It looks like 2CC are gearing up for the next radio ratings again with their bus advertising starting to appear again. I have spotted one so far, but you can be sure there are more to come.
In some way I’m glad that I spotted the 2CC ad this morning, as the radio ratings period starts again on the 5th of August (and ends on the first of September), and I still have some radio reviews to get through from the last ratings period.
Obviously my radio review plan was a dismal failure as I underestimated the amount of time I would need to get through them. I’m not going to abandon the idea completely though, because I have a new plan which will take me far less time, and probably provide a better comparison between the stations. I still have to work out a few minor details first though, so I’ll give you more information about this at a later date.
In the meantime, the higher priority is finishing those radio reviews from the last ratings period!
Your earlier caller Tony certainly inhabits an interesting world…everything seems to run backwards there. Based on his logic, petrol enters cars because they move, and you get electricity because the light is turned on.
There once was a thing called ACTION A bunch of big buses with traction Then along came a Turnip He saw the timetable and said "burn it" Now the service is only a fraction
One of the bits of spam which is doing the rounds at the moment is the “I’m a bored girl and I want to chat with you” nonsense. I haven’t quite worked out what the purpose of these messages is from the spammer’s perspective, and I intend on replying to one just to see what happens.
Anyway…I know that all of the names that go along with these messages are automatically generated, but you would think the spammers would at least choose female names…I feel very sorry for any girl named “Darrel Proctor” or “Simon Schafer”.
On the other hand, perhaps I am receiving the only legitimate emails of this type, in which case I’m hardly surprised that these girls named Darrel and Simon are having a hard time finding men to chat with in the real world.
Here is a letter I have delivered to Ainslie Primary School for Julie Mayhew, one of my music teachers during primary school. I’ll let the letter explain the story.
Dear Ms. Julie Mayhew,
I don’t know if you remember me or not, but I was one of your students during my primary school years from 1993 to 1999, and I certainly remember you.
I am writing to you today to congratulate you on the Highly Commended honour you received in the 2007 National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education, it was very pleasing to hear that you are still teaching music, and even more pleasing to find out that you won, or to be more precise, earned an award for doing so.
I was listening to the 6am news on 2CC a couple weeks ago when the news first came through, and I remember thinking when they introduced the story “I wonder if this is a teacher that I know?” When I heard the rest of the story and heard that it was about you, I jumped straight on the phone, and expressed my congratulations to you during 2CC’s breakfast show.
As I think back to the annoying little rascal of a kid I was during primary school, I find it hard to believe that anyone found the patience to teach me…that, coupled with the fact that you were (and obviously still are) a brilliant music teacher, makes me incredibly pleased that you have received this recognition of your work.
I congratulate you on this award, and your magnificent efforts in teaching music, and I wish you all the best for the future.
I’m also privileged to be able to bring to you a report on the party WIN held for Peter following the bulletin, filed a short time ago by former WIN, and now 2GB, reporter James Goodwin, for which I thank him immensely.
At the end of the bulletin, past and present colleagues filled the WIN boardroom to reminiscence and share a drink with Peter. Channel 7’s Samantha Armitage and former weather presenter Tony Lynas were among those who flew in especially for the event.
There were a few brief speeches, New South Wales News Director Stella Lauri thanked Peter for his commitment to WIN, Jessica Good spoke on everyone’s behalf when she said how much she’d miss Peter, and Peter’s long-time on-air partner Phil Small had everyone laughing with his witty speech, peppered with many “in-jokes”.
Peter was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to wish him all the best in his retirement, and spoke with affection about the “terrific people he’s worked with”.
One of the highlights of the night was turning on the television in the boardroom and watching the ABC news and then Stateline. People were speechless when Stateline opened with Peter in the chair and saying “Hello and welcome to Stateline, I’m Peter Leonard”. It was all a friendly joke and a nice tribute to Peter. The laughs continued when Peter threw to a story “about me”.
One of Peter’s farewell gifts was the original WIN Television flag that flew in front of the Kingston studio. By the end of the night the flag was filled with everyone’s signatures and well wishes.
1. John Laws will retire in March 2008
2. John Laws made up a random date to see if Media Watch would jump on the discrepancy
3. The “eight months” figure is an error
I’m tipping the second option, but hoping for the first.
