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Thursday, November 02, 2006

ABC Takes One, Two and Three!


Nielsen ratings, Oct. 23- Oct. 29
USA Today October 31, 2006 Top broadcast Shows
Rank/Season average/Show title/Network/Viewers in millions

1. 2 Desperate Housewives ABC 21.2
2. 4 Dancing With the Stars ABC 20.7
3. 6 Dancing With the Stars results ABC 20.0
4. 5 CSI: Miami CBS 17.8
5. 7 CSI: NY CBS 17.4
6. 7 Sunday Night Football NBC 17.3
7. 10 Lost ABC 17.1
8. 3 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS 16.8
8. 9 Criminal Minds CBS 16.8
10. 17 60 Minutes CBS 16.5

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Want To Really Wakeup The Political Establisment Next Tuesday? Vote Out All Incumbents…Regardless of Party.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whats going on at 35? I saw one of their reporters, Kim Thomas, on WJET tonight. She was on 35 just last week. Don't reporters have a non-compete clause?

WSEE seems to be losing an awful lot of people lately.

I guess these reporters left for greener pastures and a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks?

Are they - 35 - on their last legs? Still no Digital and now a mass exodus of talent. Will they still be on air come 1 Jan?

Jack Tirak said...

"Guess things aren't as rosy at WSEE as people were led to believe!?"

Things were rosy? That is new to me.

Anonymous said...

I wish to remain unidentified. If you think things are bad now just wait another month.

The current on-air staff will look drastically different.

The future is bleak and it's gonna get bleaker......

Anonymous said...

I always thought TV stations had on-air people under contract. Perhaps after WSEE's big mistake giving two old anchors huge contracts that produced no positive rating results, they've learned a lesson. The downside to that is apparently young fresh bright talented people like Kim Thomas, are free to run with a winner like JET. I saw her tonight too...nice job. I wonder who will be next?

Jack Tirak said...

Can't blame the current management for the what the previous owners did. I don't think it was a wrong move just badly promoted at the time. However, current management has made the situation worse when it could have made it better.

Erie needs a challenging news operation again and some competition. Duapolies make that difficult to accomplish.

Anonymous said...

Kim Thomas leaving WSEE for WJET is just like buying Geico Insurance - it's so easy even a cavewoman could do it. The poster above was right about one thing - she is young...

Anonymous said...

Checking out the JET-TV website, it appears that Kim Thomas replaced Laura Gray. Kim's bio isn't on the JET site yet, but Laura's is gone.

Anonymous said...

Correct me if I am wrong, but jumping from one station in Erie to another is a huge lateral move. Unless there is a lot of additional money, it does not seem worth it. If there was a lot of addtional money involved in that transaction, I bet the other newbies at JET that have been working hard are upset that a newbie from another station can walk in and make significantly more.

Anonymous said...

I'm not so sure WJET is the "Green Pasture" NextStar is not known for paying young talent much more than your average Burger King employee. Not that any other small television station is any better. Your average starting reporter salary is $17,000. That ladies and gentlemen is why there is turn-over.

Anonymous said...

Why the adhominem "hair club" remark about Scott Bremner ?

Agree or disagree with him all you want, but there's no need to lower the discussion to that sort of juvenile name-calling level. We can do better than that.

Jack Tirak said...

I agree the personal comment was not necessary and I should have edited it. Better late than never. Done.

Anonymous said...

Another rat has left the sinking ship that is WSEE. Kim Thomas (Former WSEE Reporter) was on Action News 24 this evening live on set doing a report.

Jennifer Boresz left the station two weeks ago for WTOL-TV in Toledo, Ohio.

Guess things aren't as rosy at WSEE as people were led to believe!?

Wonder how WSEE spokesman (EDIT) Scott bremner will spin this?

Radio Free JoJo said...

