Sorry FOX, but...
verdantFOX said:
Don't declare victory too early.
While I understand your meaning, this post is far, far, far too late.
If I remember correctly, Rosenblum and his supporters were declaring victory simply because the system had found its way into two local news stations. Sorry -- it's been over six months, and no one else has embraced this concept. Do you
really think we're "celebrating too early?" I sincerely doubt it. If this system were as groundbreaking as it was made out to be, it would still be around at New York 1. Remember them? They went OMB/VJ
over twelve years ago, and abandoned the system.
So, call me crazy, but I feel quite safe when I say the system's a failure. Shall we review the points?
1. The system was pitched by a "guru" who has no local news experience whatsoever.
None.
2. Both WKRN and KRON had their staff trained when the OMB/VJ experiment began. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the staff decided to leave
after they gave the OMB/VJ system a shot.
3. They were tired of having their asses handed to them by other stations
and their
own management,
proving that
only failing management teams would use such a ridiculous set-up.
4. Michael Stoll interviewed Rosenblum (and others) about the OMB/VJ system. Rosenblum denied most of what he was quoted as saying. When Stoll suddenly appeared to back up his article -- well -- I can't say I've ever seen someone backpedal as quickly as Rosenblum did.
5. Ever since word began trickling in about the OMB/VJ system's impending doom, Rosenblum has disappeared. His own blog is suddenly silent. He tucked tail and ran.
I suggest you re-read Alex Lucas' posts in this thread. Many of his points have nothing to do with management: the cameras were crap, they won't survive a year. Turning a story and
knowing the bona-fide
crew from the station across the street is going to kick your ass?
Lucas' posts are very well-written. He put himself on the line by giving us the tell-all of his experiences with the OMB/VJ system. I'm very appreciative that we have his opinion: someone who gave the OMB/VJ system an honest shot.
So, after all this, you think another station management team is going to come along and say, "Hey, what's that thing Young Broadcasting did? Drove out all their employees? Sent themselves belly-up? Got them ridiculed not only by others in the profession, but their own viewers?"
"Get me the checkbook. Give me the phone. There's a messiah I must call, and he doesn't come cheap."
... Right.