Right when WHDH’s 11pm newscast was to kick in a computer glitch knocked out the graphics and video material forcing the anchors to and ad-lib for at least 5 minutes, which probably felt like an eternity, while control room was desperately attempting to fix the glitch. Ultimately they could not resolve the problem quickly so control room switched the broadcast to MSNBC.
It’s important to note that both WSVN and WHDH have been adding new hardware behind the scenes recently in move to digitize both stations’ news broadcast. Worst nightmare for newsies for sure.
Boston Herald
Glitch knocks Channel 7 off air
Update 8/18: Boston Herald’s business section has more on WHDH’s problems video from the newscast
what a copout… even if main production switcher fails, show could have been punched from a router or master control switcher could have switched sources for the show. It’s stressful and tricky, but any production/engineering team with any knowledge has to have a backup plan in place and be ready to execute it immediately. What happens is, stations don’t like paying the high salaries for engineering and operations personnel because they think that “they sit around watching tv all day”. When the s*** hits the fan, you need trained people that can save your newscast (AND more importantly-the ad revenue). Most stations have 22year old button pushers that dont’ have a clue what happens if that button doesn’t light up or what to do next.
Been doing live tv for nearly 20 years, and the first thing you think about is “what’s my backup plan”, and saved more than one show by being ready. Would love to get the whole story about this fiasco.
anon, i cannot completely agree with you. while i understand your point that most stations skimp on enginnering and employ people who lack the qualifications to act in an emergency, what does the “button pusher” have to do with being 22? The fact that the person is 22 is irrelevant, because you could have a brilliant 22 y/o TD or enginner, and a 50 year old idiot. Just because a person is younger doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing.
Just my 2 cents…
point taken, but in my experience, haven’t met that many 22 yo’s. If they have the ability to think on their feet, solve problems and save station’s money (and talent’s faces) then they are valuable employees.
add my 2 cents and we still ain’t got a nickle ….