April 26th, 2009 
joel We just completed the biggest week in terms of page views since the launch of The Press and Tower. That seems appropriate, considering the hugely-significant issues that surround the media in Erie and in the country.
Keep the conversation going, both in this open forum, or by commenting on the individual posts. You can also send me a private note by e-mail at joel@nataliemedia.com, or tweet @pressandtower.
Now more than ever, embrace the chaos!
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Page views-many
Page responses-few
Poll responses-even fewer
What’s up with that?
Jimbo,
Interesting question: over the period I referenced, we received 48 comments generated by 1600 visits (that doesn’t include folks reading in a reader or via email). That’s a “conversion rate” of 3%.
Either we have an inordinate amount of lurking at P&T, or it is just a basic nature of blogging.
It is what it is.
“Need any help?”
“No thanks…I’m just lurking.”
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Was visiting family in Cincinnati over the weekend and I saw a promo on WLWT Channel 5 for weather with Valerie Abati…I forget whether she was with WJET or WICU.
FOX 66, WFXP, shut off its analog signal as of noon today. It now broadcasts exclusively in digital.
WICU 12 is the only major television station transmitting an analog signal in the Erie market.
Jim,
Valerie Abati used to work at WJET-TV. She was at Channel 24 for only 4 months before being let go. She then went to FOX 19 in Cincinnati where she caught the eye of KDKA-TV. Ms Abati was fired from Channel 2 Pittsburgh after only 8 months – see a pattern emerging. She is now (like you said) back in Cincy, this time at the aforementioned WLWT-TV.
Hope that helps!?
Doug,
Isn’t it a shame that the pioneer Television station in Erie (WICU) is going to be dead last with full-power digital? This is why Brian Lilly will get my vote for the worst owner/manager in the history of Erie Television – an honor he so richly deserves!
WICU debuted its new set during the 5 o’clock news broadcast today.
With the exception of the TV on the front of the news desk, the set does not have any WICU branding. Is it a sign of the future for WICU/WSEE? They may be sharing the same news set in the future…
Did anyone see it? What are your thoughts/impressions?
Doug,
My first thought upon seeing the new WICU news set was “Is that the best they can do!?” The background behind Mike Ruzzi causes Mike to have a dark, almost blurred look – they need to do something about his lighting. Also, WICU chose to keep the same old, very dated graphics package. Usually when a TV station unveils a new set they also introduce new graphics, etc. Must be the new WICU/WSEE motto: “Less Is Better”
I also noticed a lack of WICU branding. The TV set on the desk had a simple Peacock nothing else.
In my opinion this looks to be the future for a combined WICU/WSEE News operation. I will try to be constructive but I think WICU could have done a much better job on their new news set. The Grade for the new set? “C” (plain and average looking at best)
I agree Tim. Now that you have me thinking about that…
Since everyone will be working out of the same building soon, WSEE’s graphics team should develop a new look for all the stations. WSEE’s graphics look pretty good, but WICU’s graphics really need to be overhauled. What’s with the dark blue and gray look anyways? I’ve never liked it from the very start. It’s kind of dark and ugly looking.
They should also develop some news graphics for the CW and put on a *live* ten o’clock newscast on the station, instead of replaying WICU’s six o’clock news. Why not compete with WFXP when WICU and WSEE will be working out of the same building and producing several newscasts for the two stations? Will one more make much of a difference?
I am just interested to see what will become of the merger and how everything will change. Hopefully, it will workout for the best, and we will see a superior product on the Lilly Broadcasting TV stations. Let’s see what happens as June 1st draws closer…
WSEE’s graphics do look very good. Lilly should have WSEE work on a graphics overhaul for both stations. Also, do a 10pm LIVE newscast on the CW. Since 3514 State is going to be crammed like Noah’s Ark might as well go after the flagship 10pm broadcast on FOX. This merger might have a chance to work out really well…if it survives the growing pains.
