View Full Version : Best Stations?
TVNewsSpy
Jun 16th 2008, 06:29 AM
Just curious... if market size and geography weren't a factor, which stations are known as the best shops? In other words, if you could work anywhere you wanted - without regard to location - where would you want to go?
imcrazy
Jun 16th 2008, 06:53 AM
I notice it's been a couple hours and nobody has responded. This is a really tough question to ask. It might be easier to ask the worst and then the ones not mentioned are the good ones.
Quagmire
Jun 16th 2008, 07:03 AM
Knop.
The Mockingbird
Jun 16th 2008, 07:37 AM
This is a silly question for two reasons:
First, although people do move around a lot, no one person is going to be able to have the comparative experiences to definitively say where the best stations are.
Second, refer to the Mockingbird's general rule of thumb about "best of" lists: They're usually completely arbitrary.
However, what someone could do is list owners/groups that have sucked, and ones that haven't. It could help. I'll start people off:
Sinclair Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 9
Reasons: Bad Pay, Bad Contracts, Bad Equipment.
Positives: Sinclair actually saw light, eliminated "The Point".
You might as well get paid in the giant stone coins of the Yap islanders instead of taking in your weekly paycheck with Sinclair, since both are equally useful to you.
If you sign on with Sinclair, a small clause in the contract allows management to ass rape you with the tattered shards of your immortal soul during a contract dispute.
Nexstar Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 9
Reasons: Bad Pay, Bad Contracts, Bad Equipment.
Bonus: Shares of stock now on par with gallon of gas.
Also known as the Deathstar, Perry Sook has never met a crappy station he didn't like. Or buy for several million dollars of other people's money. Consequently, to prevent the entire Nexstarrian Universe from collapsing into a singularity, the stations will have to increase their profit margins for the next 138.4 years.
Which would be fine if the industry wasn't already taking a bigger dump than Roseanne Barr after eating a bushel of Florida Tomatoes. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening. So expect sometime in the future for Nexstar stations to quietly become mini Lord of the Flies type enclaves as Promotions sacrifices national sales to the altar of the pig god.
Hearst-Argyle Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 6
Reasons: No Free Will
Bonus: That One blond hot DC Correspondant
Hearst-Argyle are kind of like the Borg of TV News: they like to come into unique markets, buy a station, and transform it into a pale, dull, colorless version of itself. With matching graphics.
Watching a Hearst-Argyle Broadcast is like watching Paint dry, sure, but at least you'll be comforted by the fact that people in a couple of dozen other markets are watching very similar paint dry.
Their websites have the unique properties of having absolutely no substance or real information, while at the same time blinding your eyes with information overload. If scientists could figure out how to turn Hearst-Argyle websites into food, no one would ever be fat again.
That's off the top of my head, you're welcome.
Now you know! And knowing's half the battle.
RollTide98
Jun 16th 2008, 09:47 AM
I don't think it's silly at all.
Here are some of my picks... Partially because of the stations themselves... Partially because of the quality of life in their respective communities.
1.) WBOC-TV: Salisbury, MD: A great station in one of my favorite parts of the country. Delmarva offers a quality of life that's hard to find anywhere else.
2.) KTUU-TV: Anchorage, AK: What a great adventure to live in Alaska for a while, or longer. I just hope Schurz keeps the station going strong. Admittedly, I'm concerned about the ND leaving.
3.) and 4.) KHOU-TV and KTRK-TV: Houston, TX: I've just always liked those stations, at least from the outside looking in.
TVNewsSpy
Jun 16th 2008, 09:57 AM
This is a silly question for two reasons:
First, although people do move around a lot, no one person is going to be able to have the comparative experiences to definitively say where the best stations are.
Second, refer to the Mockingbird's general rule of thumb about "best of" lists: They're usually completely arbitrary.
However, what someone could do is list owners/groups that have sucked, and ones that haven't. It could help. I'll start people off:
Sinclair Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 9
Reasons: Bad Pay, Bad Contracts, Bad Equipment.
Positives: Sinclair actually saw light, eliminated "The Point".
You might as well get paid in the giant stone coins of the Yap islanders instead of taking in your weekly paycheck with Sinclair, since both are equally useful to you.
If you sign on with Sinclair, a small clause in the contract allows management to ass rape you with the tattered shards of your immortal soul during a contract dispute.
Nexstar Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 9
Reasons: Bad Pay, Bad Contracts, Bad Equipment.
Bonus: Shares of stock now on par with gallon of gas.
Also known as the Deathstar, Perry Sook has never met a crappy station he didn't like. Or buy for several million dollars of other people's money. Consequently, to prevent the entire Nexstarrian Universe from collapsing into a singularity, the stations will have to increase their profit margins for the next 138.4 years.
Which would be fine if the industry wasn't already taking a bigger dump than Roseanne Barr after eating a bushel of Florida Tomatoes. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening. So expect sometime in the future for Nexstar stations to quietly become mini Lord of the Flies type enclaves as Promotions sacrifices national sales to the altar of the pig god.
