Understaffed Newsroom

[Slave to the Grind]

Hello all.

I'm a producer in a middle sized market, 90-120 range. Recently we lost an executive producer, producer, anchor, director, and photographer. This was all within the last three months.

It took us three months to hire the executive producer, but we still don't have a new director or photog, and the anchor isn't being replaced.

We have 8 producer shifts and 7 producers, which means we've all been having to rotate to cover for the producer who hasn't been replaced. In addition, the holiday and sweeps schedule is/was a nightmare because we can't afford to have anyone else take off. I managed to get enough Christmas time to fly home and back, and I haven't seen my family in half a year.

The problem is that our ND is lazy. The executive producer that was hired isn't really an EP, he's the new ND. Therefore we have two news directors and no hands-on EP who can step in and fill in for a shift if someone is sick or needs to take off.

Then we get compensatory days. Ok, great. You are supposed to take a comp day whenever you want, but that will never work when we are already understaffed, because it means someone is working a double, plus a weekend on top of that.

On top of THAT, I've been completely left for dead on the morning show. I was supposed to finally move up when the new producer was hired, but I'm beginning to feel like that will never happen. There is NO communication from AM to dayside, and I'm often completely in the dark as to what's going on at the station.

It is one of the most frustrating things I've had to deal with. Our newsroom is understaffed, overworked, and stressed out. Just in time for Christmas too.

And yes, I'm familiar with the "Welcome to TV" line, so don't go there. I'm just looking for people who went through a similar experience with lazy management.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

If it makes you feel better. I was promoted this year to Main Anchor. MGT has not replaced my former Weekend Slot(3 months ago). Weekend Producer left one month ago, no replacement. Two photog openings....not replaced(possibly sign of one-man band era). I won't bore you with "Welcome to TV"....I will simply say management likes to test the waters. If they can pull it off with less people...they will more than likely keep it that way. Sux, but it's what I am witnessing right now.

[Produce man]

Same thing here. Way undestaffed and no prospects righ now for several key positions.

[Bureau Chief]

We lost 3 producers in 2 weeks. YIKES! Our ND quietly cut a couple of photog spots and never replaced them...maintaining that we are right up there where we are supposed to be. Look we can count man, we KNOW we are low on people. Whats worse, with what we pay, we cant seem to hire anyone in a hurry. I feel your pain. Maybe meet with the evening shift on the side, talk things over with them and establish a channel of communications. If you are seeing these problems, then maybe they are too.

[cruelcruelworld]

my experience tells me that every general manager is trying to make bonus and if he can make it though december...he'll let hell freeze over first. this really isn't really a good time of the year for hiring. most people don't want to make a move right before christmas and new years. come january 1st, the flood gates will open with opportunities for job seekers. everyone wants to be at full staff before the feb book. hang in there...it gets better. been doing this routine for 30 yrs.

[Brain Cramp]

Cruelworld, tell me about your dog. He/she is both beautiful and cute.

[interloper]

Hello all.

I'm a producer in a middle sized market, 90-120 range. Recently we lost an executive producer, producer, anchor, director, and photographer. This was all within the last three months.

It took us three months to hire the executive producer, but we still don't have a new director or photog, and the anchor isn't being replaced.

We have 8 producer shifts and 7 producers, which means we've all been having to rotate to cover for the producer who hasn't been replaced. In addition, the holiday and sweeps schedule is/was a nightmare because we can't afford to have anyone else take off. I managed to get enough Christmas time to fly home and back, and I haven't seen my family in half a year.

The problem is that our ND is lazy. The executive producer that was hired isn't really an EP, he's the new ND. Therefore we have two news directors and no hands-on EP who can step in and fill in for a shift if someone is sick or needs to take off.

Then we get compensatory days. Ok, great. You are supposed to take a comp day whenever you want, but that will never work when we are already understaffed, because it means someone is working a double, plus a weekend on top of that.

On top of THAT, I've been completely left for dead on the morning show. I was supposed to finally move up when the new producer was hired, but I'm beginning to feel like that will never happen. There is NO communication from AM to dayside, and I'm often completely in the dark as to what's going on at the station.

It is one of the most frustrating things I've had to deal with. Our newsroom is understaffed, overworked, and stressed out. Just in time for Christmas too.

And yes, I'm familiar with the "Welcome to TV" line, so don't go there. I'm just looking for people who went through a similar experience with lazy management.

Understaffed?

It's times like this when I think back to my early days in a small Texas newsroom.

There were 12 of us. That was it! Producing three newscasts a day during the week and two a day on the weekends.

No photogs or editors. Just reporters who shot each other's stories and edited their own.

No show producers either.

The news director produced and anchored the newscasts during the week.

The weekend anchor produced the weekend casts.

When I see complaints about under-staffing I have to shake my head. It's always better with more people but some have to realize that you can do a lot with many less on the payroll.

Those old days are long gone for me. I don't want to go back to that situation. However, knowing what can be done with fewer people keeps me humble and less of a complainer.

The short solution to your problem is to find a job elsewhere.

Don't kid yourself though. You'll still find something to complain about and I guarantee you will never find any newsroom anywhere that is fully staffed to the level you think is required.

The economics of this business are going back to what it was years ago. Too long ago for many youngsters to even know about. But it's a reality you will become very familiar with. Especially as more and more stations decide producing a local news program just isn't needed.

No different than newspapers.

Those that produce a product with the resources available and still make money will survive. Number three and four stations are all facing a financial reality that will be shared by soon to be unemployed employees.

Those stories are easy to find every day.

Be thankful you still have a job. No one is forcing you to stay where you are. If you believe you deserve a better situation, work for it and get an actual job offer. Until then, a complaining attitude about staffing is not going to be a positive influence on your career or others you work with.

I don't relish having to do more with less. But I do have a clear idea of just how much "less" it could be.

[overthehill]

It may be a matter of timing...

Your station may be dragging its feet on replacing people as a budgetary move. You'd have to find out what kind financial calendar your station is on to be sure. However, if the fiscal year runs Jan-December, expect them to be lax about replacements until after the first of the year. That way the company "pockets" the salary expenses making the bottom line look a bit better.

