And the VJ drum beats on ...

[Another side]

I thought some of you might be interested in an email I received from a friend, who is a managing-editor on a mid-sized daily owned by MediaNews Group, a 57-daily newspaper chain headed by The Denver Post:

I no longer work for a newspaper. I now work for a "news and information source in which the Internet is king." The edict came down from Denver, and is to apply to every newspaper in the chain, starting with the Denver Post. All of our coverage is to be tailored to the Web. Reporters will eventually be given Web cams to take with them to post streming video of whatever it is they are covering. It's not like we haven't seen this coming, but when the owner of the Denver Post raises the white flag and essentially declares newspapers to be an outdated medium, it sort of brings it home. I give newspapers dropped on the doorstep another 10 years, tops.

[slipstream]

"People change, hairstyles change, interest rates fluctuate."

http://www.geocities.com/gillian320/lucy_tv.jpg

[Bureau Chief]

Well, with the net being what it is, newspapers SHOULD disappear. Its about time that we stopped smashing trees flat, printing on them, and then throwing it all out at the end of the day.

[Another side]

But if that's true for newspapers (disappearing) what does that mean for local TV news?

[cameragod]

I can’t help thinking that if TV companies concentrated on making their core business better i.e. “good quality Television” then the web wouldn’t hold much terror. Yes there are a lot of people clicking away on the net but nobody has come up with an actual way to turn that aimless clicking into cash… except maybe spammers so why not milk the bird in the hand instead of panicking about the two virtual birds in the bush?

[The Thrill]

Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
Well, with the net being what it is, newspapers SHOULD disappear. Its about time that we stopped smashing trees flat, printing on them, and then throwing it all out at the end of the day.And then line your birdcages with old flat-screen monitors. Wrap fish in old Usenet posts. tongue.gif

[The Mockingbird]

Is that really a problem, not enough material for lining bird cages?

We're probably about 10 or 15 years away from low-cost flexible thin screens that will take the place of paper.

Enjoy that, because it means your frigging cereal box will have moving ads on it.

But I would imagine paper would become the province of the rich, or artists, and possibly for legal documents.

[Clubbeat]

Unfortunately for local TV news as with newspapers, the audience is shrinking. Many reasons for it but the main one is that we're on our way to raising the second generation of computer/web savvy kids who will become adults and think the norm for them to get their information is from the web/cell phone etc.

Newsprint and magazines will last another 15-20 years as the rest of the boomers pass on (the last signifigant group to grow up using newspapers and magazines for information).

As for local TV news, unless station find a way, like newspapers have, to connect with the gizmo savvy generation, then they're done. In 15-30 years or less, most local news stations will be down to a staff of 3-5 people who will send the 6 & 11 product directly to the web.

[Fake Post]

Originally posted by Clubbeat:
Unfortunately for local TV news as with newspapers, the audience is shrinking. Many reasons for it but the main one is that we're on our way to raising the second generation of computer/web savvy kids who will become adults and think the norm for them to get their information is from the web/cell phone etc.

Newsprint and magazines will last another 15-20 years as the rest of the boomers pass on (the last signifigant group to grow up using newspapers and magazines for information).

As for local TV news, unless station find a way, like newspapers have, to connect with the gizmo savvy generation, then they're done. In 15-30 years or less, most local news stations will be down to a staff of 3-5 people who will send the 6 & 11 product directly to the web.Do you think those few people who will be working in tv news at the nets and in major markets will still command huge salaries or will it revert to the paydays of early tv news?

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Originally posted by Clubbeat:
In 15-30 years or less, most local news stations will be down to a staff of 3-5 people who will send the 6 & 11 product directly to the web.Are you high? Three to five people will do all the news for the internet? Perhaps in Rapid City. Who will gather the news? The same 3 to 5 people?

We already have double that now on the internet part of our operation. And number is just going to grow more with time and eventually blur with the broadcast side.

Internet delivery on demand is where broadcast news is going. Anchors have the most to lose the way this industry is heading.

