Best Mid-Sized Markets?

[OnAirTalent]

I'm looking to make my next jump and I'm trying to decide between 6 mid-sized markets (list below). Which are best, and which should be avoided and why? Thanks in advance...

-Sherveport,LA
-Columbia,SC
-Huntsville,AL
-Jackson,MS
-Knoxville,TN
-Richmond,VA

[Chartsengrafs]

You should be asking about the stations to avoid.

[ August 31, 2007, 04:09 AM: Message edited by: Chartsengrafs ]

[Roy G. Biv]

I would avoid Jackson, MS.

[OnAirTalent]

You should be asking about the stations to avoid.

The reason I asked about the markets and not the stations it's possible I will be promoted being promoted through my current company (Raycommedia). If you could, though, please tell me how the Raycom stations are in those markets.

[amp]

One advantage in staying with a company is you don't lose your vacation time. Most companies (I know this is how Raycom does it) give you 3 weeks vacation after 5 years. If you go to a new company, you go back to 2 weeks vacation, unless you can bargain that out in the contract.

[BrgrKing15]

I just took a job in Huntsville. Its a real nice area and I've only heard great things about the city.

I would avoid Mississippi...

[RollTide98]

I don't know of a Raycom station in Knoxville that does its own news.

The Raycom in Huntsville would be a good choice, although they're a little over the top on the "investigators" branding.

The Raycom in Jackson is a perennial leader, but it's in a city that I'd rather avoid.

As for the cities themselves, Huntsville and Richmond are the best... by far.

[ August 31, 2007, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: RollTide98 ]

[Eeps Snorps Now]

I'd also highly recommend Columbia. WIS is a fine station with a long news tradition. Columbia's a state capital and college town, an easy drive from beaches, Atlanta, Charleston, and the mountains of the Upstate and NC including Charlotte.

Also don't underestimate Shreveport. The gm there is an old news guy (nd and on-air), so they take news seriously.

[OnAirTalent]

Lots of good insight. Thanks, you all. Just curious: What's so bad about Jackson, MS that makes everybody tell me to stay away from it?

[Eeps Snorps Now]

Mississippi-phobia. It's common, but not a reason to stay away from market-leader WLBT if that's where your best opportunity is. It's a capital city in a state that generates a LOT of news. Since you're not from there, it's probably not a place you'll want to linger (perhaps you will) past the obligatory few years since that part of the world tends to measure time in generations rather than in minutes. But you'll find Jackson a reasonably attractive city with a blend of tradition and predictable suburban slur, mostly around the north side.