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Author
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Topic: Working for a #2 station isn't that bad...right?
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Ty4255
Member
Member # 11388
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posted November 29, 2006 07:58 AM
Just wondering what everybody's opinion is for those who work for a #2 station (or #3 or #4 for that matter). Its hard to get a foot in the door at #1 stations, and I know a lot of people who work for #2 stations and are perfectly content. But does it always bother you that you aren't at the #1 station? When you go on assignments and you always run into that same reporter from the #1 station, its got to run through your mind that you despise that person or station for being #1.
I could imagine that is might get frustrating when you work for a station that has the resources, has the talent, has the money $$$$, and just can't take that Number 1 spot in the ratings.
I was just wondering people's thoughts on this.
Posts: 23 | From: Carolinas | Registered: Oct 2006
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TV Dad
Senior Member
Member # 1505
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posted November 29, 2006 08:02 AM
Just be glad that you're working at ANY station...the rest will work itself out. If you survive in the business long enough, you'll probably see the #1 position change hands several times.
Posts: 1284 | From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Registered: Mar 2002
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bride
Senior Member
Member # 5877
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posted November 29, 2006 08:04 AM
I've worked at a #3, a #2 and a #1. I'm at the #1 now, and it's the best job I've had in TV, however there's a "laziness" at #1 stations because you know you could probably report about a bug crawling up the wall and still be #1 (for a while anyway). Solid #1's tend to rest on their laurels.
I learned the most at the #2. They're trying so hard to be #1 that they work everyone real hard. Actually, you often find the best quality news product at the #2 and #3 stations.
And no, I don't think it will bother you. When you sink your teeth into your job, you won't be thinking about being #2 all the time. But you will be comparing your product to theirs all the time.
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"I marvel at it all the time. I'm the luckiest cat in the world."
- Hugh Hefner
Posts: 1483 | From: Far away | Registered: Apr 2004
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TV Dad
Senior Member
Member # 1505
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posted November 29, 2006 08:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by sleigh bride:
I've worked at a #3, a #2 and a #1.
Hey, me, too! And they were all the same station! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posts: 1284 | From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Registered: Mar 2002
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kneedinthegroin
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2166
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posted November 29, 2006 10:10 AM
Don't get fooled by the hype of being at a #1 station. In most situations they're still living off past glory and have gotten lazy. Viewer habits are hard to break. Just because a station is #1 doesn't mean it puts on the best product.
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God is not a republican....or a democrat
The Bible is the single most shoplifted book.
Posts: 2834 | From: Slightly south of normal | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sparky
Senior Member
Member # 3621
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posted November 29, 2006 10:26 AM
Having worked at both, it's a lot more fun being number two then number one. As a number two you know you can always become number one. As a number one you know that the only place to go from here is down to number two. Getting there is much more satisfying than being there.
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The President is at most a sociopath and at least an elitist, narcisistic prick.
Posts: 689 | From: anywhere but here | Registered: Jun 2003
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Pro
Open Line Veteran
Member # 5396
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posted November 29, 2006 12:44 PM
Unless you are in management, it shouldn't matter.
What should matter is the pay, benefits and working conditions.
Posts: 11461 | Registered: Feb 2004
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McCovey Cove Returns
Open Line Veteran
Member # 6507
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posted November 29, 2006 01:02 PM
I've never really cared about the whole #1, #2, or whatever we're at in ratings thing. The absolute most important thing, regardless of market size and ratings, is whether your owners will pay you well and have good benefits. I'd much rather be well paid, have good health insurance, a solid-401k plan, and have reasonably competent managers and co-workers at a number 3 station than work for a cheap number 1 station.
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That's liking trying to f*ck while doing your taxes and singing karaoke. There are some things that you just shouldn't do at the same time.--markminn
Posts: 2818 | From: surrounded by 4 walls | Registered: Jul 2004
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amp
Open Line Veteran
Member # 354
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posted November 29, 2006 01:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by kneedinthegroin:
Don't get fooled by the hype of being at a #1 station. In most situations they're still living off past glory and have gotten lazy. Viewer habits are hard to break. Just because a station is #1 doesn't mean it puts on the best product.
You are correct, sir! Working for any station that wants to stay in first place or overtake a first place station is nice. But, if you can get a decent gig for yourself, regardless of rank, go for it!
Posts: 1932 | From: UC-Sunnydale | Registered: Apr 2001
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Sir Dropham Pants
Open Line Veteran
Member # 4433
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posted November 29, 2006 01:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Pro:
Unless you are in management, it shouldn't matter.
Or if you are a main anchor. Ratings absolutely matter in that position.
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Pro
Open Line Veteran
Member # 5396
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posted November 29, 2006 02:40 PM
Yeah, that too.
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TVMattNYC
Open Line Veteran
Member # 4950
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posted November 29, 2006 05:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Pro:
Unless you are in management, it shouldn't matter.
What should matter is the pay, benefits and working conditions.
AMEN.
I do my job to the best of my ability, then I go home. As long as it doesn't affect my paycheck, it's simply not my concern.
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Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
Posts: 3839 | From: New York City | Registered: Dec 2003
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newsjunkie2003
Member
Member # 4363
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posted November 29, 2006 07:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by News Vampire:
I've never really cared about the whole #1, #2, or whatever we're at in ratings thing. The absolute most important thing, regardless of market size and ratings, is whether your owners will pay you well and have good benefits. I'd much rather be well paid, have good health insurance, a solid-401k plan, and have reasonably competent managers and co-workers at a number 3 station than work for a cheap number 1 station.
To quote an earlier post -- AMEN!
Posts: 36 | From: undisclosed | Registered: Sep 2003
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Banned
Member
Member # 11765
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posted November 29, 2006 08:25 PM
I've worked at a 1, 2 and 4. My check was always the same since I am a Reporter. But let me ask you this...do you really give a rat's arse about a reporter from another station because they happen to work at a #1? That's the lamest thing I ever heard. Most of the reporters that work at the number 1 station in my market blow and I couldn't care less about them. A station isn't #1 because of their reporters. You think otherwise you're insane or your ego is god-like.
Posts: 131 | From: Midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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Can't Keep Me Down
Open Line Veteran
Member # 9909
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posted November 29, 2006 09:11 PM
Station rankings shouldn't matter. But they do for management and sales and, eventually, your paycheck.
But, I've had a better time and learned more and put out better product at #2 and #3 than #1..like others have said...#1's are sleeping giants after a while...it's more fun to try and knock them down.
Posts: 1684 | From: Here, There and Everywhere | Registered: May 2006
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WxGuru
Senior Member
Member # 1765
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posted November 29, 2006 09:34 PM
If you're working, that in and of itself, is a good thing.
No matter if you're working for a #2 or a number 10, turn out YOUR product like you're at a number 1 and trying to hold on to that top slot.
Do that long enough (and right enough) and you'll be at a number 1.
A job well done is its own reward...however, you gotta buy food & beer, too.
![[Cheers]](graemlins/cheers2.gif)
Posts: 605 | From: Midwest | Registered: Jul 2002
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adam & doctor drew
Open Line Veteran
Member # 6211
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posted November 29, 2006 11:07 PM
solid number 2's are the best places.
they're usually aggressive about doing it right.
number 1's have an arrogance about them, as if they're doing YOU a favor by letting you work there.
number 3's are usually so far out of the game, they don't care.
Posts: 2468 | From: midwest | Registered: May 2004
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Roy Hobbs
Open Line Veteran
Member # 8266
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posted November 29, 2006 11:58 PM
"you dirtbags have been in third place for five years!"
Posts: 11544 | From: Shermer, IL 60062 | Registered: Mar 2005
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