This week's one inch snowfall triggered the usual panic in local media. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities to strike fear in us because of an abnormally mild winter, local TV reverted to their worst, outdated tricks once again.
Local stations could not resist filling 30% of the television screen with their logo, "Storm Center" sponsors name and a scroll of yoga studios, driving schools and bingo halls that were closed due to the inclement weather. 1970's habits die hard. Here's the why: In spite of having highly functional web sites to publish the "closings", they are unwilling to acknowledge where people go to access this information. I rarely watch network television. Witnessing this charade turned the experience of watching their prime time programming into a test of endurance.
If you remember Blockbuster Video, the record store at the mall and the Yellow Pages you realize that life changes in amazing ways. Add to the list the manner in which we watch TV. The changes are starting to occur and soon there will be little need to watch the weather follies.
TV viewers want to watch TV. Someone who is hysterical about whether Chuck E. Cheese is open can either call the business, or check online. No need to interrupt...or distract. Just ask your customers, they will tell you.
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