Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
*All* APT2Go Posts About GOP Debate Vanish
12 Step Programs have a great suggestion: "Restraint of tongue and pen." In my case, it needs to be updated to include computer keyboards.
There are times I type before I think. Sometimes, white-hot text ends up being published here on NothingButChange.com, but only before it gets deleted from public view when I realize how silly/angry/useless my frustration on behalf of NBC local sales is. But it's never because I'm embarrassed about the decisions I've made; it's about how I said them.
Who knew that NBC would do a revisionist history regarding Monday night's GOP debate scheduling fiasco? I'm sure it's not about the coverage; it's about how they handled the On/Off/On/ItNeverHappened communication with affiliates.
There are times I type before I think. Sometimes, white-hot text ends up being published here on NothingButChange.com, but only before it gets deleted from public view when I realize how silly/angry/useless my frustration on behalf of NBC local sales is. But it's never because I'm embarrassed about the decisions I've made; it's about how I said them.
Who knew that NBC would do a revisionist history regarding Monday night's GOP debate scheduling fiasco? I'm sure it's not about the coverage; it's about how they handled the On/Off/On/ItNeverHappened communication with affiliates.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
NBC ReSchedules GOP Debate for Monday, Jan 23
No, this is not an old post. Yes, on Wednesday, NBC told the world the GOP debate would air, then on Friday, it cancelled the debate, restoring Fear Factor and Rock Center to Monday's prime, but too late for most traffic departments to deal with the change without working late.
Then, after the mess has been all cleaned up and the curses aimed towards 30 Rock are barely off traffic department lips... and Saturday afternoon, NBC changes Monday night prime, again.
Posted Saturday afternoon, NYC time:
Update: Several hours later, all postings on the public APT2Go website regarding the On/Off/On made in the last 24 hours have been deleted. Like it never happened.
Then, after the mess has been all cleaned up and the curses aimed towards 30 Rock are barely off traffic department lips... and Saturday afternoon, NBC changes Monday night prime, again.
Posted Saturday afternoon, NYC time:
Posted: 01/21/2012 12:13:50 PM
Air Date: 01/23/2012 Monday
Start Time: 09:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC NEWS SPECIAL
Duration: 01:59:30
Type: Announcements
Message: The NBC News Republican Candidates Debate on a Special Edition of Rock Center will air on Monday, 1/23 at 9p-10:59:30pm ET/PT and 8p-9:59:30pm CT/MT. Please see schedule for format details and updated contingencies.
Update: Several hours later, all postings on the public APT2Go website regarding the On/Off/On made in the last 24 hours have been deleted. Like it never happened.
Friday, January 20, 2012
NBC Cancels GOP Debate In Prime for Monday Night
You know, I have no words for this. But I'll bet there are more than 200 traffic departments in America who have very harsh words for this kind of scheduling.
I guess if the O&O's can deal with this, everyone else can, right?
The above was accurate all Friday. For example, look at the press release NBC sent out late Friday afternoon at TheFutonCritic.
While it still exists on the NBC Press Release website, here are the details for the Fear Factor episode.
You would think that would end the matter regarding Monday's primetime, right?
Wrong.
See the post from Saturday, January 21 above.
Posted: 01/20/2012 12:51:41 PM
Air Date: 01/23/2012 Monday
Start Time: 10:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: ROCK CENTER WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS
Duration: 00:59:30
Type: Announcements
Message: Prime Time reverts to original schedule on this night. Rock Center with Brian Williams is booked at 10pm ET. Please see updated schedule.
Posted: 01/20/2012 12:50:25 PM
Air Date: 01/23/2012 Monday
Start Time: 09:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: FEAR FACTOR
Duration: 01:00:00
Type: Announcements
Message: Prime Time reverts to original schedule on this night. Fear Factor is booked at 9pm ET. Please see updated schedule.
I guess if the O&O's can deal with this, everyone else can, right?
The above was accurate all Friday. For example, look at the press release NBC sent out late Friday afternoon at TheFutonCritic.
While it still exists on the NBC Press Release website, here are the details for the Fear Factor episode.
You would think that would end the matter regarding Monday's primetime, right?
Wrong.
See the post from Saturday, January 21 above.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Fear Factor & Brian Williams Pre-empted Next Monday
For the GOP Primary Debate:
All RDRx clients have been updated and published.
Now, it's up to local sales to move all of the spots already sold in FF and Rock Center W BW, and up to traffic to rebook them.
At least ODI readers here know about it before most, and all my clients have already gotten emails from their servers tonight.
Next day comment:
Found this on FutonCritic.com before dawn Friday morning:
Posted: 01/19/2012 04:31:37 PM
Air Date: 01/23/2012 Monday
Start Time: 09:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC NEWS SPECIAL
Duration: 01:59:30
Type: New Booking
Message: NBC NEWS SPECIAL: REPUBLICAN DEBATE is now booked.