Yes, it's all quite frustrating for those of you in the trenches, but management may be doing it all for fiscal reasons. You can certainly ask if that's the case. It just may be. (You may not get an honest answer).

Obviously, your ND may be lazy, but you should expect a lull after November sweeps and right before the holiday season with vacations looming, etc. No one's ever in much of a mood to go through the interviewing process during the holiday season.

Lastly, can you tell if the spots have been advertised and that tapes/DVD's are coming in? Do you detect any "excitement" from your managers about any of the candidates? Have any actually stopped by the station for tours and meet-n-greets? If not, ask, push the issue. It's your newsroom too.

[jrat33]

Understaffed?

It's times like this when I think back to my early days in a small Texas newsroom.

There were 12 of us. That was it! Producing three newscasts a day during the week and two a day on the weekends.

No photogs or editors. Just reporters who shot each other's stories and edited their own.

No show producers either.

The news director produced and anchored the newscasts during the week.

The weekend anchor produced the weekend casts.

When I see complaints about under-staffing I have to shake my head. It's always better with more people but some have to realize that you can do a lot with many less on the payroll.
.

And we didn't have these fancy gloves that you kids have today. When you were cold, you wrapped newspapers around your handS and stapled them to your skin to keep them on. And if they flew away, your hands got frostbite and turned black and people laughed at you.

That's the way it was and we LIKED IT!

[Gail sirens]

Nowadays, they're all understaffed, with only a few exceptions.
Making those who are there do more with less, like multitasking 2 peoples jobs, and only one salary.
Get used to it, because saving money is the wave of the future, and profit comes before anything else.

[Slave to the Grind]

Sorry, but I'm not interested in any old-school "this is how it used to be" kind of response.

This is 2007, not 1975. That might have been your life, but it's not mine. This station is comprised of a great group of hardworking journalists who deserve to have professional management. The product becomes crap when people are working weekend after weekend.

And you can say "Welcome to TV" all you want, but before the Executive Producer left, everyone was happy, we had social lives, and our station easily beat out the competition in ratings.

So I KNOW for a fact that it's not all doom and gloom, like you people make it out to be. We have zero one-man-bands, make good money, and have a nice collection of awards and honors.

[DoneThatToo]

Sorry, but I'm not interested in any old-school "this is how it used to be" kind of response.

This is 2007, not 1975. That might have been your life, but it's not mine. This station is comprised of a great group of hardworking journalists who deserve to have professional management. The product becomes crap when people are working weekend after weekend.

And you can say "Welcome to TV" all you want, but before the Executive Producer left, everyone was happy, we had social lives, and our station easily beat out the competition in ratings.

So I KNOW for a fact that it's not all doom and gloom, like you people make it out to be. We have zero one-man-bands, make good money, and have a nice collection of awards and honors.

If you have what it takes and know how to make it work . . . .

why don't you apply for the job? At least you would find out if they are really interested in filling the position.

Edit: Had to correct 'now' to 'know' - doh!

[Clubbeat]

...sucks!. Today's business is more about reducing or eliminating labor and other high end costs in order to satisfy the bottom line.

The business of journalism has surpassed the art of journalism because of the profit margin. Hence, if newsroom and station managers can get away with providing the same product that is selling with fewer people and resources, then you can expect that to happen.

What kills me is when the product suffers, some of these same managers want to blame the few that are left to do the work of many. Or worse, they use "interns" in damn near every capacity imaginable. (I worked in a place once where an intern as a reporter.)

It's about the money now...

[MurrowManager]

So you don't want to hear about "how it was in the good old days?" Nobody does. But you have to look at the big picture. If you work overnights, how do you know how "lazy" your manager is? Do you shadow him/her while they work on budgets, go to meetings, call candidates? Oh, and make sure someone doesn't get you sued? Somebody mentioned the time of year. It's relevant. Most hires come early or late summer. After that, there's a dead zone. What about the folks that left? Did they leave for bigger jobs? Or were they as frustrated as you? I'm guessing you've been in the business a year or two. I'd suggest you learn more about the process and business. And I'm not talking about the "1975" business, I mean the "2007" business. Have you suggested any good candidates for the open positions? I'm not trying to make your frustrations less than they are, but you obviously have little in the way of real world experience with which to compare this one. Your not going to find your answers on a message board. And in the end, if you're not enjoying it now the chances are you won't like it anywhere else. Stick it out, be a positive influence and be a leader by offering to help in any way. If not, you should consider a career that offers the stability it appears you've grown accustomed to. And if you find one that is overstaffed, overpays and offers lots of social time, how about filling us in.

[interloper]

Sorry, but I'm not interested in any old-school "this is how it used to be" kind of response.

This is 2007, not 1975. That might have been your life, but it's not mine. This station is comprised of a great group of hardworking journalists who deserve to have professional management. The product becomes crap when people are working weekend after weekend.

You're right. This is 2007. Not the 1990's either. Your idea of what is needed and who to blame lead me to believe your frustrations will not end any time soon.

Best of luck finding a place which has never existed.

[mothball]

But I can certainly understand the frustration.

I started at my last TV position in 1999 with a crew of 21 on a morning show. When I left, we were down to 14 -- three anchors, producer, assistant producer, editor, photographer (one of those two also ran prompter), two directors, audio, graphics, master control guy, and two camera guys. No reporter. When someone went on vacation, we just had to shift over and do that job, too.

Which, if TV was still what it was in 1999, wouldn't have been a big deal. However, add in the responsibilities of manpower for a secondary station, a full blown constantly updated website, and the demands of producing radio newscasts as well, you get really busy. Clamp down on overtime, don't fill empty positions, and increase the number of station projects -- and you start wondering when you'll reach critical mass and blow up.

Unfortunately, unless you're really lucky to move into a growing station, you're going to be at the beck and call of some middle manager trying to save money so he can receive a bonus. That might be the news director or the general manager. That's also the reason behind the disappearance of Christmas bonuses and station parties. If it costs money, it's in jeopardy.

There is no easy solution (I'm still marveling that your station has eight producers -- wow. I hope your workload is evenly spread). You have to decide for yourself if you are going to put up with it or find another station. And unless you are one of the lucky few that end up at a station where the middle managers have kahunas and fight for fair pay and work conditions for their employees, you're out of luck.

