Why so many weather segments on local newscasts?
Post-Gazette TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions online every Friday in Tuned In Journal blog at post-gazette.com/tv. Here’s a selection of recent queries.
Q: Why is it that our local newscasts put out so much information about the weather? The weather is on two to three times during a half-hour segment. Once is enough, and it is making me and others I talk to angry. Is it that the local news people are lazy? There is so much news in the world that either gets truncated or no coverage at all. Our stations are turning into the Orlando stations where there is no meat to the broadcasts, only fluff and little or no world events discussed.
So what’s the deal?
— JOHN, NORTH HUNTINGDON Rob: The reason stations put on so much local weather is because their research shows that’s what viewers say they want. And ratings reflect that, going up when there is weather coverage.
To better themselves in the ratings, TV stations program to what viewers want, not necessarily the information viewers need to be informed citizens.
Broadcast television is a business, not a public service. Advertisers are the customers with TV delivering eyeballs — viewers — to advertisers.
Q: I realize that some are obsessed with the weather, but my question is why do all the local channels focus just on the Tri-State area? They never show a map of the weather of the continental United States.
I have friends and relatives in California and South Carolina and never see any of their weather! — BEVERLY VIA EMAIL Rob: Local stations assume if you want to know the weather somewhere else in the country, you’ll just look on weather.com. And I am sure their research shows that viewers say they want local weather.
Q: Any idea when we will get to see the 2019 “Top Gear” Christmas special or “Series 28” on BBC America? I have not been able to find anything online.
— JEFF, BALDWIN Rob: a BBC America publicist tells me neither has been scheduled yet.
Q: I have been watching “American Housewife” on Friday nights with Katy Mixon. It is a lighthearted show. Shows that are usually moved to Friday nights end up being canceled. On your press tour, did you hear how this show is doing? Will it be renewed for another season? Thanks.
— MARILYN, CECIL Rob: It’s definitely not a show with buzz, but ABC Entertainment president Karey
Burke said last month that the move to Friday after a successful run behind “The Conners” last spring has paid off, with ratings up 11% in the Friday time slot.
“Having been a producer myself, I am sensitive to shows moving around the schedule,” Burke said. “But I have to tell you this crew, this team of actors and producers, are gamers, and they’re excited about the opportunities. And they keep winning.”
ABC sent out a ratings release Jan. 27 noting that “American Housewife” was Friday’s No. 1 show in adults 18-49, which should be reassuring, but ABC canceled “Last Man Standing” a few seasons back when it was not at the bottom of the ratings barrel, who knows? Decisions on whether to renew existing series will be made between now and May.
Q: Why is WGN America airing its original series “Carter” on Mondays at midnight instead of prime time? I have never even heard of premium cable networks putting one of its shows on that late.
— IAN VIA EMAIL Rob: I suspect “Carter” was moved after WGN America announced it’s dropping scripted programming in prime time in favor of an all-news lineup this summer. Publicists for the show’s studio claimed not to have any information on the change.
WGN America didn’t even send me a news release on the show’s Jan. 20 return — instead it was sent by the studio, which is not the way things usually work in TV publicity. I suspect WGN America has written off “Carter” and its other scripted shows. Ask TV questions by emailing rowen@post-gazette.com, including your first name and location.