Monday, July 16, 2007
A GENERATIONAL THING
"I was listening to this show on...what was it...ummmm...I think 1080 on the AM...."
My skin crawled when one of our younger staff members didn't know he was listening to WTIC, the mother of all radio stations in Connecticut.
WTIC is still a dominant station, but it seems like yesterday there was WTIC...and there was everyone else.
I know. In the mid-to-late '70s I worked the morning shift for WPOP when it was all-news, and the competition was WTIC. Even worse, it was BOB STEELE on WTIC. It was where I first learned how good it hurt to bang your head against the wall.
But I digress.
My, how times have changed. He didn't know 'TIC's call letters?
How many people remember ours since we branded the station as NBC 30? (It's WVIT, by the way.) And for that matter, I'm still a bit surprised when people say, "Hey, you work for Channel 4." (Our location on most cable systems.)
The competition for your information and entertainment attention has exploded in the past 30 years. And nothing is pushing us harder than the internet. "New Media."
It's as immediate as TV, and much more portable, unless you carry a TV set around in your back pocket.
That's why you hear us say so often, "For more information, go to NBC30.com."
All of the old media have adapted to the times, and have embraced the new media to grow viewership, readership, and yes, business.
(NBC30.com is my home page at home in case the boss ever visits.)
But whenever I say that phrase, ("go to...") I am sensitive to the viewers who may not have computers, so I try to make sure all the vital information gets in the television story.
It's also one reason I've been blogging for 3 months now. To reach a younger crowd that is so plugged in, their computer is their main source of information.
Part of that crowd is my niece, The Fabulous Rachel.
I don't recall her ever asking about the content of any news broadcast I've done (though my memory isn't what it used to be), but when I started blogging...WOW...The Fabulous Rachel and I had some conversations that were, well, fabulous.
I'll bet she doesn't know the call letters of most TV and radio stations either. And I'll bet she doesn't care.
That's the way the business is going, and it's not for Uncle Gerry to lament...it's a reminder to Uncle Gerry to continue to adapt and evolve. (Though sometimes it's like dragging a mule.)
My skin crawled when one of our younger staff members didn't know he was listening to WTIC, the mother of all radio stations in Connecticut.
WTIC is still a dominant station, but it seems like yesterday there was WTIC...and there was everyone else.
I know. In the mid-to-late '70s I worked the morning shift for WPOP when it was all-news, and the competition was WTIC. Even worse, it was BOB STEELE on WTIC. It was where I first learned how good it hurt to bang your head against the wall.
But I digress.
My, how times have changed. He didn't know 'TIC's call letters?
How many people remember ours since we branded the station as NBC 30? (It's WVIT, by the way.) And for that matter, I'm still a bit surprised when people say, "Hey, you work for Channel 4." (Our location on most cable systems.)
The competition for your information and entertainment attention has exploded in the past 30 years. And nothing is pushing us harder than the internet. "New Media."
It's as immediate as TV, and much more portable, unless you carry a TV set around in your back pocket.
That's why you hear us say so often, "For more information, go to NBC30.com."
All of the old media have adapted to the times, and have embraced the new media to grow viewership, readership, and yes, business.
(NBC30.com is my home page at home in case the boss ever visits.)
But whenever I say that phrase, ("go to...") I am sensitive to the viewers who may not have computers, so I try to make sure all the vital information gets in the television story.
It's also one reason I've been blogging for 3 months now. To reach a younger crowd that is so plugged in, their computer is their main source of information.
Part of that crowd is my niece, The Fabulous Rachel.
I don't recall her ever asking about the content of any news broadcast I've done (though my memory isn't what it used to be), but when I started blogging...WOW...The Fabulous Rachel and I had some conversations that were, well, fabulous.
I'll bet she doesn't know the call letters of most TV and radio stations either. And I'll bet she doesn't care.
That's the way the business is going, and it's not for Uncle Gerry to lament...it's a reminder to Uncle Gerry to continue to adapt and evolve. (Though sometimes it's like dragging a mule.)
Posted at 9:43 AM by Gerry
12 Comments:
Gerry,
One thing children do teach you is to adapt and evolve (or perish), and yes Rachel is fabulous.
#2
Thanks for calling me Fabulous Gerry, I think your Fabulous too!
rachel
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rach...
You've ALWAYS been fabulous!
By the way, it's "you're"...not "your."
Sorry, I can't help myself.
Love, Gerry
Haha...hi Rach!
And I remember in the late 50s....my parents bought a detachable speakers stereo Hi-Fi...and one of the first TRUE stereo records was the original theme for "BROADCAST HOUSE." And that was the first time that I, as a little kid, experienced two channel sound. And I will never forget. I still have that album! Dusty, worn, but still unbelievable. Just like me! 50 plus years...that's tough for me to believe, but as John Lennon said...."We all shine on." WE ALWAYS WILL!
Thank you for correcting me Gerry I think you're Fabulous too, is this correct now?
Love, rachel
p.s. correct me if i'm wrong haha and hi peter n!
Absolutely correct!
Hi Gerry,
Hope you are aware that Rach's comment re: spelling was meant with the typical Brooks sarcasm. Charlie Savage would be proud of you for correcting her grammar.
RS28
RS28...you old Ballhawk, you.
Yes, I recognized the sarcasm because I had to wipe the drip of it off my screen. I'm so proud.
Gerry,
Thank you for correcting Rachel's spelling. Maybe you can explain why she should use "you're" instead of "your". My late mom was a perfectionist, especially when it came to spelling! Every room had a dictionary, and 7 children (all 12-14 mos. apart) never failed a Spelling test! I'll always remember my mom's cute little sayings on how to remember things..."i before e, except after c". Also, was Rachel's spell-check working? - (not that she should depend too heavily on that...).
Call me "old school" on this subject. Spelling and grammar matter.
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