[interloper]

...end up at a station where the middle managers have kahunas...

You made me laugh a bit...I think you mean "cajones".

[Beentheredonethattoo]

You made me laugh a bit...I think you mean "cajones".


And I think YOU meant "cojones". "Cajones" is the Spanish word for drawers.

[mothball]

I actually meant to say "kahunas." My baby brother started to refer to them that way when he was a teenager, and got the rest of us into saying it.

And... well, apparently you got the meaning.:o

[markminn]

Geez, you guys seem to have it bad. My station is getting sold and we are still hiring! Luckily, we are down only one photog.

[Slave to the Grind]

You're right. This is 2007. Not the 1990's either. Your idea of what is needed and who to blame lead me to believe your frustrations will not end any time soon.

Best of luck finding a place which has never existed.

If you had read my post, you'd notice that the "place that never existed" indeed existed just a few months ago.

The problems go above and beyond simply finding someone to fill a particular role. There is no cross-training, and no filling in from the managers. The old EP knew how to use our system and would step in and do it himself if we were short-staffed that day. Neither the ND or the new EP know how to use our system (yet), so other people work doubles instead.

I'm not acting like I know everything about television. What I do know is what OUR station used to be like just a few months ago. I've seen it run correctly, and I know that it's possible for everyone to be happy and have a good work ethic at the same time.

[Charlie Brown]

out of curiosity, has anyone in the history of small market television ever felt their newsroom was anything but understaffed? has anyone worked in a newsroom that they felt was felt "staffed"?

[Produce man]

Yes. Seriously.

[CJ]

Well what sucks about Cross Training is that if you know how to do several jobs, you're always going to be tapped to do different gigs. Which is all good and fine until you have to do your main job, then go off and do other things.

However, you're also the go-to person they can call when they are in a pinch. Man, I hate catch 22's.

[Charlie Brown]

Why wouldn't you want to cross train? seriously. the more versatile of a journalist you are, the more of a future you'll have in this - or any other - business.

The more you know how to do in life, the more employable you are...and based upon the direction the teevee news business appears to be heading in, the better your chances are of moving up sooner as well.

[adam & doctor drew]

the only way your situation is likely to change is if the product, ratings and revenues go down as a result of the short-staffing.

as long as the shows continue to get on, and the money keeps coming in, the staff won't increase or improve.

sounds like your best option is to get out of there.

[gdiamante]

Slave, are you sure you know the whole story?

Sometimes positions are left unfilled because upper management won't OK the hire until a certain date or time.

[Slave to the Grind]

Slave, are you sure you know the whole story?

Sometimes positions are left unfilled because upper management won't OK the hire until a certain date or time.


They are going to replace everyone except the anchor. There were job postings in our building, and online, for each of the other openings.

I've just been told that they are having trouble finding people. I'm sure that things will open up by January if we are still struggling.

I don't know anything about upper management, but we're a pretty good station when it comes to money, so I don't think that's the issue.

[WOS]

has anyone worked in a newsroom that they felt was felt "staffed"?

Yes, about 15 years ago and on back from there, every station at which I worked, small, medium & large was pretty much fully staffed all the time, and when there was an opening, it was usually filled rather quickly. The news directors kept up with tapes from applicants from previous openings and those which came in unsolicited and usually had a good idea of the best candidates before the openings were even posted. I'm afraid these days you really do have more cases of managers holding off hiring to collect year end bonuses. Has the pool of applicants really gotten so bad that hardly anyone is worth hiring? If so, you'd think the ones who are finally hired would be paid handsomely, and that doesn't seem to be happening either.

[interloper]

And I think YOU meant "cojones". "Cajones" is the Spanish word for drawers.

<laughing again> Right you are!

My spelling in Spanish is no where near as good as my speaking ability, as you've so nicely pointed out.

Thanks for clearing that up!

As for the other's who yearn for a past that was brief and now, no more, you must do as we all have.

Adapt or make some hard choices.

It's economics pure and simple. Just like it was back in 1975, 1990 and now soon to be 2008.

None of it stays the same. To assume or expect it to is unrealistic.

For those of us that have "been here before", we know what it will take to survive.

I hope some of the rest of you can also survive with us.

[!]

When I started in this business in the 80s, I worked in a fully-staffed newsroom.

Since that time, I haven't seen one.

Some are much worse than others. But none have had the staff it takes to do the job, or even had all open positions filled.

[interloper]

When I started in this business in the 80s, I worked in a fully-staffed newsroom.

Since that time, I haven't seen one.

Some are much worse than others. But none have had the staff it takes to do the job, or even had all open positions filled.

In the interest of discussion, what does one consider "fully staffed"?

Frankly I think there are a lot of people here who think every local newsroom should be staffed with producers for every show and a photographer for every reporter. Live truck ops for each and every live shot. All working on one story a day at most.

Lots of redundancy at all levels, which is fine, if it is affordable.

Unfortunately I also believe many here do not understand basic business economics. They prefer to blame management for everything they feel SHOULD be a part of a newsroom but want to ignore those economic realities.

What is fully staffed? Seriously! If people believe all local newsrooms have to be filled with fifty to a hundred people all working eight hours on one story, or one show, a day, then I think they need a reality check.

I now my old geezer thoughts of my days in the mid 70's irk some. But the hard truth for many to accept is to put on a bare bones newscast that still shows some level of profit for a station requires many fewer people than they may realize.

The economic pendulum swings back and forth and right now it is in the low revenue side of things. It will swing back the other way in the future, no matter how hard the naysayers want you to believe local TV news is dead everywhere.

Fewer stations will do local news, but that's the way it was back in the '70s and before. It's coming back again. Let's also be honest about the employee pool that's available. There are many more out there wanting to work in television news and they've gotten spoiled with the number of jobs available. Again, sounding like an old fart, when I started we still had plenty of grads but much fewer jobs available. It still didn't mean everyone hired was the "best choice". We still had losers in positions they didn't deserve.

Even with fewer people and the low salaries back then, we did good work. We did work we were proud of and left us wanting to do more. Despite the hardships.

Those hardships are here again and many are finding them unavoidable. Just like we did in my early days.

You can survive and thrive. But don't ever expect it to be easy.