All RDRx clients have been updated and published.
Now, it's up to local sales to move all of the spots already sold in FF and Rock Center W BW, and up to traffic to rebook them.
At least ODI readers here know about it before most, and all my clients have already gotten emails from their servers tonight.
Next day comment:
Found this on FutonCritic.com before dawn Friday morning:
[01/20/12 - 06:03 AM]
NBC to Air Florida Republican Presidential Primary Debate on Monday, January 23 at 9:00/8:00c
The event, taking place at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, is being sponsored by NBC News.
[via press release from NBC]
"NBC NEWS SPECIAL"
(X) "REPUBLICAN DEBATE"
01/23/2012 (09:00PM - 11:00PM) (Monday) :
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Betty White, All Over Again This Saturday Night
Posted: 01/17/2012 05:38:39 PM
Air Date: 01/21/2012 Saturday
Start Time: 09:30:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: BETTY WHITE'S OFF THEIR ROCKERS
Duration: 00:30:00
Type: New Booking
Message: BETTY WHITE'S OFF THEIR ROCKERS is booked.
Posted: 01/17/2012 05:37:28 PM
Air Date: 01/21/2012 Saturday
Start Time: 08:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC SPECIALS
Duration: 01:30:00
Type: New Booking
Message: BETTY WHITE'S 90TH BIRTHDAY: A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S GOLDEN GIRL is booked.
Hmm.. not much time for local stations to turn this around and sell it. Saturday's logs should be done in 48 hours. Ah, well.
NAACP Image Awards on Friday, 2/17
Air Date: 02/17/2012 Friday
Start Time: 08:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
Duration: 02:00:00
Type: New Booking
Message: NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is booked.
This plus other changes to First Quarter NBC Prime have been published to RDRx Gold clients, and is being changed now on Silver clients' MediaOffice systems.
They should see updates later today.. it helps they are in Mountain Time Zone, at least this month.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sunday Nights Change in February
Including an OTO of Fear Factor on February 12th..
RDRx clients will find these changes in inventory on Tuesday.
OneDomain offices will be closed on Monday for the federal holiday.
RDRx clients will find these changes in inventory on Tuesday.
OneDomain offices will be closed on Monday for the federal holiday.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Ryder Cup Booked
Ryder Cup (Golf) (9:00am-7:00pm ET)
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Ryder Cup (Golf) (12:00n-6:00pm ET)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Oooohhh... and new MLS bookings in 3rd and 4th Quarter.
Things are getting very busy, and look promising.
Part of the problem with updating NBC sports is before an RD gets done with the hundreds of individual lines of inventory, each with their own audience estimates, NBC moves things around.
But efforts like the transparent labels on Sports Specials do give me hope.
All RDRx NBC Stations should have updated Sports by early next week.. I have a feeling there's more to come from 30 Rock between now and Friday at 6pm.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Attention: NBC Stations.. There's Good News In Nov11 PAVs
Because I've been working with NBC Sports and Nielsen ratings for the past 13 years, I've had to accept the convention NBC used to title their sports specials for Nielsen use. You know, the ever so helpful
Back when I was the RD for a group of NBC stations, I told NBC that no other broadcast network hid the content of their required weekend programming in this way, and it made the accurate planning, purchase and posting of these sports specials virtually impossible.
Like nearly everything I do, I pleaded for a change with such a passion, Maria Enriquez said "Wow, you're really angry about this."
Well, starting in October of 2011, NBC changed, and for the good.
Here are some of the NBC sports specials titles as submitted to and used by Nielsen for October and November:
Now, isn't this a little easier to understand?
"NBC SPT SP 4/24
"NBC SPT SP 5/8B..."
Back when I was the RD for a group of NBC stations, I told NBC that no other broadcast network hid the content of their required weekend programming in this way, and it made the accurate planning, purchase and posting of these sports specials virtually impossible.
Like nearly everything I do, I pleaded for a change with such a passion, Maria Enriquez said "Wow, you're really angry about this."
Well, starting in October of 2011, NBC changed, and for the good.
Here are some of the NBC sports specials titles as submitted to and used by Nielsen for October and November:
GYM-WRLD-10/15
SKATE AMR10/22
AUTMN-KEEN-NBC
GYM-WRLD-10/16
RUGBY-CUP-NBC
RUGBY-FNL-NBC
DIAMND LGE-NBC
ISU-FG SKT11/5
NBC SKT SP11/6
ISU-FG SKT11/13
NBC SK SP11/13
Now, isn't this a little easier to understand?
