Question for TV news folks ...

If they broke into a Jordan Finals for a car chase, he might have dropped 120 the following game.

 

Don't remember. We were in the local pizza parlor. They had only recently put in a TV with strict instructions that there be no volume. I pleaded with the hostess to turn on the volume, she said no, her boss wouldn't allow it. I told her this was American history in the making. We were regular customers and I knew her boss. I would take the blame if he got mad at her. I think I finally convinced her. I don't think there was an NBA game on but there might have been.

 

I was watching at work and don’t remember either. But I think they kept the game in a small box at the bottom of the screen.

 

The difference being OJ was OJ and a murder suspect. From all accounts so far, this was a routine chase.

 

Why = If it bleeds — and even if it has the remotest potential to do so — it leads.

What I find incomprehensible is why, in an age when you can find any video or audio clip you want instantaneously, for free, and nearly in real time, viewers feel compelled to watch these chases and stations feel compelled to stay with them start to finish. Sports news replays don't show you the seven foul balls that preceded the game-winning homer, they get right to the money shot. Video of The Second Coming will be available on YouTube within an hour of it taking place, and TMZ will have it on sooner if there are allegations of sexual harassment.

 

"Commercial television worships but three gods - ratings, advertising rates and total revenue produced."

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson

He spoke those words in 1992

 

Hell, if I was a car insurance company or a body shop (or a lawyer) I would pay handsomely for a bug in the corner of police chase coverage.

Also - don't underestimate Feb. sweeps - when ad rates are set.

 

I know everyone loves that little phrase, but I’ve probably led with crime/violence a dozen times tops in the past year. Maybe not even that.

It’s live TV. It’s drama. People want to see what happens.

This is like saying you don’t understand why anyone watches the Super Bowl when they can just go online when it’s over to see who won.

 

February sweeps aren’t really a thing anymore, at least in bigger markets. Some stations still freak out about February just because they always have but there’s no longer a purpose.