With or without a "fully staffed" newsroom...whatever that means.

[Charlie Brown]

well the question about the applicant pool is an interesting one...especially because you're seeing a lot of kids going through j-school who have a distorted view on where they're going to start and what they're going to be doing.

I remember having a conversation with an aspiring reporter from my alma mater who had designs on using news as a gateway to a correspondent job with E!. When I asked her what she considered to be a small market, she responded "Miami".

So if the argument is that fewer in the applicant pool have the right attitude going into the job search, I'm inclined to agree...there's a difference between applicants that are applicants that are aspiring storytellers and those that are aspiring teevee stars...and you can generally tell that within the first few seconds of the tape. But as far as the amount of training at these kids' hands, absolutely not. The facilities at some of these schools combined with the amount of internships that are available at stations across the country mean that if someone goes in to this with the right attitude (read: head down, mouth shut, ears open) they can learn enough to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

[interloper]

So if the argument is that fewer in the applicant pool have the right attitude going into the job search, I'm inclined to agree...there's a difference between applicants that are applicants that are aspiring storytellers and those that are aspiring teevee stars...and you can generally tell that within the first few seconds of the tape. But as far as the amount of training at these kids' hands, absolutely not. The facilities at some of these schools combined with the amount of internships that are available at stations across the country mean that if someone goes in to this with the right attitude (read: head down, mouth shut, ears open) they can learn enough to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.


Working to separate yourself from the pack is good, but should not be considered automatic just because of training.

Even during my long ago college days we had the same number of TV wannabes who had only one goal, to be on TV, just like today.

In my small Midwestern college J-program we had close to forty graduates in the broadcast J section my senior year. Less than a handful of us actually got jobs in television news. I'd bet the percentage of success in getting employment isn't much different than today because there are a lot more jobs out there...for now.

[DoneThatToo]

Just had a thought, and yes it did hurt.

The OP bemoans the loss of staff and having to do more with less. Then in other posts says he (?) doesn't want to hear about the 'old days' and how it 'used to be'.

Well, isn't that what the OP wants to get back to? It’s just that his old days are not as old as some of our old days.

Anyway. Good question about what is fully staffed.

The answer of course is what management decides is necessary to conduct the business of the day. Management is generally not in the business of pleasing you. It is usually the other way around.

[Charlie Brown]

There isn't a newsroom out there that couldn't benefit from an extra producer, reporter, etc., especially with some stations doing even more shows these days.

However, most if not all of us knew what we were getting into when we signed ourselves up for this business. And if nothing else, being able to do more with less - be it turn a story as a one man band that draws compliments from your colleagues, trump the competition in the books when your staff is stretched thinner than theirs - forces you to take more pride in your work. Yeah doing more with fewer people isn't easy...but when it's all over with and you take a step back to see what you and YOUR team has done...it's actually quite rewarding as well.

[Bureau Chief]

Ahhh cross training......a cover word for "I am not hiring anybody for that postion till the end of the quarter, can you do that job in addition to YOUR job??" While part of the morning show staff, I cross trained on every job I could tackle. I enjoyed the challenge. But pretty soon I was constantly being called to cover other postions that department heads were waiting to fill and my responsibilities became secondary to everyone elses. Sure its great to be a team player and step up to make sure the show gets on the air but our industry has a habit of taking advantage of team players...sometimes to the extreme.

[Slave to the Grind]

Just had a thought, and yes it did hurt.

The OP bemoans the loss of staff and having to do more with less. Then in other posts says he (?) doesn't want to hear about the 'old days' and how it 'used to be'.

Well, isn't that what the OP wants to get back to? It’s just that his old days are not as old as some of our old days.


My old days being 5 months ago... Recent proof that a fully staffed newsroom is doable.

There's no question of work ethic, motivation, or attitude among any of the employees. The problem is that we're being asked to work weekends, back-to-back-to-back. There's a distinct difference between being a hard worker and completely forfeiting your free time.

[interloper]

The problem is that we're being asked to work weekends, back-to-back-to-back. There's a distinct difference between being a hard worker and completely forfeiting your free time.

You must be getting a pile of overtime.

And if you're not...the only one to blame is yourself for putting up with the situation and allowing abuse to happen.

[Slave to the Grind]

You must be getting a pile of overtime.

And if you're not...the only one to blame is yourself for putting up with the situation and allowing abuse to happen.

In the original post, I said that we get compensatory days.

It wouldn't be a problem if we were getting overtime money instead. But you can't use comp days when you are already understaffed. Who's gonna cover for you? We're already covering for people who don't exist.

[interloper]

In the original post, I said that we get compensatory days.

It wouldn't be a problem if we were getting overtime money instead. But you can't use comp days when you are already understaffed. Who's gonna cover for you? We're already covering for people who don't exist.

If you are falling for that game of comp days then the blame falls on you.

Comp days don't equal overtime. Overtime is time and a half. Comp days are one to one and technically illegal. To be legal, they need to give you a day and a half off for every day worked. And even then...

Don't fall for the "you are news management" line either. The courts are clear on who is and isn't management and I can guarantee you are not legally management.

Especially when in your own posts you blame management for the mess you feel you are in now.

It's time you learned to stand up for yourself in a manner that counts.

Posting anonymously on a message board isn't going to solve any of your problems...if solving the problem is what you really want to do.

[Slave to the Grind]

If you are falling for that game of comp days then the blame falls on you.

Comp days don't equal overtime. Overtime is time and a half. Comp days are one to one and technically illegal. To be legal, they need to give you a day and a half off for every day worked. And even then...

Don't fall for the "you are news management" line either. The courts are clear on who is and isn't management and I can guarantee you are not legally management.

Especially when in your own posts you blame management for the mess you feel you are in now.

It's time you learned to stand up for yourself in a manner that counts.

Posting anonymously on a message board isn't going to solve any of your problems...if solving the problem is what you really want to do.

I'm not asking for anything that's completely off the wall. I'm simply asking for them to fix a few minor problems so that we can get back to where we were a few months ago.

The comp days are not a problem when we have a full staff. I really liked the old EP, and he's the one who hired me. I had no problem working for him and have no problems with my contract.

