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WBZ and WFXT to Share Resources
By Michael Page | May 19, 2009
It is a growing trend among local stations in markets across the country, and now resource sharing is coming to Boston.
WBZ-TV and WFXT-TV both confirmed today that sharing between the two stations will come in two phases.
Phase 1: Begins June 1
In the first phase of sharing, WBZ and WFXT will share one helicopter between the two stations. This means that the footage you see of a car accident or house fire will be the same on WBZ and WFXT. Although the video you see will be the same from the air, both stations will use the video in stories created by their own respective staffs. Both stations will also have discretionary time to use the aircraft if station specific stories require aerial video.
The biggest benefit to both stations in this first resource sharing phase will be fincial, as the cost to lease and operate a helicopter will be cut in half.
As you know, FOX 25 has made Doug Meehan Boston’s eye in the sky during their Morning News Show. When asked what Doug’s role would be under the new, shared helicopter plan the station would only confirm that Doug will still do traffic in the mornings. However, we hear that Doug will be doing the traffic reports from the ground.
Phase 2: No set date, likely summer or fall of this year
The details of the second phase are still being worked out. However, this phase will focus on ground video sharing. That means the two stations would only send one camera to some press conferences etc. Again, only the video, and not any reporting tasks, will be shared.
This phase of the sharing will allow channels 4 and 25 to free up their other resources, which in turn will allow them to cover more local stories, according to the stations.
WBZ said it would like to see other local stations join the resource sharing plan in the future.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4), WFXT (Channel 25) | 24 Comments »
May 19th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
So Meehan will not be doing traffic from the air. What about Joe Morgan for BZ radio?
May 19th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I don’t how the radio set up will change, if at all.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
So, they sold off SkyFox? I know they can’t sell Skyeye.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
No details were given as to which chopper will be used, but it will likely be chosen by whoever has a better lease agreement etc.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
WBZ Radio’s is from Metro Networks, which offers traffic reporting services to both radio and television stations.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Thats what I figured…thanks.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
The Fox chopper will be repainted generic colors and used for the Local News Service. The WBZ helicopter lease is ending sooner. Branding (SkyEye and SkyFox) will continue to be used on respective stations, however.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:43 am
They’ve already started sharing news footage. I saw the same video on a story used on 25 at 10 and 4 at 11pm.
I thought it was just me….
May 20th, 2009 at 7:45 am
At least they will (hopefully) only have to upgrade one helicopter for HD vs two – although that still probably wont happen for quite a bit!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Markey, they chopper sharing has not yet started. The video you saw may have been purchased from a third party source. For example, the video of the dog rescue here in Hingham a few months back was taken by a 3rd party and picked up by all the stations, so they all had the footage. Pool footage is/has been also used in some cases.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Well why did Erin Hawksworth have her hair slicked back disguising herself as Jonathan Elias for the 11:00 news on 4?
Only kidding….thanks Michael
May 20th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Is Randy Price returning to TV? Sources says Price, who abruptly left WHDH-TV (Channel 7) in February after 12 years, is being considered for an anchor/reporter position at WCVB-TV (Channel 5). Word is Price, one of New England’s most familiar on-air faces, will do test shots today. (The job’s been vacant since Jim Boyd left at the end of the year.) Price’s departure from Channel 7 was characterized by station boss Ed Ansin as a “mutual agreement,” but it’s clear the former anchor isn’t ready to retire. . .
May 20th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I think the Randy Price story deserves it’s own discussion… WOW!
May 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
This type of “consolidation of resources” is happening throughout local television. In addition to channel 25’s arrangement with WBZ, the Fox station will soon shut down its graphics department in favor of a “centralized graphics” operation in Florida.
Centralized master control centers are another form of consolidation on the rise.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Mike/Peter: Channel 5 is looking at him…nothing more at this point. I will keep you posted.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
Isn’t traffic the kind of thing that can be crawled across the bottom in the form of text during the morning newscast? With ’smart’ GPS’s and radio traffic reports, would there be any complaints at all if these ‘traffic people’ were summarily dismissed? The function does not seem to be a ‘need-to-have’ one by any means.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I agree Chris, I always thought traffic reports on TV newscasts were a bit superfluous.
I wonder if it would make more sense for Ch. 25 to slide Doug Meehan over to morning news reader/fill-in co-anchor, which would fill the role that’s been left vacant since ‘Q’ left their morning newscast.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I think that this is a great idea. I love Dougie, don’t get me wrong, but he seems to be more at home interviewing American Idol people and other celebs, and hobnobbing with fans on the ZipTrips.
I agree with I Witness News above for the most part about perhaps having Dougie fill Q’s old spot. But if he did, I have to admit that I’d miss his ugly sweaters and shirts. I’ve seen him filling in as anchor on holidays and such, and it’s always so odd to see him in a suit and tie.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Very interesting. But hey, if it is going to help them financially…Then so be it. I think that is a great idea…Especially since I like both stations. Great idea!
I wonder if it will work out as easy as they hope, however…Without any confusions and whatnot.
May 23rd, 2009 at 2:30 am
Keeping Doug Meehan on the ground is a good idea, both economically and environmentally.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
This has been a bad thing for me. Since WFXT is in Dedham and the copter was housed in Norwood, I could count on them for traffic information south of the city. Meanwhile, WBZ would rather tell you what’s going on in New Hampshire than admit that people drive through Foxborough even when there’s no Patriot’s game.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Where is Q?
June 25th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
She has gone to Detroit…http://hinghamweather.com/bostontvnews/?p=322
January 7th, 2010 at 8:46 am
[...] change was likely foreseen by most FOX 25 viewers, as Doug was taken out of the air when WBZ/WFXT joined into a chopper sharing program last [...]