WTRF 7 NEW BACKGROUND

[justalistener]

Does anybody have any comments on Channel 7 (WTRF in Wheeling), new studio background and lighting. To me, it looks like they have taken a step back in time. The lighting is horrendous, and makes the anchor's look extremely pale and sickly. Another poor choice from West Virginia Media??

[Arp2]

The station has only one anchor?

What does it do mornings and weekends?

No comma after "horrendous," by the way.


Edit: Oh, gosh....I just noticed it's your first post. Welcome! Sorry to pick at your first post.....

[Big Media]

Arp! The Grammar Cop.

Welcome to the board!

[Arp2]

Arp! The Grammar Cop.

Welcome to the board!

Well, as long as we're getting serious, a comma is needed between "background" and "and."

[justalistener]

You know (COMMA) that is the problem with people that have nothing else to do but monitor these boards. I did not know that this was school. Of course, nobody answers the original post question. Thanks (COMMA) but my first post will be my last!

[Greg Goodfellow]

It's okay, justalistener...give us a chance! You'll learn much good information here.

As a person who remembers WTRF's 'glory days,' (cue Bruce Springsteen), it's disheartening to see where they are now. Back in the day, Channel 7 ruled the valley. Now, an entire generation knows that 'TOV is the lead dog. This is a station that has let one golden opportunity after another slip away. It's a beautiful facility to visit, as TV stations go, but that doesn't translate to what ends up on your TV. It may be my cable (Time-Warner), but most of the time the newscast is rather 'dark.' Everything about Channel 9 trumps 7.

BTW, I'm sad to see Shelby Zarotney leave, as of next month. She will be missed.

[Mr. Tom Jones]

It's not a new background at WTRF; it's the Chairman's backup plan. Have a nice day.

[WV Newsnut]

I don't think it is a new background. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week during Fox Ohio Valley News at 10.... they ran into such horrendous technical problems that they cut out of news both nights at about 10:13 and started episodes of "Frasier", which only played until 10:30 then TMZ began on time. Then when 7NEWS at 11 began, they where using a different camera angle on the anchor desk and the lighting and color were so harsh that it appeared that they had to use a backup camera. Most likely the automation system broke down AGAIN, and AGAIN, and they had to dig out an old camera to get the show on at 11.

[genlock]

Great Leap Forward.

[Arp2]

Of course, nobody answers the original post question.

In defense of the board's membership, allow me to point out you allowed only three hours for a reply before posting that. Participation from the Wheeling area is relatively light, and it is likely it'll take more time for someone in the know from the area to come by and answer.

Thanks (COMMA) but my first post will be my last!

Don't be silly...please accept my apology and read and post as much as you like. As I said, posters from your area are few, and there has long been the desire for more! Dive in....ask, comment, do whatever you wish. You'll find the caliber of posters here is higher than you'll find elsewhere, and you are definitely welcome!

[genlock]

A bad color balance, strange looking picture and off-beat camera angle suggest that a last second
change to a news gathering camera (or worse) on a tripod. The news cameras have different
operating situations that require differences in contour (sharpness) settings, lens ratios, and colorimetry.
Studio cameras are usually matched units and have all the same type of pickup devices and lenses.
They are normally mounted on pedestals or low tripods for a more pleasing angle to the newscasters.
If the Parkervision did fail, I bet the reading of the hard copy made for cranky anchors.
It is sad to see fine old stations like WTRF-TV fall apart.
BTW: If I were boss, there would be no more money spent on analog anything.
It is too close to analog shutdown to worry about obsolete junk. If the analog transmitter quits, so be it.

[JustWinBaby]

They are actually using a studio camera, but it is an ancient man-operated studio camera from the pre-Parkervision days.

[localgal]

It's not a new background. Parkervision, the computerrized system everyone uses now, crashed on Tuesday night and they were forced to go back to the old school days of broadcasting.

Apparently, there are a lot of TOV lovers out there, but let me pose this. TOV is owned by Cox Broacasting, a huge corporation that owns thousands of TV stations across the country, i.e. never-ending cash flow. TRF is owned by a WV businessman that owns just a few. There's a huge difference. Local grocery store and clothing store owners know what I'm talking about, thanks to Walmart.