It's really not a "dire" situation, so if it comes off that way, then my apologies. I'm not some idiot kid who thought he was going straight to the top right out of college. I just want them to replace the people who left.

[!]

But you can't use comp days when you are already understaffed. Who's gonna cover for you? We're already covering for people who don't exist.

That's not your problem. You must be compensated in some way, and if the station chooses to give you "comp days," you have the right to take them.

Go to HR, if you must.

[adam & doctor drew]

Don't fall for the "you are news management" line either.

yep.
if you don't have the power to hire or fire anyone, you're not management.

[wx or not]

Maybe I've been around too long, but I've come to that place in my life where I just think "Job's gotta get done, somebody's gotta do it..."

[that's life]

Aren't all newsrooms over-worked and under-paid? That's what I see everywhere. It's not even the news business.
The only place that is over-staffed and over-paid is the White House!

[jackofalltrades]

That dude is telling nothing but the truth!

[FD2BLK]

Aren't all newsrooms over-worked and under-paid? That's what I see everywhere. It's not even the news business.
The only place that is over-staffed and over-paid is the White House!

:cheers:

[Pro]

I've seen it run correctly, and I know that it's possible for everyone to be happy and have a good work ethic at the same time.

You can take your concerns to upper management. Beyond that, either get used to the new situation or quit.

[Galaxian]

Show me a station that isn't understaffed, and I'll show you someone who will eat his hat.

The staffing situation at my current station is pretty decent, given we're a small market. But for now, we're short staffed, thanks in part to the gang bang of people rushing to use up their vacation time at the end of the year. That leaves me wth two reporters and two photographers for the day, until the evening people come in. It's not bad, although recently I only had one dayside reporter. That sucked.

At a previous station, the staffing was somewhat bare bones, but we made do. Hell, at one station, I was the only reporter (granted, this was a radio station).

In all cases, management could care less, as long as the sales people keep bringing in the money. The news department is almost like an appendix -- it's there, but when it gets too large, we cut it out.

[TVMattNYC]

In the interest of discussion, what does one consider "fully staffed"?

Frankly I think there are a lot of people here who think every local newsroom should be staffed with producers for every show and a photographer for every reporter. Live truck ops for each and every live shot. All working on one story a day at most.

Lots of redundancy at all levels, which is fine, if it is affordable.

What is fully staffed? Seriously! If people believe all local newsrooms have to be filled with fifty to a hundred people all working eight hours on one story, or one show, a day, then I think they need a reality check.

I now my old geezer thoughts of my days in the mid 70's irk some. But the hard truth for many to accept is to put on a bare bones newscast that still shows some level of profit for a station requires many fewer people than they may realize.

They CAN afford it.

Most of the network O-and-Os are making profits in the 20% range. The only "businessmen" who make that kind of profit consistently are in the Soprano family.

[!]

They CAN afford it.

Most of the network O-and-Os are making profits in the 20% range. The only "businessmen" who make that kind of profit consistently are in the Soprano family.

...and they've been conditioned to believe that proper staffing, if it results in a 19% profit, is sacrelige.

[Who Cares???]

to put on a bare bones newscast that still shows some level of profit for a station requires many fewer people than they may realize.



It in fact does get worse. One station in town (a former O&O), has eliminated all but the most essential jobs. Even that is not enough to satisfy the corporate bottom line. In it's newest incarnation, the production staff is being replaced with robotic cameras (not necessarly new), but also the directors, tape (of course) editors and operaters, audio, graphics, teleprompter, and most engineering postions are being eliminated. The newscast production is to be handled by the shows producer. As if writing the show is not enough, they will now be required to edit video and handle all aspects of the newscast, jobs which historically had been handled by a mutitude of specialized employees. Postions, often at the cost of years of experience, that carefully crafted and presented a clean, polished, professional newscast.

It looks like these "producers" will be required to do all of this at their current salaries.

I want to know who turns on the lights, changes burned out lightbulbs while on the air, or who places the microphones on the interview guests properly? Who lets those guests in the building (after normal weekday hours), or makes sure they don't walk in front of a live camera? All while backtiming a live newscast and adjusting blocks and story order, dealing with reporters and live shots, all during the breaks? Better yet, when this new wiz-bang computer system shuts down moments before air, what happens then?

I see major disasters on the horizon, with the viewers sitting at home wondering why they're watching "Network" news channels, or whatever, instead of the regular local news.

The "good ole' days" are as recent as yesterday.

[jackofalltrades]

It in fact does get worse. One station in town (a former O&O), has eliminated all but the most essential jobs. Even that is not enough to satisfy the corporate bottom line. In it's newest incarnation, the production staff is being replaced with robotic cameras (not necessarly new), but also the directors, tape (of course) editors and operaters, audio, graphics, teleprompter, and most engineering postions are being eliminated. The newscast production is to be handled by the shows producer. As if writing the show is not enough, they will now be required to edit video and handle all aspects of the newscast, jobs which historically had been handled by a mutitude of specialized employees. Postions, often at the cost of years of experience, that carefully crafted and presented a clean, polished, professional newscast.

It looks like these "producers" will be required to do all of this at their current salaries.

I want to know who turns on the lights, changes burned out lightbulbs while on the air, or who places the microphones on the interview guests properly? Who lets those guests in the building (after normal weekday hours), or makes sure they don't walk in front of a live camera? All while backtiming a live newscast and adjusting blocks and story order, dealing with reporters and live shots, all during the breaks? Better yet, when this new wiz-bang computer system shuts down moments before air, what happens then?

I see major disasters on the horizon, with the viewers sitting at home wondering why they're watching "Network" news channels, or whatever, instead of the regular local news.

The "good ole' days" are as recent as yesterday.
Yeah we made the transition to the ignite system.:rolleyes: It has shut down right before or during air plenty of times. You know what we do when it happens? If we don't decide to just let the anchors read news from the newsroom camera with no video,we run this tape of packages done by one of our reporters who has the longest running weekley segment in our market. Imagine breaking news happens and your comp has all the video and information,but you either have just your anchor reading scripts with no video,or a package about a guy who grows the largest peaches in the south.:rolleyes: I understand that being understaffed is usual,but you shouldn't have people working 6 and 7 days swing shifts and all that.

[Who Cares???]