I wanted to point out that this blog is getting through to the gatekeepers. Scott Bremner had a package on Thursday night about the city's budget crisis and it was an informative, substantive report, including interviewing the mayor. The mayor didn't give him any real answers, but give Scott much credit for trying to tackle the tough issues facing our town.
Here's the story idea of the day: the ETN has an opinion piece today on the economic impact of non-profits in our city. Why not show the real numbers of gross revenues of a Gannon or Hamot, along with some of the smaller ones (all available at guidestar.org). Interview the CEO's then talk to City Council and ask why they keep harassing the NPO's if they are so good for our economy? If I start a business and take over a city block, I won't pay taxes for 10 years under LERTA either, so what's the difference? I could hire 5 people, while somebody like the City Mission employs over 50 (including putting homeless people back to work).
Sorry for the soap box.

Jack Tirak said...

That's the kind of thing that WSEE needs to do more of and I hope management gives Scott and the rest the resources to do it properly.

From what I read from various posts... Carol Pella style is missed by those in and out of the business.

Anonymous said...

The fact that Kim Thomas went from WSEE to WJET is HUGE!

That's kinda like trading in an old Chevy Nova for a beautiful new Cadillac!

Way to go Kim! Nice backhanded slap to WSEE by going to JET!

YOU GO GIRL!

Anonymous said...

"You Go Girl????"

I never did care for that phrase. What exactly does "You Go Girl" mean?

I tried to get into WSEE today. The person who answered the buzzer told me "You must contact the Station Manager for an approved appointment to view the public file. Walk-ins are no longer allowed at WSEE. All visitors to the station must be pre-approved."

I informed the station that I only wished to view the public file. I was told the new rules were because of "certain inappropriate comments on a local blog."

I guess you have to now have permission to view the public file - HELL, to just enter the station.

What the F***!

Did I miss something? When did 13th & Peach become part of Communist China?

This is a very disturbing development. Has WSEE even heard of the first amendment? I guess it only applies when it suits their own interests?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone set up an appointment??? An appointment just seems polite.
A TV station is not a department store. Set up an appointment, and if that gets you nowhere, then whine on the blogs.

As for jet being a Cadillac....HAHAHAHA. JET has the greenest reporters on the street. Name one (Lou is the news director, not a real reporter) veteran on the streets there. The ink is not dry on 99% of their degrees.

Speaking of Cadillacs, isn't it funny how many of them you see in the projects???

Cadillac... HA.

Jack Tirak said...

To above anonymous....

A station can't require a person to make an appointment. According to the FCC "Viewing the Public Inspection File. The station must make its public inspection file available at its main studio at any time during regular business hours. Although you do not need to make an appointment to view the file, making one may be helpful both to the station and to you."


Suggest you read the following post again. it has some good advice. It's called Dont' Mess with the FCC and the Public File.

http://eriemedia.blogspot.com/2006/10/dont-mess-with-fcc-and-public-file.html

Anonymous said...

If JET's reporters are so "green" behind the ears then why is JET a strong Number 1 in the market?

Cadillac's in the projects? If that wasn't a racist stereotype I don't know what is!?

Anonymous said...

Don't forget Northwestern Pennsylvania's Number 1 Rated Newscast at 11!

WICU 12 NEWS: COVERAGE YOU CAN COUNT ON!

The One Two Watch!

Anonymous said...

JET a Cadillac? Hmmmm, I wouldn't say they were a Cadillac. More likely a sporty Jaguar! Channel 12 would be a crappy Pontiac and WSEE a (edit) 20 year-old beat-up YUGO! HA HA

Anonymous said...

With the revolving door that is supported by Nexstar, get ready for that to change. Jet's dominance is nowhere near what it was. I think ICU even says they are number one in a few spots.

Jack Tirak said...

I think some are still taking Scott to task for his defense of running the suicide story from a few weeks ago.

I also don't think it is fair to attack Scott. He is as much as a victim as anyone at the station is today. He is trying to do a job under difficult circumstances. You can critque his style of his reporting but not the person.

Anonymous said...

I'm still Pissed at Bremner for his suicide defense. He really isn't that good of a reporter. I can take comfort in one thing: If he were female he'd be out the door faster than he could say "Hair Spray!"

Anonymous said...

Who the hell started the automobile analogy for the three local stations?

I gotta admit this site gets more interesting with each passing day.

