WBZ newsroom closed from 8pm-4;30am

[jk111]

As I put it in another thread over the weekend local live news has disappeared after the newsblock ends at 8pm with recorded local updates following CBS toh news,and 60 second CBS updates at bottom of hour. 8.5 hours of no live and local.

[ChrisNH]

This is actually fine. I have it on good authority that nothing newsworthy will happen between those hours ever again...as long as this we exist on this planet. WBZ and CBS got that memo, even if we didn't. 

I hope the FCC goes knocking on WBZs door and says "Give us back 40,000 of your 50,000 watts between those hours because it's clear that you're behaving like a 10,000-watter anyway."

[BostonRandy]

With the "Closed: will re-open at 4:30AM" sign on the door, has that affected Kim Tunnicliffe's position? She's still on the website and I always liked her style. Then again, I've known her since we were kids in Cumberland, RI.

[kenglish]

"WBZ newsroom closed from 8pm-4:30am"....
At least, until the first EAS or Amber Alert at 3 AM is missed, or some big story gets by them (but not the competition). 

[CrankyYankee]

Re: WBZ newsroom closed from 8pm-4:30am...
What would "Streeter Glick" think of this?  Not much, methinks!

[aaronread]

I hope the FCC goes knocking on WBZs door and says "Give us back 40,000 of your 50,000 watts between those hours because it's clear that you're behaving like a 10,000-watter anyway."

Actually, as the past week or so have ably demonstrated, 10kW on AM works quite well when you're on a "clear channel" (the frequency, not the company).  Hell, as WJIB demonstrates, even 250 watts can work pretty well if it's in the right place and on the right freq.

At least, until the first EAS or Amber Alert at 3 AM is missed, or some big story gets by them (but not the competition).

Just because the newsroom is "closed" doesn't necessarily mean nobody is in the building.  Are there still board-ops on the overnights who can wake up the PD/News Director if a newsworthy event happens, and then start doing basic news while the news team is called in?

And hell, I don't know if WBZ has actually done this, but the entire EAS setup COULD be rigged to be operated completely remotely if necessary.  With call forwarding and dial-up remote controls, it's not that hard to do.

[the scribe]

KimTunicliffe is still with the station but her hours have been reduced.

[Eli Polonsky]

And hell, I don't know if WBZ has actually done this, but the entire EAS setup COULD be rigged to be operated completely remotely if necessary.  With call forwarding and dial-up remote controls, it's not that hard to do.

The EAS can be set up to interrupt programming in the station airchain and automatically forward (rebroadcast) any emergencies, amber alerts, etc... just a moment after it receives them.

WMBR at MIT has it set up to do this (and also rebroadcast the required monthly tests) to keep the station EAS compliant in case the on-air DJ/engineer may fail to do it.

[BostonRandy]

KimTunicliffe is still with the station but her hours have been reduced.

Thanks for the info.

[Garrett]

Just because the newsroom is "closed" doesn't necessarily mean nobody is in the building.  Are there still board-ops on the overnights who can wake up the PD/News Director if a newsworthy event happens, and then start doing basic news while the news team is called in?

And hell, I don't know if WBZ has actually done this, but the entire EAS setup COULD be rigged to be operated completely remotely if necessary.  With call forwarding and dial-up remote controls, it's not that hard to do.

Don't be so sure! After Gulfstar put 6 stations on automation down here, I was the last person to leave the building after board oping sports events from network! And yes, 6 stations ran without a single person in the building!