Yeah we made the transition to the ignite system.



I retired a few years back, but still maintain contact with several people from the different stations in town. I didn't know the name of the system, but it's got quite a few people in town a little on the paranoid side. Alot of people who had been in TV for more than a quarter century, are now, all out of work.

How widespread is this system?

[jackofalltrades]

I retired a few years back, but still maintain contact with several people from the different stations in town. I didn't know the name of the system, but it's got quite a few people in town a little on the paranoid side. Alot of people who had been in TV for more than a quarter century, are now, all out of work.

How widespread is this system?
We are apparently the first station to use it, and other stations are looking at us to see if they want it based on our experience with it.

[PSUWx]

It's more common than you think. We use it for our shows too...have been for a couple years now.

But...to give you an example as to why it's going to stick around and be more common...

Last year WHDH in Boston had a total ignite meltdown right before their 11PM newscast. In the end, after running back-to-back breaks, going to black, and mis-run a few packages and VOs....they cut to MSNBC in progress for the last 10 minutes of the show.

...and still won the time-slot in the ratings.

[Doubledeez]

We have the Thunder (pinnacle...who, by the way, no longer exists) system to play out our video. It is a constant struggle with this thing. We had the beta version, and had to work out all the wrinkles with it for Pinnacle. Also, no training or tech support because our general manager at the time waived it to save a few G's. We spend six months with the Thunder (or as I like to call it, the Thud-ner) crashing in the middle of the newscast. I can't tell you how many times I had to ask our Wx guy to fill time while we re-booted the system, sometimes up to 5 minutes of Wx. He was great and a life-saver. They fired him for his service...to much money.
This is the wave of the future. Our former GM gaining a reputation as an Ax-man. Cut about 20 jobs at our shop, then a few years later went to Hawaii and cut jobs there. But the bottom line got better, so he'll always have a job. Our news is a shadow of it's former self....but ratings are still #1, but a huge margin!

[carolinachik]

In my last newsroom, we lost 2 producers within 6 weeks. Management had plenty of warning on both of them...but didn't get anyone in house to replace either one of them for 3 MONTHS!! So basically the rest of the show producers were working six day weeks filling in for them while managers took their sweet time finding "the right person" to hire.

We finally had a sit down meeting with the ND and AND, asking why the Executive Producer and morning show EP couldn't pitch in and pick up a shift. Well, once each one of them had to fill in on a weekend, management suddenly made two quick hires! Strange how that happened.

[MaryRichards]

Hello all.

I'm a producer in a middle sized market, 90-120 range. Recently we lost an executive producer, producer, anchor, director, and photographer. This was all within the last three months.

It took us three months to hire the executive producer, but we still don't have a new director or photog, and the anchor isn't being replaced.

We have 8 producer shifts and 7 producers, which means we've all been having to rotate to cover for the producer who hasn't been replaced. In addition, the holiday and sweeps schedule is/was a nightmare because we can't afford to have anyone else take off. .

Hi there. First off - I'm surprised you call a market somewhere between 90 and 120 a mid market. I would say a mid market is more typically something between the 50s and 70s.

I produce at the number one shop in a mid 30s market. We have great ratings and we are making money - but we do not fill positions quickly. I have never worked in a newsroom that fills positions quickly.

Unfortunately it's something you get used do. That and working holidays...

Be grateful you have enough time to fly home and see your family. Not everyone gets to do that.

I don't know if your disappointment and disbelief is an indication of your inexperience or inexposure. Spend 10 years in the biz and you won't be surprised by anything.

[TVMattNYC]

Hi there. First off - I'm surprised you call a market somewhere between 90 and 120 a mid market. I would say a mid market is more typically something between the 50s and 70s.

I produce at the number one shop in a mid 30s market. We have great ratings and we are making money - but we do not fill positions quickly. I have never worked in a newsroom that fills positions quickly.

Unfortunately it's something you get used do. That and working holidays...

Be grateful you have enough time to fly home and see your family. Not everyone gets to do that.

I don't know if your disappointment and disbelief is an indication of your inexperience or inexposure. Spend 10 years in the biz and you won't be surprised by anything.

Even funnier is when they say they work in a "top 60s" market.

Reminds me of that line in the Goldie Hawn movie "Protocol" when she's being paraded around town and the announcer lists among her "accomplishments" that she "graduated high school in the top 4/5ths of her class!"

[Slave to the Grind]

Hi there. First off - I'm surprised you call a market somewhere between 90 and 120 a mid market. I would say a mid market is more typically something between the 50s and 70s.

I produce at the number one shop in a mid 30s market. We have great ratings and we are making money - but we do not fill positions quickly. I have never worked in a newsroom that fills positions quickly.

Unfortunately it's something you get used do. That and working holidays...

Be grateful you have enough time to fly home and see your family. Not everyone gets to do that.

I don't know if your disappointment and disbelief is an indication of your inexperience or inexposure. Spend 10 years in the biz and you won't be surprised by anything.

Welcome to TV! Yea I know, I already covered that in my first four posts.

[MaryRichards]

Yes - and you obviously have a chip on your shoulder, too, newbie.

[AutoTranz]

I retired a few years back, but still maintain contact with several people from the different stations in town. I didn't know the name of the system, but it's got quite a few people in town a little on the paranoid side. Alot of people who had been in TV for more than a quarter century, are now, all out of work.

How widespread is this system?

http://www.tvnewsday.com/microsite/grass_valley/images/whsm_1.jpg

That would be the Grass Valley Ignite. It was built to be handled by one person, and the "brain" controls other devices such as its very basic and prosumer-styled audio console, robotic cameras, video servers, CG systems and other devices better handled by PEOPLE. This system, and other similar systems (Ross Overdrive) are infesting TV stations across the country. It's getting fairly widespread.

It was built to "do more with less", so sleazy TV executives all across America saw a chance to lay-off the station techs in favor of a "brain" that tells the arm to do perform an action from :03-07, and the leg perform another action from :07 to :15. Now, GVG (grass valley group, now named, "Thomson Grass") has found a way for all of this to be done in high-definition. This is even better news for our sleazy, rich buddies in black suits with Blackberry phones that track the latest company stock.