My 2 cents:

WJET - Aston Martin, WICU - Chevy Nova, WSEE - LEMON!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

If Kevin MacDowell were a car, what car would he be? Volvo? Subaru?

I'll say Ford Pinto!

Anonymous said...

at least let wicu be a Honda w/a spoiler!
They are #1 at 11pm and in the Morning

Jack Tirak said...

When did this turn into a used car lot?

Anonymous said...

This turned into a used car lot when the Blog was sponsored by HALLMAN CHEVROLET.

That's HALLMAN CHEVROLET: GOOD PRICES! GOOD SERVICE! (AND NO BALONEY!!!!)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jack on Hallman Chevy sponsoring your blog!

I agree with "poppa Nate" Dave Belmondo does a good job and has many years of experience in the Erie Market.

I like JET's female reporters. They are very EASY on the eyes!

Anonymous said...

Belmondo has more than just a few years experience. Briefly worked with David at WKSN radio in Jamestown, NY in 1979.

Jack Tirak said...

David a gentleman. I have spoken to him since his move from 35 and he is glad he made the move. However, I used to enjoy his "On the Road segments at 35.

Glad he toned down the make-up too.

Anonymous said...

Everyone who has left WSEE is glad they made the move!

Touche!

Anonymous said...

Quoting anonymous "Everyone who has left WSEE is glad they made the move!"

Guess that's been quite a few lately!
Should we start a pool on who's next? LOL.

Anonymous said...

I'll put $100 down that (edit) is the next to leave! ...Easy Money!

Anonymous said...

Give me $10 on (edit)and $20 on (edit)!

Jack Tirak said...

Sorry for the edits...but peoples lives and income are at stake. I rather not use names in a betting pool even in jest. You can criticize their demeanor on the air or their reporting but lets not get vicious. I am trying to be fair to everyone.

I hope the station doesn't choose to cut for the sake of cuts. There is so much more that they could do. I and others have tried to be constuctive and point those out.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is admit you have a problem.

It seems that WSEE is in a severe state-of-denial.

I have followed this blog for several months and fine the commentary fascinating.

WSEE would do wise by some of the suggestions on this board.

I agree with your analysis that the next few months could be rough.

I hope it is not too late.

Anonymous said...

WSEE is like the Pittsburgh Steelers: STICK A FORK IN 'EM, THER'RE DONE!!!

Anonymous said...

why do people thing JET is so great or that people enjoy working there? has anyone ever spoken to one of their reporters? as soon as their contracts are up - they are out.

Anonymous said...

why do people think WSEE is so great or that people enjoy working there? has anyone ever spoken to one of their reporters? as soon as their contracts are up - they are out!

Anonymous said...

If people aren't happy working at WJET or WICU or WSEE please let me know.

I used to work in TV a while ago. I'm looking to get back in the business.

If you don't like getting a paycheck from any of these stations please let me know!

I would be VERY happy to take your job!

Anonymous said...

there are plenty of people that would be happy to take those jobs. tapes fly in and out of the News Directors office daily.

there ARE happy people in the bizz. they just don't waste their time complaining on here.

Anonymous said...

Why haven't any of the other stations hired former WSEE Sports guy Chris Hughes? He was fired by WSEE around 4 years ago. In that time,I think he's remained in Erie, and there have been several other sports guys hired at the other stations. It seems to me Hughes should have been a shoe-in for a sports job at WICU or WJET.

Anonymous said...

Chris Hughes would have been an excellent choice for a sports job at WICU or WJET.

His knowledge and understanding of the sports world WOULD HAVE made him the OBVIOUS choice....

BUT NOT IN THIS SUCK *** MARKET!!!!

Anonymous said...

I like how the only defense for WICU is that they are number one in the mornings and at 11? Are we sure about that or do they distort the numbers? Aren't they the only ones that subscribe to the books?

Jack Tirak said...

Yes they are the only ones to sub to the book. But Nielsen has very strict rules and they have to be accurate in what they claim. But sometimes you have to pay attention to the exact words to know the difference or see what they print on the screen.

The other stations would call them out if they use fudged or used incorrect information.