WTRF has more than one anchor, and they are local people. People in the northern panhandle are always pushing local, local, local, but seemed mezmerized by the flash of WTOV, despite the fact that the majority of their reporters are 22 and from Michigan. I guess experience doesn't count. You'd rather have a reporter that has to ask for directions to Oglebay Park and can't tell you what DiCarlo's Pizza and Coleman's Fish Market are all about. I also continue to hear rumors that some of the young ones like to have personal relationships with leaders in the community (some are married). That's who I want to watch every day. No thanks.

As you can tell, I'm a WTRF fan. Say what you want about them, but they have people that have lived here forever and reported here forever. I have a lot of respect for a locally-owned station that employs local people. Period.

As for the technical problems, I agree it looks bad, but I hope they have it fixed soon.

[The People's DJ]

As I said, posters from your area are few, and there has long been the desire for more!

What are you smoking? Can I have some? It would go well with the Birthday Beer on Tuesday

[Oldiesdude]

Justalistener said:

You know (COMMA) that is the problem with people that have nothing else to do but monitor these boards. I did not know that this was school. Of course, nobody answers the original post question. Thanks (COMMA) but my first post will be my last!

Hang in there, I think it is Arps Job to be grammer cop to all new posters. If I remember he also slammed me on my grammer around my first few posts. I have now posted a few hundred and he will not even correct me when I ask him too. I know it must be because there are so many mistakes it would take to long. He seems like a pretty good guy. I think he might be, "Paul Harvey".... not sure.

So keep posting, like Arp said; there are not many from the North, and more are needed.

As to your question on WTRF, I don't watch much of it, or for that matter a lot of TV. What I have seen of WTRF, is shame. I keep thinking that after Feb. 17th I can wake up and find the old station I remember as a kid. Top of heap, looking and sounding great. I do hope that is the case. I once was asked back in the 70's to come in and make a demo for the news anchor at that time. The call was from Mark Davis, and he told me at that time, he thought I, was the best radio news person in the valley. (You could have blew me over on that one.) That comment will just sit on a shelf, some where in my mind, so I can pick it up now and then to look at, to give me a litte boost. I did not get the job, I was only in my mid 20's, I think and was scared stiff, that did not look good on camera.
I so much want to see WTRF come back.... I hope it happens soon.

[bongo]

Thanks (COMMA) but my first post will be my last!

you mean your second post will be your last....I'm just playing
I am from Wheeling also.

I'm with localgal, I like local people reporting local issues. WTRF, WKKX...

[genlock]

We really do need more panhandle news.
Changes will really start mid-February with the analog cutoff.
Some stations wil dump their ancient analog transmitters and
begin a build out of VHF DTV plants. Others will just stay UHF.
Some will upgrade studio to HD, some will delay. Without analog
to worry about, much of the syndication will migrate to widescreen
and HD. We just don't need the fanboy approach to radio and tv inside
news from the panhandle. Drunken anchor stories are always accepted.
Pictures a plus. Everybody gets grades for grammar and spelling.
Everybody gets kidded. Have a thicker skin.

[cgarison]

Has anybody ripped this mess from their Tivo or DVR to post on the web. I am really interested in seeing this without heading out to Wheeling.b

[tvchick]

TOV is owned by Cox Broacasting, a huge corporation that owns thousands of TV stations across the country, i.e. never-ending cash flow. TRF is owned by a WV businessman that owns just a few. There's a huge difference.

I can't believe that statement slipped by everyone on this board. Cox owns THOUSANDS of TV stations across the country? Wow. I never knew that when I worked for them.

Here's was their web site says:

Cox Television - Cox entered television in 1948 and now owns or manages 15 TV stations.

I do agree with localgal on one thing, chairman bray is a small fish...that sooner or later will get fried.

[Arp2]

TOV is owned by Cox Broacasting, a huge corporation that owns thousands of TV stations across the country, i.e. never-ending cash flow. TRF is owned by a WV businessman that owns just a few. There's a huge difference.

I can't believe that statement slipped by everyone on this board.

I noticed it but figured I was in enough trouble in this thread.

Cox owns THOUSANDS of TV stations across the country? Wow. I never knew that when I worked for them.

Yep....an average of eight per rated market plus a few others in unrated places, too!