But the greaseballs that install this problem-riddled piece of technology try their best to convince those involved in the "changeover" that it will improve the workflow See this one-sided article from the good folks at Grass Valley (http://www.tvnewsday.com/microsite/grass_valley/case_studies/ksnw-dt_ignites.html).

The gospel they preach sounds something like this: "we're not looking to lay anyone off" or "the CG op will now be able to focus on creating graphics without worrying about running the machine during the newscast" and the "tape operator is free to perform 'other duties' ". "Other duties" usually means a trip to the local unemployment office. The douchebags in fine Armani suits will then force the GM and ND to make "staff reallocations"...in other words, the GM and ND will be forced to make the appropriate staff cuts.

So TD Joe or Chyron/Tape/Cam Operator Jim now has to find a way to feed their families at Christmas.

This is what a relative of mine is facing at the moment...and I may be in the same boat sooner or later. All technical production staff members at stations across the country are staring down the barrell of a big gun, held by sleazy, greasy, lying, greedy, deceitful broadcasting executives. Hopefully we can all find other work and stick it to them before they stick it to us.

[AutoTranz]

It's more common than you think. We use it for our shows too...have been for a couple years now.

But...to give you an example as to why it's going to stick around and be more common...

Last year WHDH in Boston had a total ignite meltdown right before their 11PM newscast. In the end, after running back-to-back breaks, going to black, and mis-run a few packages and VOs....they cut to MSNBC in progress for the last 10 minutes of the show.

...and still won the time-slot in the ratings.

“Television is like your great uncle Bill. Nobody likes him, but everyone watches when he drops his pants and dances.”

[Pro]

The question about control room automation shouldn't be if it allows more to be done with less. If it causes jobs to be eliminated. That's been going on in all industries for over a century. It's called "progress".

The question should be if it works. To that, I can't say. Our corporate tech VP says it doesn't, at least not to the point where he'd recommend making the huge capital investment. He says he's not convinced of its reliability yet.

But saying that it's "bad" merely because it causes job cuts is the same lament heard in industrialized societies for over a hundred years.

[AutoTranz]

The question about control room automation shouldn't be if it allows more to be done with less. If it causes jobs to be eliminated. That's been going on in all industries for over a century. It's called "progress".

The question should be if it works. To that, I can't say. Our corporate tech VP says it doesn't, at least not to the point where he'd recommend making the huge capital investment. He says he's not convinced of its reliability yet.

But saying that it's "bad" merely because it causes job cuts is the same lament heard in industrialized societies for over a hundred years.

I didn't say it was bad. Hell, if I were one of the few chosen to run the automation, I'd be delighted to work with the technology. At least, until the system proved that it's unreliable. That's when the non-technical-minded station folk lay the blame on the operator. "If it cost the station X-million dollars...the problems MUST be operator errors."

The only bad part about the technology itself is its usually not worth that much money if you dont know 100% of what on-air results you're going to get. One of WPXI's newscast crashed to the point of it turning into an outdoor LIVE SHOT. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_OHdCQa8bs)

My problem with control room automation lies in ownership groups and station management NOT being upfront about the plans to implement the technologies. They'd rather "cross that bridge when they get to it".

I have more respect for the Ku Klux Klan, simply because they let you know up front they are a group of hateful bigots.

[Slave to the Grind]

Yes - and you obviously have a chip on your shoulder, too, newbie.

with due reason

All you veterans out there spread this doom and gloom all the time, and it just sounds so pathetic and tired. If it's that bad, then why stay in the business?

I'm excited to be here. I'm fortunate to be here. I also worked hard to be here and I want to learn and be around people who are enthusiastic.

I left my family and friends 12 hours away to come here. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't feel like I had the right attitude for the career. I was excited to work for the EP who hired me, and now he's not here anymore.

I'm looking for someone to work with and learn from, not someone who will laugh it off and say, "newbie".

[interloper]

with due reason

All you veterans out there spread this doom and gloom all the time, and it just sounds so pathetic and tired. If it's that bad, then why stay in the business?

I'm excited to be here. I'm fortunate to be here. I also worked hard to be here and I want to learn and be around people who are enthusiastic.

I left my family and friends 12 hours away to come here. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't feel like I had the right attitude for the career. I was excited to work for the EP who hired me, and now he's not here anymore.

I'm looking for someone to work with and learn from, not someone who will laugh it off and say, "newbie".

Doom and gloom? No, just some honest advice to someone who obviously is early on the learning curve.

You are looking to learn from others, which is fine, but that can also be a trap. You seem to want/expect to continue your school experience at work, and that's just not realistic.

This is a business. Not a school.

Yes it's nice to learn from others but it's time for you to understand that your learning, now, has to come from inside yourself. Not relying on others to keep you happy and motivated.

Too many want to keep that school lifestyle/attitude (rah, rah) and then get disappointed when people aren't rushing up to them as teachers to hold their hands. The only grade that counts now is the one on your paycheck. Keep getting that check and you "pass".

No other awards count.

You'll do fine. All you need is a more mature outlook on life and a realistic basis for your expectations concerning this business.

[Slave to the Grind]

This is a business. Not a school.

Yes it's nice to learn from others but it's time for you to understand that your learning, now, has to come from inside yourself. Not relying on others to keep you happy and motivated.

Too many want to keep that school lifestyle/attitude (rah, rah) and then get disappointed when people aren't rushing up to them as teachers to hold their hands. The only grade that counts now is the one on your paycheck. Keep getting that check and you "pass".

No other awards count.

You'll do fine. All you need is a more mature outlook on life and a realistic basis for your expectations concerning this business.

It's not a business to me. I didn't get into it for the money. If the only thing that matters is a paycheck, then I'd be in Pharmacy school right now.

I graduated looking to start a career, not to find a job. I'm 23 years old, and I'm NOT going to live from paycheck to paycheck just taking care of the bills.

I'm not asking anyone to hold my hand, I'm not asking anyone to blow sunshine up my butt either. I just want some reinforcement, be it positive or negative.

The "rah rah" attitude is what more people need to have. The desire to become a better producer and advance my career is what I'm interested in.

I could be making more money in my high school job, but I wanted to begin a career in journalism, not in dish washing.

[!]

