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Post by patsx3 on Apr 1, 2010 16:38:38 GMT -5
I just read on Michael Page's blog that WBZ's ratings have continued their drop from last month. They now trail behind WCVB and WHDH in all time slots. I'm kind of "curious" (no pun intended) to hear everyone's thoughts on it.
What do you attribute this drop to?
What steps do they need to take to bring their ratings up?
To bring the ratings up I would move Paula to 5pm, and pair Kerry with David in the morning when she returns.
I like Todd, and wish him nothing but success in his new time slot. But unless Barry didn't want the job, I think it was a mistake not to make him chief and give him the evening shift. He has instant name recognition, and a great level of credibility that is currently rivaled only by Harvey Leonard.
Some would argue that image means nothing, but I disagree to some extent. WBZ's current set looks very drab, especially in comparison to it's competition. Right or wrong, I think that something as simple as cosmetics can give the viewer an impression that it's an inferior product.
Anyway, just a couple of thoughts to get the thread going. What do you think?
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Post by waianae on Apr 1, 2010 17:14:05 GMT -5
I agree completely with your suggestions. I would get rid of conversation nation - it is annoying. Make Paula a consumer reporter, anything but anchor. Barry should have been Chief long ago.
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Post by bostonmediaguy on Apr 1, 2010 17:45:30 GMT -5
What do you attribute this drop to? The drop in mornings is the lack of promotion. The daily, topical Conversation Nation promos should have continued. The 11PM? Several broadcasts were delayed due to college basketball. The tune-in isn't there in Boston for collegiate sports. No primetime lead-in and the numbers drop. A serious conversation on the ratings can be had once May sweeps end. |
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Post by cjrinme on Apr 1, 2010 19:02:45 GMT -5
Jack Williams and Tony Pepper on the 11.
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Post by dotcomeditor on Apr 1, 2010 20:45:19 GMT -5
Kerry an anchor? Ha! (I know you're suggesting that only because today is April Fool's Day.)
Sorry, but I find her such a content-free lightweight, one might think she's filled with helium. The traffic reporting has improved a million times with Melissa Mack.
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Post by patsx3 on Apr 1, 2010 21:08:19 GMT -5
Kerry an anchor? Ha! (I know you're suggesting that only because today is April Fool's Day.) Sorry, but I find her such a content-free lightweight, one might think she's filled with helium. The traffic reporting has improved a million times with Melissa Mack. No April Fools joke. But alright, so you don't like Kerry. What is your solution to the morning news ratings then? |
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Post by tmac505 on Apr 4, 2010 9:29:08 GMT -5
Here's what I'd do:
1. Definitely do some tweaks on the appearance of the set, as it does look drab.
2. Keep the 5-6:30PM lineup for now, but see if you can get someone to do the 5PM with Jonathan. Lisa is great, but they do need some variety.
3. Pull Paula off the mornings. Replace her with...anyone! She just doesn't seem as serious as Wade, who comes across as having far more experience and news savy. Maybe pull a reprorter up and try them out at the morning slot. (What ever happened to Dawn Hasbrook? She would have been perfect for mornings)
4. I agree with the sentiments about Gutner and Burbank. Both are very good at what they do, but especially with unpredictable New England weather, you need someone with experience and credibilty as Chief. Burbank would be perfect, and they made a big mistake demoting him in the first place.
It's going to be tough for them to improve. People want serious credibility with their news, and that's what WCVB is pushing. 4 could learn a thing or two from 5: no frills, serious news that gets the point across quickly. I think in many ways, WBZ comes across as a bit of a lightwieght (even if people like Jack, Lisa and Jonathan are anything but). The light blue, the odd new-age music and the whole Conversation Nation thing just don't do it for many viewers.
I've always like BZ, and I hope they start doing better. But right now, I like my Newscenter 5 more, and its going to be tough for BZ to draw me away from that.
Just my opinions...
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Post by dotcomeditor on Apr 4, 2010 10:01:11 GMT -5
I like David Robichaud; he is a fun guy. I had a great time with him and his videographer Kent Earle (along with the radio side's Carl Stevens -- not his real name!) riding up from Norfolk, Va. on the USS JFK a few years ago. That said, I find the Conversation Nation segment spurious at best and annoying at worst. When that segment comes on, it's my cue to saunter into the bathroom to brush my teeth -- because 1) I know I won't miss anything of substance and 2) I don't care one whit about what participants think regarding issues in which I usually have no interest.
