February 8th, 2010
joel
4 Comments »
Some 86% of our poll respondents thought that it would take at least three years, if ever, for local HDTV to arrive in Erie. Meanwhile we will just endure the standard def news and commercial cutaways.
A shocking yet exciting win for the New Orleans Saints last night in the Super Bowl.
It is also the Super Bowl of television advertising, with businesses spending between $2.5 and $3 million per placement. I missed having Pepsi in on the party, but there was some good creative here.
Here was my favorite, from Audi (always loved Cheap Trick!):
What was yours?
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January 30th, 2010
joel
7 Comments »
The twice yearly ratings horse race between Star 104 and Classy 100 has turned into a yawner.
The Fall 2009 Arbitron ratings released Friday afternoon confirms the amazingly strong hold that the Connoisseur Media cluster has over Erie radio listeners. Although it’s lead 12+ has softened, WRTS/Star 104 continues as Erie’s most listened to broadcast radio station. Meanwhile the flagship station for the Citadel group in Erie, WXKC/Classy 100 has continued its slide in share of audience over at least five books to be ranked fourth.
The big winner of the Fall was WTWF/93.9 The Wolf who garnered their best book ever, good for second place. Rounding out Connie Media’s top stations was WXBB/Bob FM, who scored their best book since they debuted in 2007.
Been a long time since we rock and rolled the ratings. WRKT/Rocket 101 and WQHZ/Z-102.3 have taken what was 17 shares of listenership two years ago and grinded it down to 11. It looks like Rocket especially hasn’t put the jets onto expanding its base.
As far as AM goes…simply, nothing to see here. While AM stations crush their competition in the markets surrounding us in ratings and billing, our offerings have received no investment from their owner companies and so they got what they paid for.
Finally, the third biggest jump up came from my alma mater WCTL, who scored their best book in memory and is knocking on the door of once-prominent WXTA/Country 98.
You can see all the hard numbers at AllAccess.com (registration required).
January 28th, 2010
joel
22 Comments »
FCC Shield
Turns out that Erie pirates are easier to catch than the Somali kind.
An agent from the Federal Communications Commission’s field office in Buffalo came to Erie Wednesday, located and ordered the shut down of two pirate FM radio stations that were operating within the city limits.
According to a very reliable source who spoke with the agent while he was in town, the agent found a signal at 89.5 emanating from a retail business on lower Parade Street. My source said that the signal which played urban and hip-hop music had been broadcasting for more than a year on the frequency.
The other pirate broadcasted gospel music at 90.1 FM and was found in the Little Italy section of the city near Walnut Street.
The operators of both stations were given verbal warning to immediately cease transmission, with official Notices of Violation to follow. According to my source, no fine will be issued unless the operators fail to comply with the shut-down. If they were to resist the FCC, fines can amount up to $10,000 for illegal transmission of an unlicensed station.
Hats off the prudent P&T commenters for actually instigating the FCC visit to our fine city!
January 25th, 2010
joel
13 Comments »
Blogs are the thing to P&T readers.
When we asked how often you read Erie-based blogs, two-thirds of respondents said that they were connected to local blogs at least weekly.
Peyton Manning
So I’m watching the Colts put the hurt on the Jets on my sib’s 50″ 120 Hz HDTV. The WSEE/CBS pass-through looked amazing. The game footage, the graphics, replays and the commercials were sharp and effective.
But then they went local. Actually the upsampling of the standard def spots and promos didn’t totally fall apart, but compared to the net, the local origination left a lot to be desired.
Now I know that the cost of changing over the local side is in the millions, and considering that we are still in a recession, that kind of capital outlay is difficult. But if not now, then when?
How soon for local HDTV?
- I can't see it happening in the foreseeable future (63%, 25 Votes)
- It will take 3 years (23%, 9 Votes)
- Between 12-24 months (13%, 5 Votes)
- Sometime in 2010 (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 40
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Deep Background for February 7-13, 2010
Without a lot of help from me, the readers and commenters here on P&T engaged to another 3,000+ page views this week. Thanks!
On this atypical, relaxing Sunday morning, I have to gush about how much I enjoy the Sunday morning newspaper reading experience. I know that the Erie Times-News gets a lot of criticism from these pixels and other inked spaces, real and virtual. But for me, as I learn about my surroundings from what I call “the everyday miracle” of a published newspaper, my pleasure synapses fire.
This morning, my first read was the Page 1A cover story about the rise of truancy in our city and county. Next, I shared with my wife the snowfall totals in DC, Philly and Baltimore…it’s funny how much glee we Erieites receive when others get buried with snow! A weekly must read for me is the Pat Howard column, who’s cranky take on most issues seems quite reasonable to me. Finally, it’s onto the Editorial pages, where this week the Board has established it’s Agenda 2010.
Do I agree with it all? Certainly not! Do they get it right every time, or do they always keep their bias hidden? No way. But the voice of the Erie Times-News is as valid as any other, and the millions of dollars they invest in newsprint and bandwidth continues to be a cataylist for making Erie “A Better Place.”
Your responses welcome here on this open forum, or email or tweet me.
Embrace the chaos!