Lilly needs to take the monetary savings a merger would produce and pour that money back into new equipment, vehicles, etc. Panasonic has just come out with a low cost P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder that includes lens and wireless receiver/transmitter all inclusive for $10,700. It can be done! However, if Lilly just wants to bank the money then there isn’t much hope for this merger.
In my opinion, the best part of the new set is the stunning picture background of the Bicentennial Tower. It is very well done. It is a shame it is put to waste with that awful surrounding bland background and desk. It’s not too late to work on “refreshing” the set – other stations do it all the time, especially the lighting! (PLEASE do something about Mike Ruzzi’s lighting)
I just hope June 1st is the start of something good and not the beginning of the end of 35th & State.
The set looked very compressed to me not roomy like the new studio at WKBN in Youngstown. It makes me wonder if they are trying to put in two studios for two newscasts on WSEE and WICU simultaneously. Was it put in a closet?
I notice that WSEE Morning’s Live set is not used now. Maybe moved to WICU studios?
I agree with what everyone is saying. WICU needs a new graphics package. Who wants to see the color gray in a graphics package? I don’t, it just doesn’t fit into the industry. The red and white graphics package was decent though. This is only a step down, and the most abysmal job of any graphic team in the Erie market. WJET was decent until 2 years or so ago when a few elements of their graphics package was changed. WSEE and WFXP look pretty good, however.
Oh, and I wish WICU would stop with the disgusting branding image and name and slogan. How about “NBC 12, (fill in slogan here)”?
Any suggestions for slogans anyone? Or, how about a new set for WJET? Lighting also? And, I also think they should (WJET) switch back to the standard branding… “JET-TV” doesn’t sound so good to me.
Also, I like some things to be old-fashioned, but what Erie TV needs is something more Unique. A 7 PM newscast perhaps. Nice idea, but it was already done before? Or what about changing FOX 66′s name to “X66″? I have a new idea… A weekend morning newscast.
I hope you are listening Erie broadcasters, and I hope someone agrees with me.
I know I don’t count but I agree totally. Average at best set for 12 NEWS. Nasty gray blue graphics. And don’t you think that JET-TV is a copy kinda of ICU NEWS as far as the naming goes? I do agree that NBC12 would be much better. They will do what they want anyway.
I’m listening Jim, and I agree with all your recommendations. I just don’t think Erie broadcasters will listen and that is a shame.
I have some answers to your questions. First off, I agree the color gray does not belong in a modern, high definition graphics package. Not sure how to replace it but earth tones would be a good start? How about bringing back the Red and White? or perhaps Red and Blue?
As for a new slogan for Channel 12? How about this: “NBC 12 Erie. More News. More Often?” or “NBC 12. Local News First?”
WJET-TV, in my opinion, BADLY is in need of a new news set – even more so now that they are full powered digital. Just rip down the set, build something BIG and beautiful and repoint all the lights. While we are at it just brand yourself as “ACTION NEWS 24″ JET-TV doesn’t sound right anymore.
Instead of a weekend morning newscast how about a weekend newscast AT NOON??? It could be done. Finally, what if one of the local news stations (12, 24 or 35) gave up local news at 5pm and instead did a 4PM NEWSCAST like in other markets? Just move the syndie programming to 5pm and go with an hour of news from 4-5pm? That is something that has never been tried in this market before….unlike a 7pm newscast which if brought back wouldn’t exactly be an original thought.
Those are just my ideas to Jim’s questions. Anyone else have comments on these issues?
(Footnote: Watching the 5pm WICU newscast today – one day after the debut of the new set – there are MULTIPLE lighting issues that must be corrected and soon. Also, the colors of the set just don’t work. I like the set less today than I did yesterday – easily the worst looking set in the market…sorry WICU!)
What about these graphics (created by an amateur graphic designer) for WICU:
http://forum.fantasytvamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=306
One thing… I don’t like the NBC 13 Logo in there. Just keep the WICU logo, remove the border and call letters, and polish the “12″ a little bit and restore it’s thickness.
