Talladega Race Washed Out

April 30, 2006, 2:23 pm

Posted by James Spann in General Thoughts
Rating: 0/5 Votes : 0

I was doing a live update on WTDR-FM in Anniston about 20 minutes ago when NASCAR made the decision to postpone the Aaron's 499 due to rain.

Just too much on radar... I think the decision was a good one. For the past five days all weather parameters pointed to wet weather today, and rain and NASCAR racing doesn't make a good mix.

Tomorrow should offer a dry and mild day for the big race.

WINDS: Been watching weather data from our SKYCAM network site atop Mount Cheaha:

http://www.abc3340.com/static/skycams/skycamscheaha.html

Winds have been approaching 45 mph at times this afternoon...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME: I turned on the TV to take a look at network coverage of the NASCAR event at Talladega today and just saw a commercial on that station about their weather operation. The spot was laughable. In my old age, I really don't pay attention to the competition as much as I did years ago... we run our operation on our vision; what the others do in the market makes no difference.

That commercial featured one untruth, and one statement that was pretty misleading.

The commercial said they have the "largest weather team" in the market. HMMM.. at ABC 33/40 we have four meteorologists on staff, and with two contract meteorologists from The Weather Company (J.B. Elliott and Bill Murray) our grand total is six. We have the largest staff by far.

And, the commercial said that their station was "YOUR CHOICE". The implication is that they are the ratings leader during severe weather coverage. Once again, that is far from the truth. During most long form tornado coverage periods, ABC 33/40 has more audience that the other local stations combined. It is not even close.

Never let facts get in the way of a good TV promo... I have many friends at that station, and I worked there for many years. And, I need good competition. I am simply disturbed by the the words in this commercial. I am sure my friends over there would be just as disturbed if we ran some kind of spot like that.

Enough venting... back to a peaceful Sunday afternoon. I will have a full discussion and a new map discussion video available by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow...

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Posted by Lianne
on April 30, 2006, 2:45 pm

Yea, James!

I have thought the same thing about that commercial. I'm glad I'm not the only one! They make me laugh with their "Weather Humvee" in all the background shots. You guys are MILES ahead of the competition.

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Posted by www
on April 30, 2006, 2:48 pm

KSNW in Wichita has five on camera mets! And yes if you ever seen there adds all three station KSNW KAKE and KWCH say they have the "best team around!"
The only reason I post this is b/c even though ABC3340 is a vary good station and has the most and best coverage un the south, I still like KSN more than any station out there because they do the 3 Degree Guarantee and plus I used to live there for 14 years. James I know WBRC has 3 Degree Guarantee but they do not do what KSN does! Maybe you can start the NEW 3 Degree Guarantee!
To see what is so diff about it than WBRC go to this page: www.ksn.com/weather

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Posted by John T.
on April 30, 2006, 3:32 pm

I know Mr. Neal was laughing all the way with it , but how on earth did he get the "award" that he got ? James you were definately "robbed" of that one by 100 miles . And also their station , when 3340 does circles around them ? Anyway, like you said , the "ratings" speak for theirselves and that is 3340 all the way .

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Posted by www
on April 30, 2006, 4:08 pm

IT'S NOT RAIN!!!!
HERE IS A PIC THAT AT FIRST GLANCE IT LOOKS LIKE RAIN BUT IT IS NOT! IT'S A FOREST FIRE!
http://wxsouth.blogspot.com/2006/04/its-not-rain.html

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 4:56 pm

Now that's some innovative spamming! LOL When you look outdoors here, it's hard to realize that there are still places that can burn.

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 5:35 pm

NBC 13 runs a commercial reguarly that says 'Weather without all the hype'

I know that is aimed directly at James and crew, but I would rather a meterologist that does not just 'go with the averages' for his forecast. Anyone can do that, and those forecasts are readily available at weather.com and other similar sites.

thanks James and team for your dedication and hard work.

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 5:46 pm

I wouldn't know what those other stations claim. I don't watch them! I think they are jokes...

BTW, since when would the size of the weather staff matter to me, the viewer, during a time of severe weather? I don't say that bashing 33/40, but I don't see 33/40 running an ad claiming stuff like that! However, how is having more "weathermen" on staff gonna save my life if a tornado is bearing down on my neighborhood. It doesn't, but the said station is just being desperate for viewers.

When James Spann has those suspenders on, Brian Peters is out in Storm Chaser, Oldshue and Simpson are in the office, and J.B. is on the radio, you know something is happening, so it is time to keep the TV on ABC 33/40!

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 5:52 pm

Time to do some advertising of your own, James. Show this market you have the largest staff.

There is a difference between 33/40 and the "other guys". Simply put, the "other guys" seem to concentrate on the Birmingham metro area, and 33/40 seems to be equally over the DMA.

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 7:19 pm

I was watching that station and they mentioned they didnt have to buy viewers by offering I-Pods and Hi-Def TV's. I must say I don't watch the ABC3340 News@10 due to false advertising. It is the ABC3340 News@10 not 10:01,15 the actual time the news starts.

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Posted by John
on May 6, 2006, 12:57 am

*rolls eyes*

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Posted by
on April 30, 2006, 8:15 pm

I have been watching James Spann ever since he was with NBC 13 many year ago. I also followed him to WBRC 6 when he returned from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. When he left WBRC 6 to help start up ABC 33/40, I went with him.

James, I don't know what I'm going to do when you decide to retire? Stop watching weather? Thank you James for always being there for us. Your the greatest!

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Posted by John T.
on April 30, 2006, 9:18 pm

Even though its not me , my story is the same as the above John's story .

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Posted by www
on April 30, 2006, 9:57 pm

Yep

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Posted by
on May 2, 2006, 12:05 pm

Please understand - I'm not bashing at all... Just a simple observation: Everyone makes hype of their own... Whether they're Hummers, SKYCAMS, BLOGS, Podcasts, or Miss Molly, each of us choose to create signatures for ourselves in our own ways. I think what ABC 33/40 does with weather is unbeatable and Fox 6 is unmatched; both are equally intelligent and utilize very aggressive and contemporary designs and data to create their models, and weathercasts. Both stations present their weather in easy to understand terms, and are both challenged daily to market their weathercasts and ultimately, make the ratings which in turn rolls in the cash. Cannot say that I'm partial to anyone; I really don't watch the evening news that frequently, and only watch "the other guy" in the AM because they have a long-form local morning show that covers my personal schedule nicely.
Just a simple thought from a simple, objective mind...

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Posted by
on November 4, 2006, 5:59 am