Local TV news buries viewers with snow coverage

 

There was a time, years ago, when a snowstorm would only get a few minutes of local TV coverage in evening and late-night newscasts, followed by the most-anticipated snow coverage: the school closings.

Like so many other subjects covered by TV news these days, a big snowstorm like the one that hit us this week now means hours and hours of continuing coverage on television.

And like the rest of TV news, some of the coverage is critically important, and some is downright silly.

The important stuff first: When they finally got a handle on the storm, weathermen on every Washington and Richmond station began putting out warnings of significant snowfalls.

And then when the snow started to fall, most of them were able to call up sophisticated radar units and multicolored displays to show where it was snowing, where it was raining and everything in between.

Though they hedged their bets, most were able to show viewers which areas would get the heavy snowfall, and which would get lighter dustings.

This allowed viewers to prepare for what would turn out to be a serious snowstorm.

During this period, from the onset of the storm through its heaviest snowfall, the TV news folks are at their best, passing along forecasts, road conditions and other critical information.

But for some reason--I guess because they need pictures that say SNOW! --most of the TV stations simply can't resist sending legions of reporters out to do live remotes as the snow falls.

These reports begin with something like this: " Hi, I'm Pete Photogenic here in Silver Spring, where the snow is coming down like gangbusters. Here at the Mobil station off the interstate, folks are seeking solace and a full tank of gas."

Or this: " Hi, Maureen, this is Betty Beautiful reporting live from DuPont Circle. As you can see, it's snowing like crazy here and most people with good sense are staying inside. A few hearty souls craving Oreos are hoofing it to the Mini-Mart, but that's about it. Back to you, Maureen."

It always strikes me as a little silly the way they want the reporters to be standing right out in the snow, sleet or rain as they do their little " McMinutes" of live coverage.

Wouldn't that work just as well beneath a roof overhang or the front seat of the news van?

Somehow, the supposition is that having them stand out in the messy weather makes the whole report more real and dramatic.

Perhaps the local news stations are simply following the lead of The Weather Channel, which loves nothing more than throwing its staffers out in the path of hurricanes, snow storms and even an occasional twister or two.

In some ways, that's a little more understandable, since the whole point of that channel is reporting on the weather hither and yon. Showing their forecasters out in the weather is the ultimate proof of their predictive pudding, I guess.

But guys and gals, you don't have to stand their and get soaking wet to make us believe it's raining. Let the camera person behind you capture the downpour or the snow shower, while you stand safely below the convenience store awning or a wide umbrella.

It's still just as real.

Even worse than the footage of reporters standing out in the snow: live remotes from reporters standing in yards where snow trucks are filling up with salt.

Is there anyone in the world who doesn't know that when it snows, snowplows hit the roads?

Desperate for video in that time before snows actually begin, lazy TV reporters go and stand next to snow trucks getting ready. Even lazier ones stand next to the big piles of salt.

The silliest report I've ever seen had a TV reporter starting his stand-up next to the pile of salt, then slowly walking toward the camera to make the piece more dramatic.

Hold the presses! Snow trucks are out!

With a huge audience of folks already off on Monday because of the holiday, it's safe to say that a large percentage of homes watched snow coverage for hours.

The best parts came from enterprising reporters who found interesting characters out in the snow, either helping to clear it or venturing out on skis, snowmobiles or ATVs to enjoy it.

 

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