Hearst-Argyle Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 6
Reasons: No Free Will
Bonus: That One blond hot DC Correspondant
Hearst-Argyle are kind of like the Borg of TV News: they like to come into unique markets, buy a station, and transform it into a pale, dull, colorless version of itself. With matching graphics.
Watching a Hearst-Argyle Broadcast is like watching Paint dry, sure, but at least you'll be comforted by the fact that people in a couple of dozen other markets are watching very similar paint dry.
Their websites have the unique properties of having absolutely no substance or real information, while at the same time blinding your eyes with information overload. If scientists could figure out how to turn Hearst-Argyle websites into food, no one would ever be fat again.
That's off the top of my head, you're welcome.
Now you know! And knowing's half the battle.
Frankly, I skimmed over your post. People are so quick to complain on this forum... I'm not interested in hearing any more complaints. It's boring and usually bitter. Also complaints often come from people who just couldn't hack it at the place they're bashing.
My question is simple... what stations are known as good places to work? The reason can vary from "good place for storytelling" to "ratings leader" to "pays the best." I'm interested in hearing some positive qualities for a change. Just curious.
adam & doctor drew
Jun 16th 2008, 10:00 AM
Frankly, I skimmed over your post.
I was going to post.... then figured you'd just skim over it anyway.
Jane Craig
Jun 16th 2008, 10:01 AM
WISC, Madison, WI
Stack It
Jun 16th 2008, 01:16 PM
Hard to live in the past. Even the best stations with great legacies are becoming shadows of themselves. Storytelling is becoming a lost art as have the days of the NPPA top notch videography.
Give me a newsroom free of consultants, story quotas, required live shots, and news holes the size of Texas. I want managers who understand the job, have solid news judgment, and don't worry about counting the beans. Just let us cover the news as we see fit. I won't touch the budget issue, because we all know how important the bottom line has become to managers.
TVNewsSpy
Jun 16th 2008, 03:37 PM
I was going to post.... then figured you'd just skim over it anyway.
His post was obviously all complaints - and in the context of my question he essentially posted spam. And you followed his pointless lead.
Stack It
Jun 16th 2008, 03:54 PM
In other words you have no answer to my question?
You want call letters? Here: KTVU, KARE, WCCO, WISC, WISN, WISH, KING, and that's just the beginning of the list.
Best station is a loose term. There are a lot of things that define what is a good station. Oh, and I work at one of those...
Emily Latella
Jun 16th 2008, 03:58 PM
Shell, BP, Chevron.
I like the stations with the week old hot dogs on those turny roller cookers thingys and the 5 liter strawberry prozac slushie. Month old Little Debbie snacks and Slim Jims that expired before Jim Morrison died.
TVNewsSpy
Jun 16th 2008, 05:12 PM
You want call letters? Here: KTVU, KARE, WCCO, WISC, WISN, WISH, KING, and that's just the beginning of the list.
Best station is a loose term. There are a lot of things that define what is a good station. Oh, and I work at one of those...
An intentional loose term so no one would feel "boxed in." An explanation of why you feel the station is one of the "good ones" would be appreciated.
As a sidenote, I'm not looking for a job - just curious where people have had good experiences and why.
adam & doctor drew
Jun 16th 2008, 05:47 PM
His post was obviously all complaints - and in the context of my question he essentially posted spam. And you followed his pointless lead.
you're pretty angry/cocky/hostile for someone who posted on here ASKING people to help you with something.
hence, half the "responses" to this thread are from you.
was it your goal to offend people and be mostly ignored, or is it just a natural gift you have?
(angry/cocky/hostile response to follow, I'm sure).
ThisJustIn
Jun 16th 2008, 08:28 PM
WWL in New Orleans. Market leader, well-respected among viewers. And devotes more than 1:30 to some stories.
ewink
Jun 16th 2008, 11:51 PM
KBBL, Springfield.
The Mockingbird
Jun 17th 2008, 03:46 AM
If I run into a station that rises above the mediocrity of the medium on a daily basis, I'll be sure to let you know.
There don't appear to be any in DC, though.
kmfdmatt
Jun 17th 2008, 03:51 AM
KBBL, Springfield.
good one! Went over my sleepy head a few times though
His post was obviously all complaints - and in the context of my question he essentially posted spam. And you followed his pointless lead.Dang, son, what's the deal? You come here asking for free information, then get all upset when it isn't given exactly as you specified.
I'm surprised anyone bothers to help you at all.
TVNewsSpy
Jun 17th 2008, 07:43 AM
KBBL, Springfield.
Doh! Good one!
SpxGrunt
Jun 17th 2008, 06:11 PM
http://chud.com/nextraimages/zebra2.jpg
Ice Station Zebra where the average shot length is 7 seconds.
luvtosleep
Jun 17th 2008, 06:29 PM
Can somone please explain "KBBL Springfield" to me?:o I don't get the joke..
Roy Hobbs
Jun 17th 2008, 06:54 PM
http://chud.com/nextraimages/zebra2.jpg
Ice Station Zebra where the average shot length is 7 seconds.