[markminn]

There is still plenty of news in most markets to cover where having only 3-5 people in the news department just won't work. Sure, you could get some news on the web with 3-5 people, but all you need is a competitor who has a bigger and better staff putting out higher quality stories and a higher volume of stories, and the viewers will go there.

Doing news with just the bottom line in mind will do a manager well for a quarter or two, but when the people go elsewhere, that manager will get the boot...unless it is a Young station. Then, they may just keep him.

[Bureau Chief]

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
We're probably about 10 or 15 years away from low-cost flexible thin screens that will take the place of paper.

Enjoy that, because it means your frigging cereal box will have moving ads on it.

Funny you should mention this thin screen technology. Im waiting for a certain company to work out a few details and then I am gonna sink some money into them. They are perfecting this stuff that can be made into wallpaper and the entire wall becomes a computer monitor. Taken to the extreme, the entire room can become a monitor. Imagine a tropical screen saver that is displayed all around you, complete with sound effects...all the while, theres a snow storm raging outside in the real world. Closest thing to a holodeck!

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
They are perfecting this stuff that can be made into wallpaper and the entire wall becomes a computer monitor. Taken to the extreme, the entire room can become a monitor. Imagine a tropical screen saver that is displayed all around you, complete with sound effects...all the while, theres a snow storm raging outside in the real world. Closest thing to a holodeck!And when you come across a station dumb enough to air a OMB/VJ story, you'll know exactly what being in an earthquake looks like.

Migraines abound!
;)

[Rosenblum]

Just finished another VJ bootcamp at KGTV in San Diego.

You might want to take a look at the kind of work they are doing:

KGTV samples (http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/two-pieces-from-kgtv-bootcamp/)

[Diplomat]

Having seen the work of VJs on one of our local affiliates in my city, I am not impressed. AFter the VJ thing came to town, that station had video and reportage of a lesser quality, not to mention the little ethical issue with their "ethics" reporter.
The station had good people on staff; it was the management, particularly a psychotic news director (who thankfully was booted), causing the problem.

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Diplomat:
The station had good people on staff; it was the management, particularly a psychotic news director (who thankfully was booted), causing the problem.Question: what is the WKRN management crew that brought in the VJ system doing now?

Answer: no longer managing WKRN.

But what does Michael Rosenblum care? The check's written, he's gone. Ask him what became of the Young Broadcasting/OMB/VJ experiment, and he merely shrugs his shoulders.

[ July 01, 2007, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[Rosenblum]

Despite the change in management, WKRN is still a VJ station. Others are coming along nicely as well.
http://www.wkrn.com/vjs

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Despite the change in management, WKRN is still a VJ station.Typical consultant: doesn't see past the bad advice and deposit of the check.

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Others are coming along nicely as well.See, you always make it sound like there's a landslide of OMB/VJ about to hit -- yet, it never does. You can't even produce any "successful" OMB/VJs you've trained in your "boot camps." How sad. How long has it been since you gave Young Broadcasting bad advice? How many stations have you "converted" since then?

Your talk-to-product ratio is astoundingly bad, for as loud as the talk is.

I see you've yet to take my advice. No wonder you're a loud talker -- you sure as hell ain't a writer.

By the way, why do you absolutely refuse to answer the question in my signature? Could it be that -- like so many other problems -- you have no way to back up your own claim?

I think so!

[ July 01, 2007, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[Rosenblum]

Write when you get work.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Perhaps you could hire Chicago Dog, Rosie. That would keep him quiet -- just like that "psychotic news director" who blindly followed your ideas and wrecked the news department in Nashville. Hiring him was a brilliant way to keep him quiet.

If you don't want to hear the Dog barking throw him a big bone!

Ruff
Ruff
Ruff

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Write when you get work.I think that's the closest you've ever been to a complete, coherent sentence.

However, it still doesn't answer the question in my signature below. Seriously, if you're too candy-assed to write a response, I'll be happy to discuss your shortcomings and transcribe the ensuing conversation here for all to see.

Go ahead and throw me a number. I know you won't, but it's fun to point it out.

[ July 01, 2007, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[Rosenblum]

OK
$7.25 an hour
but you gotta wear the uniform...
can you say "do you want fries with that?"