2012 Notre Dame Broadcasts Booked on APT
Air Date: 09/08/2012 Saturday
Start Time: 03:30:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
Duration: 03:30:00
Type: New Booking
Message: The 2012 Notre Dame Football package is now booked for the following dates: 9/8, 9/22, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 11/3 and 11/17
Good timing! I'm updating all my NBC clients this week with sports inventory and estimates, as per the last few posts here.
Monday, January 9, 2012
NBC Sports Updates Continue for Clients
At this point, it looks like about 212 NBC sports events and specials in 2012, not including the 2012 Olympics and the threatened onslaught of Olympic Trials in prime this summer. (Hey, it's cheaper than coming up with real prime programming!)
As you might imagine, coming up with reasonable and fair audience estimates for hour-long OTO weekend events is difficult at best. Some of my clients have several years of back-data, while others have almost none, so each station's estimates have to be built entirely for them, one by one.
This is why most stations don't bother with these programs in inventory, and they end up being sold as part of fire-sale rotators, or a dumping ground for rookie traffic employees. There's a huge difference in audience composition between these events, but after 12 years of handling them, I've got a pretty good idea of how they perform in various markets.
But in times where corporations are making budget cutbacks without real-time awareness of what harm they do, gleaning a thousand extra local spots a year, with full audience estimates and rationale listed in MediaOffice for sale, probably isn't a bad idea.
NBC Sport Updates continue for clients in Phoenix and Albuquerque this week.
As you might imagine, coming up with reasonable and fair audience estimates for hour-long OTO weekend events is difficult at best. Some of my clients have several years of back-data, while others have almost none, so each station's estimates have to be built entirely for them, one by one.
This is why most stations don't bother with these programs in inventory, and they end up being sold as part of fire-sale rotators, or a dumping ground for rookie traffic employees. There's a huge difference in audience composition between these events, but after 12 years of handling them, I've got a pretty good idea of how they perform in various markets.
But in times where corporations are making budget cutbacks without real-time awareness of what harm they do, gleaning a thousand extra local spots a year, with full audience estimates and rationale listed in MediaOffice for sale, probably isn't a bad idea.
NBC Sport Updates continue for clients in Phoenix and Albuquerque this week.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Lots Of Sports Specials Changes for Third Quarter
Posted: 01/06/2012 01:29:22 PM
Air Date: 07/01/2012 Sunday
Start Time: 02:30:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC SPORTS SPECIALS
Duration: 01:30:00
Type: New Booking
Message: THE 2012 3RD QUARTER NBC SPORTS SPECIAL PACKAGE is now booked on the following dates: 7/1, 7/8, 7/14, 7/15, 7/22, 8/18, 8/19, 8/25, 8/26, 9/1, 9/15, and 9/16. Please see contingencies on these dates for further details and impact to other dayparts. Please advise clearance.
My job would be much easier if I enjoyed watching sports on television.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
It's Time for Massive NBC Sports Specials Updates
With Comcast renaming Versus to NBC Sports Network, local NBC stations might see the nature of their own sports special scheduling changing this year. Versus has featured huge Tour D'France coverage for years, and cycling events are more likely to show up now on NBC.
Each year, the first two weeks of January are devoted to updating the hundreds of tiny NBC Sports Specials coming in 2012 that most stations simply don't have the time to track and list, one by one.
Although this is our most expensive type of service offered, RDRx NBC Sports clients can opt for various levels of sports inventory and estimates; each one done by hand, using multiple years and overnights, market by market, by me and no one else.
Air Date: 05/06/2012 Sunday
Start Time: 02:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC SPORTS SPECIALS
Duration: 01:00:00
Type: Title Change
Message: Program title changed to GIRO D'ITALIA (CYCLING).
Each year, the first two weeks of January are devoted to updating the hundreds of tiny NBC Sports Specials coming in 2012 that most stations simply don't have the time to track and list, one by one.
Although this is our most expensive type of service offered, RDRx NBC Sports clients can opt for various levels of sports inventory and estimates; each one done by hand, using multiple years and overnights, market by market, by me and no one else.
Saturday's Playoff Teams Announced
Air Date: 01/07/2012 Saturday
Start Time: 04:30:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Duration: 03:00:00
Type: Announcements
Message: NFL Wildcard Playoffs 1/7/12: Team match-ups have been announced: GAME #1: Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans; GAME #2: Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints. Please see updated contingencies for further details.
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012 Starts With A Program Change
Posted: 01/01/2012 10:21:03 PM
Type: Announcements
Message: Please see updated schedule and operating conditions for Monday, January 2nd: Due to warm weather conditions, NHL Winter Classic is being delayed to approx 3pm ET. "NBC Sports: A Storied History" will air at 1pm ET for approx 2 hours and will include live updates from the site of the Winter Classic in Philadelphia.
The last time I was in Philadelphia in winter, it got warmer later in the afternoon, not colder. Hey, who knows?
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