And replace the US flag in the open with the PA flag overlaying the bicentennial tower. Or, maybe keep the US flag. “NBC 12, Local News First” sounds just great to me. “Action News 24″ as a news brand is fine (WPVI 6 in Philly uses it), but I was talking about general branding. And, WJET should return to doing the original “Action News” music package. Actually, when I was writing my comment, I did think of writing an idea for a weekend noon newscast, but then I thought a market of Erie’s size might not fair well with it. A 4 P.M. newscast is a great idea. I can see it now — “Local News First. This is NBC 12 News, First At Four.” Also, didn’t WSEE once have a 4 P.M. newscast? And if WSEE ditches 11 pm news, that could make room for quality programming like “Cheers.”
“Action News” is a branded name…they would have to pay to use it.
You guys seem to know so much about how to fix things, why don’t you go into the consulting biz? ICU pay big bucks for consultants and most of the one they have had NO CLUE about local news.
Jim,
I LOVE those graphics on the link! They would be PERFECT for WICU…if only the current management would spend the money to make it so?
Also, the original Action News music package is called “Move Closer To Your World” by Al Ham. This legendary music package is still in use this day at Channel 6 in Philadelphia. Here is a link to the theme music on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGCWA6vQjqE
How about a new slogn for Action News:
Instead of “Action News 24: On Your Side”
how about
“Action News 24: EVERYWHERE!” ??
It could work!
They did that already and WICU used it a couple years back when NBC made a national compaign with it.
I really like those graphics on the link. I think every station in Erie needs to upgrade their graphics with the new digital signals.
Tim, sorry, but I don’t really like that version of “Move Closer To Your World.”
Here are some cool newscast opens that can easily work in the Erie market:
WPVI-TV 6 Philadelphia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyPDRgU4PsU&feature=related
WNBC-TV 4 New York City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chyzCZVp5F8
We’re being shortchanged in this market on quality. You can produce quality graphics, newscast openings and branding without breaking the bank.
“It’s Eleven o’clock, do you know where your children are?”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNLmS6M0IU&feature=related
Tim, I say no to the “Action News 24. Everywhere.” as it kind of sounds vaguely like “Everywhere” by British-American pop group Fleetwood Mac. Then again, it might not be so bad. I’ll approve on the WICU/WSEE merger if they do decent jobs with the stations, but if they don’t, there is nothing we can do.
Here’s links to online pictures of the new WICU set. Some show the finished set while others show the construction work. I found these on WICU’s twitter page (www.twitter.com/WICU12).
The WICU 12News team on the new set. (www.twitpic.com/44kav)
Changes: The new studio set at WICU12 is live! (www.twitpic.com/44fcw)
Changes: Another shot of the redesigned news set in our studio. (www.twitpic.com/43p64)
The revamped studio set debuts this week on WICU12! (www.twitpic.com/41fjy)
The new studio set debuts soon! (www.twitpic.com/3zsnj)
Changes: The new news set is coming together. (www.twitpic.com/3w8tf)
Another shot of the changing studio. (www.twitpic.com/3v7do)
Changes: The studio at 35th & State is being rebuilt. (www.twitpic.com/3t70m)
“This Day In Erie Broadcast History:”
According to my Fybush.com Tower Site Calendar it was 40 years ago today that WWGO-FM (now WRTS) signed on. For that first year they were a Top 40 station by day…but from 10pm-6am they were “GO-Underground”…kinda like what you’d find today on XM’s Deep Tracks channel. My friends and I loved that station. And even though they were Top 40 by day…it wasn’t unusual to have the jock slip in “Court of the Crimson King” by King Crimson next to a Bobby Sherman song. Now THAT’S playing everything!!!
And one of the orginal jocks was Dan “the Wild Irishman” Geary.
And I might add that WWGO-FM’s first PD was Rodney Zabish…aka “Bobby Ocean.” Today he’s “Rod Hunter” on the Porreco spots. “LOU..what a guy.”
Tim, A 4 PM newscast won’t work for my mom, since she comes home to work later than that. And, she says she’ll prefer to watch the news at 7 because she always almost misses the 6 PM news.