[Chicago Dog]

Hmm... no phone number in that response.

No phone number in my private message folder, either.

I'm led to believe you don't want to discuss why you incorrectly accused me of being anti-semitic because you know you were wrong. It's too bad you don't mind attaching your title of "educator" at NYU to your irresponsible behavior. I'm sure your bosses there love your behavior on the internet and, thusly, the poor-light portrayal of NYU.

I feel sorry for you, Mike. What a sad, empty, unfulfilling personal life you must lead, even with all that bad-advice money you've collected.

[ July 02, 2007, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[kycamman]

While I believe the alleged VJ movement is bad for viewers and for newsrooms, there are quite successful storytellers out there who happen to shoot their own stuff. Note, they should be the exception and not the mandate.

I know of a couple myself who do very, very well with both their photography and writing. ONE even runs his own bureau out of a live truck!

That said, it takes a serious amount of experience to do both well, and one element of storytelling will always be a little weaker (either photography or reporting) as compared to an experienced two person team.

Back in the day when I used to be a OMB, I got my start basically because the reporters were sucky interns, and I knew I could do better. So I did. But I was already an experienced photog, so I could almost do it without thinking. Almost.

[Consider This]

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
I feel sorry for you, Mike. What a sad, empty, unfulfilling personal life you must lead, even with all that bad-advice money you've collected.Your life can't be much better judging from your obsession with him.

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Consider This:
Your life can't be much better judging from your obsession with him.First: what an incredibly ironic comment. I'll let you figure that one out.

Second: if someone accused you of being anti-semitic, claiming to have proof you've displayed anti-semitic behavior when you most certainly have not, wouldn't you want an explanation? It just so happens that my accuser is an educator (let alone, an educator in journalism) who should know better, making it even more interesting.

I'm sorry you consider it to be an "obsession." I've simply asked him to contact me for an explanation. He has silently rejected all attempts at communication.

I don't expect you to get around to understanding what that means, given the short-sighted posts I've seen you make. Undoubtedly, my first comment will keep you pretty busy. Now, run along and contemplate!

[ July 02, 2007, 07:23 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[Marty McFly]

Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
Well, with the net being what it is, newspapers SHOULD disappear. Its about time that we stopped smashing trees flat, printing on them, and then throwing it all out at the end of the day.How touching.
http://frosoco.stanford.edu/gallery/d/10454-2/06.jpg

[kneedinthegroin]

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Consider This:
Your life can't be much better judging from your obsession with him.First: what an incredibly ironic comment. I'll let you figure that one out.

Second: if someone accused you of being anti-semitic, claiming to have proof you've displayed anti-semitic behavior when you most certainly have not, wouldn't you want an explanation? It just so happens that my accuser is an educator (let alone, an educator in journalism) who should know better, making it even more interesting.

I'm sorry you consider it to be an "obsession." I've simply asked him to contact me for an explanation. He has silently rejected all attempts at communication.

I don't expect you to get around to understanding what that means, given the short-sighted posts I've seen you make. Undoubtedly, my first comment will keep you pretty busy. Now, run along and contemplate!</font>[/QUOTE]Dude, if it bothers you that much call him. You know his website address and you can find his number right there. But if you called him from easily accessible information then you can have your holier then thou stance on the message board.

[Consider This]

The NBC affiliate in Raleigh is advertising five jobs for a so-called "Embed Reporter" (http://jobs.mediageneral.com/JobDetails.asp?varID=NCN-000061) plus another one for a position titled "Embed Trainer."

An excerpt:

Must have the ability to use (or be trained to use) digital video camera and editing equipment and the ability to track audio and appear on camera for news reporting. Embed Reporters must be disciplined individuals who can operate on their own to achieve our coverage goals within the necessary time frame. They must be personable and represent our station in a professional manner at all times. Job Duties: Discover and plan enterprise stories. Shoot, write, edit and feed stories for use on multimedia platforms.

WNCN is a former NBC O-and-O sold to Media General. It is a relatively recent startup (1995) that has long lagged in the ratings far behind WRAL and WTVD.

