and send one of their commentators out.
That's my prediction.
xxx
From: MSN NicknameBosTV123 Sent: 1/2/2009 8:37 AM
I think doubleyoubeezee is spot on with all the predictions. I agree with EVERY ONE.
I believe allstations will reduce head count..hopefully attrition will take care of some situations.
I think the OMB prediction is also accurate.
Here's my hunch on what happens, ultimately at all the stations:
Each station maintains maybe 3 "star reporters"--probably vets already onboard. Then they round out the reporter staff with OMB's.
I think this transition starts with baby steps in 2009 and becomes the new normal by 2011.
xxx
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy Sent: 1/3/2009 8:38 PM
While I realize the focus of BTVN is television, I do believe it is worth noting that WBZ Radio has released several on-air employees, including its overnight talk hosts as well as afternoon sports anchor Tom Cuddy.
The Steve LeVeille Broadcast, which aired weekday overnights will be replaced by a network program out of St. Louis. (Other CBS-owned powerhouses WCCO and KDKA will do the same).
Unfortunately, these removes another (the last?) local live voice overnights. I know that during the Danvers chemical plant explosion in November 2006, many turned their radios on to WBZ for the information they desperately needed. I don't know if the station will retain any on-air news personnel overnights to fill this void. But somehow, I doubt it.
This is just the beginning, I think it is going to get a lot worse in the coming months. The media landscape as we have known it will be forever changed.
xxx
From: MSN NicknameBosTV123 Sent: 1/4/2009 10:13 AM
Cute, I totally agree--the situation at WBZ is tragic and sad and may be a hint of whats to come elsewhere in Electronic Media. In addition to Steve LeVeille, WBZ also canned Lovell Dyett, Afternoon Sports Anchor Tom Cuddy, and fill-in Pat Desmairis.
Gutting overnights to go Syndicated is a significant retrenchment for a legendary station/signal that hits 38 states.
We've got a Perfect Storm in Broadcast Media: a brutal cyclical downturn for the Economy, radio/TV owners deeply indebted and having trouble paying their bills, forecasts of an even more troubled 2009 (withOUT all that Political advertising)---not to mention a secular trend of gradual migration to the Internet.
YOU seem to understand the historic and potentially catastrophic implications of this unprecedented scenario.
A decade ago--a really smart TV exec asked me--"you want to know what TV's going to look like? Check out radio".
We're looking at smaller staffs and less pay. The hope here is that much of that can be transitioned with Attrition and hopefully attractive buy-outs.
I also predict you will see the merger of stations--ala 56/7. Maybe not THIS year in Boston, but elsewhere. And eventually I think you'll see maybe 2 serious News Outlets in every TV market.
xxx
From: MSN Nicknamecutebostonmediaguy Sent: 1/4/2009 12:47 PM
You're absolutely correct. It's almost comical the juxtaposition between what is taking place in the industry and some of the vintage local television artifacts that are popping-up on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/vintagetelevision). It was not all that long ago that Boston dominated the nation in quality local programming. Makes you wonder how long WCVB will be able to hold on to "Chronicle."
As for the merging of stations, it will happen. Just look at Miami where the ABC station, owned by Post-Newsweek, was poised to purchase the NBC O&O WTVJ, and merge the two newsrooms. The FCC put a stop to that one. But you can be sure NBC, which I'm sure did not budget for the Miami station past January 1, will cut deep into the bone (Perhaps even eliminating local news?).
I would like to continue this discussion on the new BTVN as I think it will be ongoing throughout the year(s). I will cut-and-paste the thread there, assuming it is OK with management.
