All 3 Providence TV Stations Pass On Bristol Parade
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
This story comes from a reader tip.
While history was made again in Bristol yesterday with the parade, a different kind of history was made. All 3 Providence TV stations were given the chance to broadcast some of that history live - but decided to take the waive.
Back in October of 2010, it became clear to the Bristol 4th of July Parade Committee that Channel 6, who broadcast the parade in July of 2010 and had all the broadcast rights, was not going to support the parade this year. So the committee went right to work. "We sent out letters to all the stations and then we followed up" said Judy Squires, General Chairman of the Bristol 4th of July Parade. "It was a new problem we had to deal with". Squires said each station manager received a follow-up phone call from the committee to try and keep the broadcasting of the parade alive.
Thanks...But No Thanks
Squires says despite the best efforts of the committee which by the way are all volunteers, no luck.
None of the stations could find a way to make it work. Squires said it appeared that a combination of cost and available personnel perhaps guided the decision. There was some hope that people could watch the parade live on Channel 36. The committee had made some real head way there. But the air time was one thing. Finding the money to pay for equipment, techs and photographers was another so that idea fizzled out.
So for the first time in maybe 15 to 20 years, the Bristol 4th of July parade was not carried live on any Providence television station. Bristol/Warren cable carried it and also streamed it on their website but it's not the same. Try telling my 86-year old neighbor to "stream" it on his computer.
Former Channel 6 Owner Failed to Pay
GoLocal has learned that Global Broadcasting of Southern New England who used to own Channel 6 when the station broadcast from the parade last year never paid $10,000 in broadcast rights fees to the Committee. In addition, Squires says the station also took $750.00 worth of tickets to the Bristol Parade Ball - and did not pay for that as well. That said, the station still had the rights to all the sponsorships for the parade which means they could sell commercials to air during their parade coverage. The committee was counting on that money for sure. "The agreement was for us to be paid a certain amount to help with the whole celebration."
Providence TV Misses A Golden Opportunity
Each of the 3 Providence stations blew a real opportunity this year for different reasons:
Channel 6: More than any of the other stations, why wouldn't Channel 6 step up and do the parade this year and also make good on the nearly $11,000 the former owner failed to pay? This would have been a great chance for the new owners to say "hey we're invested in RI - we care- and we want Southern New England to see this parade. Not to mention they are trying to win viewers and showcase their new female anchor.
Channel 12: This event was always a place to shine for 12. They carried the parade live for many years and helped to create the star that was Karen Adams. 12 also has a new female anchor that could use some positive promotion.
Channel 10: As the heritage station in town, this should have been something they grabbed in a minute. Another way to showcase their commitment to the community. A no-brainer in my opinion.
There is no question TV stations here and everywhere are forced to cut back. And that was more than likely a driving factor in the decision.
But as a native RI'er, the Bristol 4th Parade is as RI as it gets. Cut something else to cover this.
Because what is next?
No more school cancellations on TV when it snows because that costs too much?
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