I think you need to have a word to Richard, if you get a chance have a listen to the log from the first few minutes of his show this morning. His daily piece of useless information for today was something you have been talking about for days…namely the percentage of people who look in the medical cabinets of others.
I suppose you are right when you say (in reference to your daily news summary) that you'll hear things on other shows during the day and be able to say "I already know that".
You're probably asleep right now, so I hope that by the time Abe reads this to you, you are refreshed following a good sleep.
Regards, Samuel Gordon-Stewart Canberra
Blog Note: “Who is Richard?” asks Matt by email…why it’s Richard John Sinclair Laws, better known as John Laws of course. End Note
This week the award goes to The Beatles (again), mainly due to the fact that the feature song was used to great effect in the tribute WIN Television put together for Peter Leonard. (And yes, for those of you who are wondering, I do have a bunch of things to post here that I haven’t done over the last few days).
There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never ever lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
What a wonderful nuisance a deranged satellite feed is. Duncan McCrea and T-Bone are filling in on 2CC again in the absence of a network feed.
One does have to wonder if the satellite is teasing them…it returned the NRL coverage to them for just long enough for them to think they could go home, and then dropped out again.
Hopefully Alistair and the rest of the Southern Cross Syndication technical team can get the satellite feed working again soon.
Samuel
Update: It sounds like Alistair has managed to put new batteries in the satellite. End Update
NRL Round 19 Sharks v Eagles Titans v Bulldogs Panthers v Dragons Storm v Raiders Knights v Roosters Tigers v Warriors Rabbitohs v Cowboys Broncos v Eels
AFL Round 16 Cats v Bulldogs Magpies v Bombers Crows v Dockers Eagles v Swans Saints v Hawks Lions v Blues Tigers v Power Kangaroos v Demons
As promised, here is a copy of the letter I will be delivering to WIN Television this afternoon (and hopefully be able to deliver to Peter Leonard in person).
Dear Mr. Peter Leonard,
I am writing to you to thank you for doing such a marvellous job as the newsreader on WIN News here in Canberra for as long as I can remember, and to wish you all the best in your retirement.
For as long as I can recall, you have been reading the news on WIN Television, and because of that you have been a constant and reliable part of my life.
News, as you know, is a vital part of our society, and relies on trustworthy people to deliver it. The fact that you have been warmly welcomed in to peoples’ homes every night for years is a testament to the trust and respect that people have in you. You have worked hard to earn that, and you deserve it.
I’m sure that very few of us will ever forget the way you, and the rest of the WIN News team, turned up at the WIN studios on the day of the devastating 2003 bushfires. None of you had to do this, but you did so because you all felt compelled to cover this terrible and extraordinary event, on a day that you weren’t even scheduled to be on the air.
Your commitment to delivering quality news and information to the Canberra and Queanbeyan community is something I greatly appreciate and thank you for, and I’m sure the rest of the community do as well.
I will greatly miss you. As I said, you have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, however you truly deserve a wonderful retirement, and I wish you all the best for your retirement. I hope it is as relaxing and productive as you desire.
Canberra won’t be the same without you reading the news each night, however I’m sure that Jessica Good will continue the great tradition you have been a part of.
Incidentally, I had a conversation with your former 2CA colleague John Kerr on the weekend, during which I mentioned to him that you are retiring. He said that he would send you a message, however I know that John can sometimes forget these things, so in case he didn’t get around to sending you a message, I would like to let you know on his behalf that he also wishes you all the best in your retirement.
Thank you for everything you have done for this community, you have been, and always will be, one of my idols.
Your Sincerely, with the best possible wishes for the future,
As many of you would already be aware, WIN News’ Canberra newsreader Peter Leonard is retiring at the end of tonight’s news following 16 years with the station. WIN television are putting on a special news bulletin to farewell Peter, the basic format will be the same except the news after the first ad break will be replaced by the sport, and the usual sport slot will be replaced by the weather, and the normal weather slot will be replaced by a tribute to Peter.
Jessica Good will be taking over as the primary newsreader next week, however no weather presenter has been appointed. It is expected that Jessica will read the weather from the news desk.
