Deep Background is your place to sound off, give a shout out, even throw a tantrum about things you care about in the local Erie and global media. Discuss, encourage, disagree all in this space.
If there’s a news tip or idea you’d rather send directly to me, just email joel@nataliemedia.com.
Wait for it…wait for it.
Embrace the chaos!
1 | JIMBO
CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY DIRECT TV DOES NOT OFFER LOCAL CHANNELS IN THIS AREA WHEN THEY ADVERTISE 94% COVERAGE IN OTHER MARKETS.
2 | Doug
I’d like to see our local TV stations broadcasting the local news in HD.
Since WSEE is the first to go full-power HD, can the station also be the first to broadcast its news in HD?
3 | Tim
I’ll take a shot at answering Doug’s question. To broadcast a newscast in HD would require the replacement of EVERY piece of production equipment and hardware in the station…EVERY PIECE!
To broadcast a newscast in HD is an extremely expensive proposition. You would need the following equipment (give or take) IN HD: new HD production switcher, new HD servers or HD playback machines, the HD infrastructure, high-tech HD audio switcher, HD Field Cameras, HD editing equipment, HD Studio Cameras, HD Character generator, HD weather graphics equipment, the list of things needed goes on….and on…and on…
I wouldn’t expect to see WSEE doing local news in HD anytime soon…if at all!
4 | Doug
I didn’t think about that when writing the message.
Can we expect any of the local TV stations to broadcast local news in HD? Are any of the news sets used by the local stations even designed for HD camera shots?
I believe that WSEE stores all video digitally; I guess that’s a start. What does WJET/WFXP use to playback video for news stories? How about WICU?
Just asking some questions, presenting a few ideas, and looking toward the future… Does anyone want to discuss HD news?
5 | Tim
I’ll try and answer the playback message. WICU, I believe, stores their video digitally also for playback from a computer system.
As for WJET/WFXP, Nexstar (Channel 24 owner) made a group purchase of Panasonic P2 HD Field Cameras. These cameras record onto a computer memory card about the size of a bank credit card. When these cameras are up and running (sometime in the next couple weeks) WJET will have a stunning quality to their field cameras. The stories will be edited and stored digitally for playback on a media server.
As for the news sets…none are designed for HD camera shots - that would be another expense for HD news.
WJET, at the moment with their soon-to-be new P2 HD cameras, stands the best chance of someday doing local news in High Definition.
6 | Raw Row Raggy
Do you really want to see Kevin McDowell or Scott Bremner in HDTV?
PASS…
7 | Tim
I would like to see Casandra Garrison or Jacqueline Policastro in HD. Another good point…the talent (ha!) is going to have to wear special HD makeup if the newscasts ever go HD.
Just another useless tidbit of information for a manic monday! LOL
8 | Scott Bremner
Dammit!! I was wondering how long it would take before somebody took a shot at my looks on this site.
Oh well..At least I made it through the first month..
9 | Tim
I also forgot to mention…an additional expense for an HD newscast is the station will have to ALSO purchase all-new HD ENG Live Vans.
10 | Bryan
Edinboro vs. Gannon on WSEE this past Saturday. Ugh. For someone who doesn’t follow, nor care about local college football (sorry, I just don’t.), it was painful to have to endure this game due to the fact that it pre-empted a clash between two unbeaten SEC teams (Alabama/Kentucky).
I heard during the broadcast as I flipped back and forth waiting for the game to finish that WSEE is going to broadcast 2 or 3 MORE Saturday games in October. Ugh.
I live for my Saturday SEC games on CBS. Please tell me I’m not going to miss the Florida/LSU game this weekend!!
I understand what WSEE is trying to do. I understand that local people enjoy local sports. I get that, but don’t block the SEC game of the week.
11 | joel
Does Bryan have a point here?
My take would be that probably the local games would generate more ratings and revenue for Ch. 35 than the SEC. I would think that as long as the Big Ten, Big East & Notre Dame are covered, the rest of the schedule is open for discussion.
What do you think, folks?
12 | Tim
So nice to see Theresa Murtland on WJET tonight during the 5pm news. Apparently she is just back from Africa and is going to do a series of reports on missionaries trying to provide clean drinking water to the people of Africa.
A very compelling report…made even more so by the sight of the lovely Ms Murtland live on the JET-TV news set. (I’d love to see her in High Definition!)
13 | Tim
I dont understand why WSEE just doesn’t televise the local college games at 11:30pm saturday nights!? I would much rather watch SEC football than a local college game live. But I do understand (I think) what WSEE is trying to do.
Having said that……
GO ‘BAMA! ROLL TIDE!
14 | Jim
Who wants to watch a game that was played several hours previous?
15 | Tom Lavery
With the digital channels available, WSEE / WICU could put the PSAC games over on their CW affiliate. It’s a similar idea to what is being done in Youngstown. WYTV, the ABC affiliate there has a second channel called “MyYTY” in which they are putting regional sports on. In their case, they carry the Indians, Browns & Steelers pre season games, and a replay of both high school and Youngstown State University football games. This would free up WICU and WSEE to carry network programs while the CW affiliate carries regional sports.
16 | Bryan
My question would be…did anyone, who is not associated with Gannon or Edinboro, watch the game live?
It’s tough. I understand we are a “small town” per se, and WSEE is trying to do something for the local sports fan, but give those that want to watch the SEC game an option. It’s not 1940. There has to be a way to give each game to each fan base.
WSEE basically pre-empted a game involving the #2 team in the country.
18 | Bryan
I’m not sure a sports bar would have been any better. Most, if not all sports bars, get their service via DirecTV in order to provide customers with the NFL Ticket package. DirecTV does not offer locals in the Erie market, nor any out of market local channels.
It’s ok. I’m over it (well, aside from switching to WJET for my news now. I kid. I kid.).
19 | Tim
Why should I have to go to a bar to watch a game? I would much rather enjoy a game from the comfort of my own easy chair. Having said that, I did not go to either Gannon or Edinboro and I really couldn’t care less who won.
Having said that, the next 2 or 3 games will be shown on a tape delay basis - the next day!
I wonder why they didn’t just air all games on tape delay? Someone goofed with airing this live and not showing the #2 college football team in the country.
20 | Raw Row Raggy
Is it me or does anyone else think that WICU’s John Rupolo looks like…Fred Flintstone.
“I’m John Rupolo, 12 News, Coverage you can count on. YABBA DABBA DOO!”
WICU TV 12
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