RIP Sen. Ted Kennedy

[BTVNadmin]

This will act as the place to leave your thoughts on the coverage of last night's passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy. General rememberances of the senator are also welcome.

So far, for most of the morning, I've been watching WCVB. Heather Unruh and Randy Price at the desk with Bianca de la Garza interviewing other in-studio guests. Live on-scene reports scattered throughout as well, and pre-taped obit pieces that sadly, one suspects, have been long in the can. Of particular note was a live phoner that Heather and Randy conducted with former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, during which there was room for something of a more lighthearted, but also reverent tone.

My own mother died of the same condition as Sen. Kennedy, so I know what discomfort it can bring, both to the patient and those around them. The Kennedy family have every conceivable luxury at their disposal, but today they are sharing in an all-too-common experience, and for that, I can only extend my empathy.

[dotcomeditor]

Thank goodness my cable system carries Providence's WJAR. Hours and hours of local coverage on Senator Kennedy's passing that loops the same content over and over wears thin quickly. I wanted the Today Show's coverage, and I got it by turning to 10.

[bostonmediaguy]

And it will continue throughout the day. WBZ plans to remain through 6:30 PM, breaking for Evening News, to return at 7:00 PM followed by a CBS News special from 8:00 PM-9:00 PM. I would assume that tonight's Boston mayoral debate will be rescheduled.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/26/politics/main5265885.shtml

[bostonmediaguy]

Just to update...

The Mayoral debate has been postponed (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/08/mayoral_debate.html). WBZ coverage will extend through tonight's 11pm (excluding the 6:30 PM-7:00 PM and 8:00 PM-9:00 PM breaks for national coverage). WCVB and WHDH remain on the air, while Fox has resumed scheduled programming.

[louisbzerr]

Anybody know what time Boston TV stations started broadcasting or announced Death?

[cj]

Edit: Actually, it was earlier than 1:40am, it was included in my recording of Late Night

Well, I was watching WHDH at the time, and about 1:40am Ryan Schulteis broke in (last one to leave, eh?). Following that, did some flipping around, seems WBZ had Jon Keller on at about 2am (give or take, I was not flipping constantly). Heather Unruh came on WCVB with a guest (sorry, can't recall). WFXT did not jump in until around 3am, instead running a ticker for a while.

Around 3am the AM teams started to show up, Randy showed up for channel 5, followed by WHDH's morning team, as well as WBZ - then come 4AM, it was time for me to go to sleep.

Working for 10+ hours hopefully gets a bit more pay in their pockets. What is sad is that most of the stations had packages pre-made, expected, but still. It did give them something to run (if i see Andy Hiller's package once more, my remote is going through my TV!), but it is sad when the packages are premade.

[bostonmediaguy]

Aug 26, 2009 12:43:56 GMT -5 louisbzerr said:

Anybody know what time Boston TV stations started broadcasting or announced Death?

Upon reviewing my TiVo'd episode of Craig Ferguson, a pre-taped Special Report (featuring Lisa Hughes on the previous set, so a year old?) aired on Ch. 4 at about 1:23AM. My guess is this was produced shortly following Sen. Kennedy's diagnosis for use if news broke overnight.

[fluffernutter523]

It's so sad to see him go, he was great for our state, not matter what you thought of his views.

I actually did not know until about 7:30 when I was listening to mix 104.1 in the shower and Karson and Kennedy devoted their entire show in his honor.

I do not like the sset that channel 5 is using, is that a green screen? I was only able to see news coverage on TV during my lunch break and starting now, as I just got home.
Paula and David are on channel 4 right now, were Jack and Lisa on earlier? Fox was airing the Tyra Banks show during lunch and is airing Law and Order right now. Really? The biggest local story of the year...


I think it's fine if they air coverage through the day, but if they go into primetime then it may be overkill (loved the guy but how much coverage do you need?).

[bignate]

The coverage got old for me quickly as well. Was switching between 4 and 5 -- for some reason Anne and Adam did not seem to have the credibility/depth the story required. Was glad to see 4 and 5 had the 'main guys' in doing the work- although I'm not sure if Kim and Frances would have been any better than A&A. Also, makes you wonder how many other pieces are in the can just waiting... RIP Senator.

[newsfan2010]

Yeah, the constant (and looping) coverage grew old quickly. I saw it early this morning and the same packages started to air again (especially Hiller's story) in what seemed like about 20 minutes. It's one thing to inform people, it's another thing to keep regurgitating the same stuff over and over and over again.

[kvn]

Interesting that the Mass is from Mission Church

[medvegas]

I am glad that Fox News had the good sense to keep the news on at 6:00, instead of running TMZ (utter trash). They also seem to be airing fewer pre-taped segments, which I agree are unwatchable after the third time.

It is also refreshing that for the most part the news is focused on the Senator's accomplishments, rather than his personal challenges. Too often lately the news outlets seem obsessed with covering people's failures rather than successes. Then again, they air what the people want to see (at least in theory). RIP Senator Kennedy.

[bostonmediaguy]

Broadcasting & Cable reports on the coverage efforts of Boston television stations.

www.broadcastingcable.com/article/329077-Boston_Stations_Cover_Kennedy.php

[patsx3]

For the most part I watched WBZ and WCVB's coverage. Both stations did a nice job in covering the unfortunate passing of Senator Kennedy. I didn't stop for very long on WHDH. For a story like this I'd rather see people who know just what Senator Kennedy meant to many of his constituents.

I found WFXT's lack of coverage unsurprising. It seems that whenever there's a big story every station is live except FOX25. Same old.

[fox25rox]

Dead on patsx3. Whdh just doesn't have what it takes for a story like this. I think Ch 4 and 5 have done a fine job. IMO Heather Unruh has stepped into that next class of anchors (Liz, Nat), the kind of person that really can bring a story and give you that home town credibility (and I don't think she's home grown either?).

Thanks for your work Sen. Kennedy, RIP.