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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

WBOC NewsPlex Goes Over The TOP!








On Tuesday I had the privilege to be the first source of Media to experience the WBOC High Definition Experience of what turned out to be an UNBELIEVABLE tour of their new Studio!

Ladies & Gentlemen, I have to tell you, there's nothing else like it in the Country. Right here in Salisbury is a new facility that out does any of the Major Studios in the United States. Millions upon millions of dollars was spent building their dream facility and once they get through the kinks and adjust to this new reality of television, you're not going to believe your own eyes when it comes to Broadcasting.

Craig Jahelka, the new VP and General Manager of WBOC personally invited me to come in and meet him one on one and tour the facility and I have to tell you, I was impressed. Not only is he a good, down to earth family man, everyone I know there loves this guy to death. In my hour and a half there I can see why. He's not your typical cut throat News Guy. He knows reality, he knows he and other Stations locally have young Staff but they plan for all of it. There's a 3 to 4 week internal Drill Academy they created in order to make sure that when their new people go on the air, they're ready for it. Many other locations around the Country hire them and simply put them on the Air.

While I was there they showed me some of the internal work behind the scenes, one of which was the more than 10 miles of wiring throughout the new facility. I was accurate in my Post the other day referencing their having hardwood floors but the real problems they were having was more towards the ceiling and upper level of the facility. So they brought in a specialist to absorb that sound throughout and they believe they have tackled that issue head on.

The raised floor is 18" above the concrete floor so they could run wiring throughout and each and every piece has panels 2' x 2' can be lifted to access pretty much anywhere they need to access it. They lifted one of the panels, (shown above in a photo) to give a better idea on just how it works.

While I was visiting, the Staff continues to do practice runs preparing to go LIVE in just a few more days. The main stage is a circular anchor desk stage that actually rotated around to the different back drops such as weather, news desk for breaking news stories, well you can see the different stages in the photos above.

Look, all I can tell you is, no one and I do mean no one will be able to top this Studio and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware will be able to catch up to these guys.

Here's what the new Vice President and General Manager had to say about Joe Albero and Salisbury News. "I’m absolutely fascinated with what you’re doing. You’re a new breed of journalist and I think the MSM, as you call us, could learn a lot from you." Craig Jahelka It's no wonder Salisbury News was invited to visit this complex first. Other forms of Media have been invited to tours of the facility in about a week from now. Oh, Craig, when do I pay you that $20.00 bill for making that statement? HA! Eat your hearts out Daily Times. Once again, they'll be about a week behind.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Apparently Mr. Draper's credo is "If you spend money you'll make money". I have to say, he does have the best toys. That Chopper 16 is awesome!

Anonymous said...

All this for the news ... in DOVER???
For the umpteenth time???

Anonymous said...

This station is in salisbury not dover

Anonymous said...

But all they report is Delaware news, so they may as well move to Delaware for the whole operation. WMDT, with the letters MD in there calls, seeem to understand that they serve this market primarily.

BTW - Alice Bavis is hot. She just is.

Anonymous said...

1. They might be the 1st to be like that in Chicken-neckerville, but not the country. Major markets have had this technology.

2. I know for a fact they didn't make that statement, because I called them on it.

3. You weren't the first press to enter, because they issued you a guest pass for general public, not press. The press tours and interviews will come in a few days.

All in the name of exposing your continued lies, Joe.

joe albero said...

Kiss My Ass Damien!

"Mr. Albero,

0A

Good morning. I wanted to reach out to you as I’ve become a daily reader of your blog.

Yesterday the promotion department here at WBOC/FOX21 sent out media kits to area reporters, and when I asked this morning if you were included on the mailing I was informed that they’d missed you on the initial mailing, but that Mary Borger, our promotion manager did get your address via e-mail last night. She’ll be sending you out a complete media kit today.

I’d also like to extend a personal invitation to come for a tour of our new high definition NewsPlex. I think you might find it interesting. Besides, I’d like to meet you. I’m fascinated by what you’re doing on line and would love the opportunity to chat with you about your blog.

If you have the time and the inclination, please let me know.

Warm Regards, Craig

Craig Jahelka

VP/General Manager

WBOC-TV / FOX 21 / Interactive

1729 North Salisbury Blvd.

Salisbury, MD 21801

410-749-1111

443-880-9090 fax"

Anonymous said...

i wonder where most of those nice shiny new pieces came from?, huh lets see "china maybe".

Anonymous said...

yes, they're in salisbury, but DO NOT report much in the way of salisbury news was my point @ 8:39.
i really don't care about what's going on in Dover, much less for the umpteenth time. what about something about salisbury?

Chimera said...

Digital or not,I am NOT please with WBOC.Having had Directv for 3 yrs I have made umptten requests for a waiver to get CBS on my satellite.WBOC turns them all down,claiming I can receive 16-How the hell do they know unless they come out here and tune in my tv?Even with a digital TV I simply CANNOT get a picture for ANY Salisbury channels because of the area I live in.I do however get alot of Norfolk area channels but none are CBS.So I just do not watch CBS.I know it has little to do with the station revamp I am just ticked because they do not care about viewers just their advertisers,.

Anonymous said...

They do not own the helicopter, they lease it. It is ashame they waste so much fuel with it. It is just one more way to make them "look important" to the stupid people that can't see past the fact that the WBOC staff forgot what "NEWS" is. If you can't do a good job at what you are suppose to be doing - at least try to make it look good.

Anonymous said...

Joe, I remember Craig when he was a reporter at WJZ in Balitmore your correct what a nice guy.

Anonymous said...

I must agree.... Alice Bavis IS hot! But so are WMDT's Sakai and Amenta... decisions, decisions!

Anonymous said...

This morning as I watched/tried to watch the new WBOC news, I counted 3 minutes of the "condensed" version of the news and 10 minutes of commercials... I will not be watching them any more... I want to hear local news and now I can't find it...Apparently they need to pay off the high dollar set with more commercials/less news.... It's a shame....