[foxravens]

Originally posted by Marty McFly:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
Well, with the net being what it is, newspapers SHOULD disappear. Its about time that we stopped smashing trees flat, printing on them, and then throwing it all out at the end of the day.How touching.
http://frosoco.stanford.edu/gallery/d/10454-2/06.jpg</font>[/QUOTE]You should have been banned for what you said about that little boy last week, yet you continue your obnoxious posts.
What is WRONG with you?

[Spike]

Originally posted by Consider This:
WNCN is a former NBC O-and-O sold to Media General. It is a relatively recent startup (1995) that has long lagged in the ratings far behind WRAL and WTVD.Say, isn't that the station that had the "weather rapper" fiasco? Seems like there was some other scandal as well.

[NYC Street]

The amazing thing to me is that even though in the United States the term VJ has been synonymous with failure, the bean counters who listen to Rosenblum keep buying into the concept.

I guess it's another triumph of wanting to believe over objective fact. That's a philosophy that in the course of history has never triumphed.

[Rosenblum]

Actually, throughout history, the combination of technology plus economic advantage has proven to be a fairly irresistable force. Far from being a failure, the model and the approach are finding a healthy foothold across the US, albeit differently for the most part from the way we implemented it in Europe.

It has nevertheless both arrived and survived, and rest assured it is here to stay.

[interloper]

Originally posted by NYC Street:
The amazing thing to me is that even though in the United States the term VJ has been synonymous with failure, the bean counters who listen to Rosenblum keep buying into the concept.

I guess it's another triumph of wanting to believe over objective fact. That's a philosophy that in the course of history has never triumphed.Case in point.

http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2007/07/08/this-is-london/

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Actually, throughout history, the combination of technology plus economic advantage has proven to be a fairly irresistable force. Far from being a failure, the model and the approach are finding a healthy foothold across the US, albeit differently for the most part from the way we implemented it in Europe.
This is a textbook example of the marketing principle: "If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance then baffle 'em with bullshiit."

[Rosenblum]

Ralphie,
If this is too complicated for you, let me make it REAL simple. It works. It saves money. Get used to it.

[Spike]

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
It saves money.How much money does it save?

[2:30]

The real question isn't whether it saves on expenses. It's what does it cost in revenues?

How much lower are the ratings?

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Spike:
How much money does it save?I had to laugh, because you and I both know he'll never respond.
smile.gif

[Bureau Chief]

You can argue the principle all you want, but the viewers are getting used to this type of presentation via the internet where an increasing number are getting their daily news fix. I still think in about 10 years, the days of the reporter/photog crew going out to shoot a package will be a thing of the past as will the standard format of our present newscasts.

The writing is on the teleprompter, you might as well get the skills because the VJ concept is coming. News operations are changing fast and it has to because the old business model aint working anymore. Advertisers are leaving and moving to the net. Get with the new program or start updating those resumes!

[Chicago Dog]

Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
You can argue the principle all you want, but the viewers are getting used to this type of presentation via the internet where an increasing number are getting their daily news fix.So, in a nutshell, the sucky quality is excusable because it's on a different medium.

That makes absolutely no sense. I love how some of you pro-OMB/VJ supporters rant and rave about how "news needs to change," yet the only solution you can come up with is lowering the quality. And yet, you remain totally oblivious to how stupid it sounds.

If you want to go OMB/VJ, go for it. Nobody's stopping you. Just don't act surprised when you're steamrolled by a crew who knows how it should be done. When more people are putting out more crap work, it's just going to make the traditional crews look that much better.

Keep lowering that bar. Those of us who know what we're doing and know how to do it appreciate your support.

Originally posted by Bureau Chief:
News operations are changing fast and it has to because the old business model aint working anymore.Sorry, but of the stations that have tried the OMB/VJ concept, not one has achieved "better business." Young Broadcasting's stock is still in the crapper.

[ July 12, 2007, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

[Northern Met]

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Despite the change in management, WKRN is still a VJ station. Others are coming along nicely as well.
http://www.wkrn.com/vjsAnd WKRN is *still* last place in the market, even with all the VJs. Maybe time will prove me wrong...who knows.

[ July 20, 2007, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: Northern Met ]