That reminds me, I need to pass on a message to Peter from his former 2CA colleague, John Kerr.
ABC Canberra’s television weather presenter John Ringwood is also having his last bulletin tonight. Rumour has it that 2CN’s (666 ABC Canberra for those of you not familiar with the callsign) garden expert will take over as the weather presenter. That might sound odd, but considering that last night they presented a five minute editorial from federal political editor Jim Middleton as news, no change in that place would surprise me.
I met John Ringwood once outside the ABC studios in Dickson and we had a rather lengthy chat. He seems like a gentleman, and I wish him all the best for the future. (Apparently that will involve some parliamentary reporting…maybe he could replace Jim Middleton).
Incidentally, I’ve been informed that prior to moving to WIN Television, Peter Leonard was the weather presenter for the ABC…which makes tonight’s events even more interesting.
Also of interest, it’s 2GB news director Ian Ferguson’s last day with 2GB. He is moving to a senior role with Sky News. 2GB current affairs director Jason Morrison will take over as news director until a replacement for Mr. Ferguson is found.
Later today I will publish the letter I have written to Peter Leonard…I intend on delivering it to WIN’s studios in Griffith Kingston (why do I always get those two suburbs confused?) this afternoon.
One thing that drove me nuts on Tuesday night was that, according to my television guide, Channel Nine were going to run a decent movie at 9:30, so I tuned in, only to discover it had been replaced by some nonsense about Victoria Beckham.
I was rather annoyed as I haven't seen the movie before and was looking forward to it…and to make matters worse, the Beckham special rated well.
I suppose the point is, random late changes to the television schedule drive me nuts.
A couple days ago a person who I won’t name urged me to “say nice things”, well it is my pleasure to be able to say a few nice things about a few people from 2CC and 2UE.
Last night 2UE’s satellite feed decided to take some unscheduled leave, which left a number of network stations (2CC included) in the rather precarious position of having their emergency tape filling in for the regular programming. Unfortunately I am unable to say anything nice about 2CC’s looped six minute ad break emergency tape except for “it’s better than dead air”, however I can say something nice about some people.
Duncan McCrea (the person who has, on top of his numerous other duties, done a great job of filling Kris McKenzie’s position of fill-in presenter when Mike Frame is unavailable) was out having dinner somewhere last night, only to discover when he got back to a radio that the loopy emergency tape was not doing a great job of entertaining people, so he drove in to 2CC and took over…at first playing some music whilst he found out what was going on, and then once T-Bone arrived from the other side of town at Duncan’s request to be the producer, started taking calls and running an almost normal show.
By midnight, 2UE technician Alistair had fixed the satellite (and, if Clive Robertson is to be believed, travelled in to space to do so) and normal programming was able to resume.
I have previously written about how I think radio station staff should care enough about their station to attempt to correct apparent problems when things go wrong like they did last night, and I would like to thank Duncan McCrea and T-Bone for their great effort last night in rescuing the station, and also I would like to thank Alistair for his effort, which not only allowed Clive Robertson to be broadcast as per usual, but also allowed people like Duncan and T-Bone to get some sleep and not be stuck at their radio station all night.
On a somewhat unrelated theme, I have been intending to write something nice about 2CC’s slightly changed imaging for the last few weeks. 2CC have updated the music they use to return from ad breaks, and have produced it in such a manner that it no longer drowns out network programming…this is a vast improvement and is another thing I am thankful for.
Now, if they could just do something good with the emergency tape (a new version of the old “down memory lane” tape perhaps?). As I mentioned to a 2CC staff member a month or two back, a six minute emergency tape is not long enough to reasonably cover any sort of major station outage. Starting the tape with an ad break is probably a good idea, especially to cover those occasions when the ad break pulse doesn’t come down the line…or 2UE manage to kill the news…or it rains heavily, however following it with some sort of backup program is essential if you want people to keep listening during such issues. There are few things which make people turn off quicker than the same ad break being played over and over and over and over and over.
Anyway, I’m supposed to be saying nice things right now…so thank you to Duncan, T-Bone, Alistair and the people (or person) responsible for the updated imaging (I can guess who it was, but if somebody can confirm it I’ll be happy to give them proper credit).