When Hanson wasn't careful he almost got shot by Jones.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/Ice_Station_Zebra_McGoohan_Hudon.jpg/180px-Ice_Station_Zebra_McGoohan_Hudon.jpg
Jane Craig
Jun 17th 2008, 07:18 PM
Can somone please explain "KBBL Springfield" to me?:o I don't get the joke..
Ask Kent Brockman.
SpxGrunt
Jun 17th 2008, 08:24 PM
Can somone please explain "KBBL Springfield" to me?:o I don't get the joke..
Too bad your internets don't get the Google.
luvtosleep
Jun 17th 2008, 09:29 PM
Too bad your internets don't get the Google.
In the time it took you to write that line, you could've just answered my question!
In the time it took you to write that line, you could've just answered my question!
In the time it took you to chastise him, you could have used Google and looked it up.
ISTHISTHINGON?
Jun 18th 2008, 10:42 AM
In the time it took you to write that line, you could've just answered my question!
Sounds like fun. Here's a hint.
"Eat my shorts man!"
"Why you little...!"
wx4svr
Jun 18th 2008, 01:08 PM
If I had to pick a local station for Louisville ... defiantly 100% WAVE (the others are beyond sucking)
If I had to choose nationally, ... I think it would be KSN for weather coverage and (hard choice) KOCO or KING for news coverage.
That's just my 2 Cents.
luvtosleep
Jun 18th 2008, 02:26 PM
In the time it took you to chastise him, you could have used Google and looked it up.
"The Simpsons," Now wouldn't that have been just a lot less typing for you??:rolleyes:
portinfru
Jun 18th 2008, 03:51 PM
I've never worked in those markets, but lived in the Indy market for a while. From what I see, WTHR in Indy and WBNS in Columbus are a couple of really top-notch operations... Heritage, quality local programming, ratings, and financial strength. While like all stations, I'm sure they have their flaws, I'd definitely jump at the opportunity to work at either place.
"The Simpsons," Now wouldn't that have been just a lot less typing for you??:rolleyes:
Sure, but it wouldn't have made the point nearly as well.
AutoTranz
Jun 19th 2008, 02:35 PM
KBBL, Springfield.
Not so fast....
http://www.quahog5news.com/content/wallpaper/newsspank-640.gif
AutoTranz
Jun 19th 2008, 02:44 PM
Hearst-Argyle Broadcasting
Suck Factor: 6
Reasons: No Free Will
Bonus: That One blond hot DC Correspondant
Hearst-Argyle are kind of like the Borg of TV News: they like to come into unique markets, buy a station, and transform it into a pale, dull, colorless version of itself. With matching graphics.
Watching a Hearst-Argyle Broadcast is like watching Paint dry, sure, but at least you'll be comforted by the fact that people in a couple of dozen other markets are watching very similar paint dry.
Their websites have the unique properties of having absolutely no substance or real information, while at the same time blinding your eyes with information overload. If scientists could figure out how to turn Hearst-Argyle websites into food, no one would ever be fat again.
This is the first time I've heard someone complain about H-A. Must be a sign of the times...
I'd like to know which ownership groups are NOT forcing each of its stations to conform to a certain cookie-cutter template (graphics, music, set design, set design, website & branding).
I'm not going to name-drop, but some groups spend entirely too much energy/money on making sure all of their properties look & sound identical to one another, Why not let the station personnel decide on these things?
CKMD
Jun 20th 2008, 09:03 AM
The one I am working at - and the next station I go to will be the best...and so on.
Hard_reign2004
Jun 20th 2008, 10:52 AM
WWL in New Orleans. Market leader, well-respected among viewers. And devotes more than 1:30 to some stories.
especially devotes more than a buck thirty to any stories involving cute animals. ugly animals? You're on your own!
Jax
Jun 20th 2008, 11:19 AM
Too bad your internets don't get the Google.
Post of the week!
The Mockingbird
Jun 24th 2008, 05:07 AM
This is the first time I've heard someone complain about H-A. Must be a sign of the times...
I'd like to know which ownership groups are NOT forcing each of its stations to conform to a certain cookie-cutter template (graphics, music, set design, set design, website & branding).
I'm not going to name-drop, but some groups spend entirely too much energy/money on making sure all of their properties look & sound identical to one another, Why not let the station personnel decide on these things?
H/A's partnership with IBS was (is?) no less than disastrous. It produced amateurish websites with tons of automated links, while at the same time, making it nearly impossible to find the latest headlines.
The graphics package was completely uninspired.
HA Consultants - big surprise here - failed to understand that what is important or successful in New York City is not necessarily going to be either in other parts of the nation.
Nanook of the North
Jun 24th 2008, 05:36 PM
WKRP in Cincinnati? just kiddin.
WRAL
WTVF
KTRK
WXYZ
WLS
KUSA
KGO
WSB
KCCI
WBNS
WFAA
KUSA
Your information is out of date. With staff cutbacks leading to a sweatshop environment, and the addition of one-man-bands and the idea that everyone can shoot, this is sadly, NOT the shop it was five or ten years ago.