Put me in the minority, but I like watching Paula in the morning (and Bianca, too). To me, David Wade's voice is too piercing for early morning TV; I want a more soothing voice. Mr. Wade, however, is fine at noon. And I hope that Jack Williams will retire soon, stepping aside for Jonathan Elias. Mr. Williams' embarrasingly ridiculous comments and guffaws after every story is inane and borders on senile (in my opinion). For me, he is oh-so-close to becoming unwatchable.
And sorry, but Todd Gutner at 11 p.m. just doesn't cut it. It would be the perfect stage for Mike Wankum.
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Post by bigdog on Apr 4, 2010 12:51:14 GMT -5
Kerry in, Paula out in themorning.Lightweights dont go to VANDERBILT.I think Paula and David make an awful team.If you didnt know what time it was you wouldnt know it was a morning show and that is A PROBLEM.Mellissa Mack is pure cardboard.As far as promotion for the morning show , that is one big excuse.You can promote the heck out of a restaurant but if the food stinks no will eat there.
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Post by willywoo on Apr 6, 2010 7:59:11 GMT -5
i agree that kerry should anchor again. paula is not watchable. kerry and scott wahle were the best team in the market years ago. i'm sure people stopped watchig when they left. kerrys warmth and quick wit is so pleasant in the mornings. right now it seems like a cold evening show. just have paula do consumer reports. kerry and david would be the perfect team i think. melissa is sort of like paula..nothing charismatic. boring.
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Post by admiral37 on Apr 6, 2010 11:51:49 GMT -5
I have to agree that they need to take Paula off mornings, she is difficult to watch in the mornings and there's no chemistry at all between her and David Wade. I like him, I just don't care for Paula as an anchor. She should just stick to the consumer stuff, I can't even see her doing hard news.
I don't think Melissa Mack is all that bad...my only criticism is she's a bit "sing-songy." As for the rest of WBZ's weather, I didn't care for Ken Barlow and do not miss him. I don't see Todd as the ultimate replacement, he looks like a college kid and is difficult to take seriously. I like someone's suggestion that WBZ should go after Mike Wankum, he's got credibility and knows New England weather.
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Post by leftylucy on Apr 6, 2010 19:47:38 GMT -5
What do you attribute this drop to? The drop in mornings is the lack of promotion. The daily, topical Conversation Nation promos should have continued. The 11PM? Several broadcasts were delayed due to college basketball. The tune-in isn't there in Boston for collegiate sports. No primetime lead-in and the numbers drop. A serious conversation on the ratings can be had once May sweeps end. College ball. You got half of it right. It actually brought in a prety good size audience which unfortunately are not the news consumers. |
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Post by bnews52 on Apr 7, 2010 10:11:37 GMT -5
Long time lurker, tmac, I agree with your sugesstions. In addition, I also think WBZ should bring back the Eyewitness News format that made them successful in the past (I know that's eons ago). But ever since they dropped the format and changed to WBZ News 4, News 4 NE, CBS 4 News, etc...'BZ has been having an identity crisis that has lasted to this day.
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Post by mvjournalist on Apr 8, 2010 14:36:17 GMT -5
I have to agree that the changes that WBZ made ever since dropping the "Eyewitness News" format as been more like watching the movie Sybil.
To make things flashy, and hopefully garner a new audience just doesn't work in New England. We are crusted cold weather people who just want the news, weather, traffic and sports.
What might work for the West Coast or Florida, might not work here. Change is tough to adapt to up here more than in other parts of the country where things go at a fast pace.
Mr. Burbank should be the Chief and continue the tradition that made WBZ THE news station: experience first.
Just look at what WCVB has been doing for years with the experience and very credible staff they have. Add to the mix Randy Price and they just solidified themselves well over WBZ, WHDH and WFXT.
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Post by fox25rox on Apr 9, 2010 17:09:43 GMT -5
Jack, Liz, Bob, Don and Joyce. How bout dem apples?
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