It's not a business to me.
But it is a business to the management of your TV station.

And that is their motivation for anything they do, no matter how it affects you.

[interloper]

It's not a business to me. I didn't get into it for the money. If the only thing that matters is a paycheck, then I'd be in Pharmacy school right now.

I graduated looking to start a career, not to find a job. I'm 23 years old, and I'm NOT going to live from paycheck to paycheck just taking care of the bills.

I'm not asking anyone to hold my hand, I'm not asking anyone to blow sunshine up my butt either. I just want some reinforcement, be it positive or negative.

The "rah rah" attitude is what more people need to have. The desire to become a better producer and advance my career is what I'm interested in.

I could be making more money in my high school job, but I wanted to begin a career in journalism, not in dish washing.


Then, I am sorry to say, you are in for a reality check.

Those who run the station are in it as a business. For you to try and ignore that says so much about you and your future.

Feel free to treat this as a personal hobby. That is your right. But do not be surprised when those in control, both at your station and in the real world of the business marketplace, don't fall in line with your dreams and ideals.

Many of us do have families and bills to pay.

We know for a fact this is a business and that we are hired as employees to do a job. That does not mean we don't enjoy what we do or that we don't "care". We do!

What we have done is balance our personal pride with real life responsibilities to achieve happiness and long term success.

Hopefully, some day, you will too.

[Produce man]

with due reason

All you veterans out there spread this doom and gloom all the time, and it just sounds so pathetic and tired. If it's that bad, then why stay in the business?

I'm excited to be here. I'm fortunate to be here. I also worked hard to be here and I want to learn and be around people who are enthusiastic.

I left my family and friends 12 hours away to come here. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't feel like I had the right attitude for the career. I was excited to work for the EP who hired me, and now he's not here anymore.

I'm looking for someone to work with and learn from, not someone who will laugh it off and say, "newbie".Make that naive, young newbie.

[Slave to the Grind]

Make that naive, young newbie.

Come up with a real response next time.

[Produce man]

Come up with a real response next time.That was as real as naive newbies warrant.

[Slave to the Grind]

That was as real as naive newbies warrant.

This is a perfect demonstration of the attitude I'm talking about. Instead of addressing an issue, it's simply laughed off with the "you'll learn" angle.

I guess the whole point is to just kill off the enthusiasm and interest of recent graduates.

Kick it old school as much as you want. I'd rather be a naive, young newbie than some lame buzzkill.

[depth of field]

slave,

you gotta realize that if your station is owned by a publicly-traded company, it's always about the money.........ALWAYS........shhhh......ALWAYS. the only way around it, is to find a family-run/private station to work for, and that's nearly impossible these days. i work at the #3 station in a 2 station small market, and the sales manager (basically) runs the place. the GM was a former salesman, and the ND is more of a manager, than a journalist. in fact, within 3 months of taking over she canned our EP who was a TRUE journalist. we still mourn his loss.

you wanna change it? play their game, get an MBA in your spare time, and join the managment in some capacity. then when you have enough power and a following, can the starch-shirts and hire who you know will be right. or do what turner did.....start your own network (just don't let them kick you off the board)

[MaryRichards]

Slave, I like your brand of rose-colored-glasses altruism.

It's nice to wanna be a part of a team that fosters encouragement, growth and professional prosperity - really it is. And in another place and time, that was my desire, too.

Then I managed to survive several house cleanings.

I spent the first six years out of school in the same shop. By the end I was on my third GM, fourth news director, third EP and fifth main anchor team combination. I saw managment sell some good people down the river in exchange for people who look pretty on tee vee - and I suppose that's what made me a little jaded.

Fast forward several years. I'm in a much, much bigger shop and I can cut the in-house competition with a knife. I don't just compete with the producer across the street, I have to fight tooth and nail with the producer across the newsroom to make my show better than hers (and the three other dayside producers).

Management is focused on branding and overtime expenses and buying new live trucks - they have to be, because this market is a dog fight. That means my ND doesn't have the time to review a tape to teach me the finer points of producing.

And he shouldn't have to - because he expects me to be aggressive and independent.

I've been in this business long enough. I've watched local news even longer. I know what looks good and I know what I do well. My goal every day is to try and bring those two concepts together, and somehow introduce a fresh spin.

Nobody's holding my hand through the process.

PS - please don't mistake my jaded undertones for disinterest in the business. I love my job. If I wanted to make money, I would have gone into sales.

But make no mistake about it - this business is like a bad boyfriend. It will beat you up, make you cry and push you to the edge... and you'll keep coming back for more.

[AutoTranz]

this business is like a bad boyfriend. It will beat you up, make you cry and push you to the edge... and you'll keep coming back for more.


Why is that? Why not just leave him? (not speaking in terms of the 'job', but the 'boyfriend')

[Slave to the Grind]

Slave, I like your brand of rose-colored-glasses altruism.

It's nice to wanna be a part of a team that fosters encouragement, growth and professional prosperity - really it is. And in another place and time, that was my desire, too.

Then I managed to survive several house cleanings.

I spent the first six years out of school in the same shop. By the end I was on my third GM, fourth news director, third EP and fifth main anchor team combination. I saw managment sell some good people down the river in exchange for people who look pretty on tee vee - and I suppose that's what made me a little jaded.

Fast forward several years. I'm in a much, much bigger shop and I can cut the in-house competition with a knife. I don't just compete with the producer across the street, I have to fight tooth and nail with the producer across the newsroom to make my show better than hers (and the three other dayside producers).

Management is focused on branding and overtime expenses and buying new live trucks - they have to be, because this market is a dog fight. That means my ND doesn't have the time to review a tape to teach me the finer points of producing.

And he shouldn't have to - because he expects me to be aggressive and independent.

I've been in this business long enough. I've watched local news even longer. I know what looks good and I know what I do well. My goal every day is to try and bring those two concepts together, and somehow introduce a fresh spin.

Nobody's holding my hand through the process.

PS - please don't mistake my jaded undertones for disinterest in the business. I love my job. If I wanted to make money, I would have gone into sales.

But make no mistake about it - this business is like a bad boyfriend. It will beat you up, make you cry and push you to the edge... and you'll keep coming back for more.

Thanks for the honest reply, appreciate it.