The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Some Things Even An Election Can't Interrupt

**Posted by RadioActive** November 5, 2024 8:26 pm

The American election coverage has been, as you'd expect, hot and heavy right out of the gate. NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and even PBS all went with wall-to-wall coverage right at the stroke of 7 PM Tuesday night, calling some of the state races for one candidate or the other.

With at least one exception.

On one of the most consequential and close votes in American history, WIVB in Buffalo chose to show its regular "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" combo in that 7-8 PM hour. I checked and yes, CBS was doing its own special at the time, so it was the station's decision to pre-empt it for the hour.

Proving, I suppose, that when it comes to saving democracy, not even an election can get in the way of the Wheel.

**Posted by paterson1** November 5, 2024 8:42 pm

That's pretty pathetic. So much for WIVB being a heritage television station in WNY.

**Posted by RadioActive** November 5, 2024 8:58 pm

I agree with you, but some viewers in other markets are less than happy.

Sadly, these people also get to vote!

‘Jeopardy! Fans Rage as Episode Gets Trumped by Election Night

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 5, 2024 9:01 pm

There's no useful national results until at least 8, and the polls haven't even closed in Michigan.

**Posted by paterson1** November 5, 2024 9:16 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
There's no useful national results until at least 8, and the polls haven't even closed in Michigan.

Doesn't matter. They blew it, all of their competition had coverage. Just so you know CP24 is ahead of everyone in the electoral count for some reason. My Bell Fibe is showing CNN election coverage in first, TSN Leaf and Bruins game, CBC Election next, CP24 and finally, Global with SNL's election special that ran last night on NBC.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 5, 2024 9:20 pm

How did they blow it?

If all the competition had coverage that didn't provide anything useful and they had the most popular shows in that hour, then they won.

**Posted by paterson1** November 5, 2024 9:26 pm

Disagree, a mistake. Their local news ratings will take a hit. WIVB represents CBS in WNY, CBS is struggling in news ratings at 6:30. This just confirms the weakness.

**Posted by RadioActive** November 5, 2024 9:32 pm

Actually, there were meaningful from at least 7 states in that first 7-8 PM hour. Not a lot of info, but they were able to make projections on a few key places while watching the early results from others. So it did serve a purpose.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 5, 2024 9:34 pm

paterson1 wrote:
Disagree, a mistake. Their local news ratings will take a hit. WIVB represents CBS in WNY, CBS is struggling in news ratings at 6:30. This just confirms the weakness.

If they already lag the rest in news ratings, then coming up the middle with more popular programming makes even more sense

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 5, 2024 9:36 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Actually, there were meaningful from at least 7 states in that first 7-8 PM hour. Not a lot of info, but they were able to make projections on a few key places while watching the early results from others. So it did serve a purpose.

A best some mildly interesting, but not meaningful stuff. It makes total sense for the Jeopardy/Wheel rights holder to skip that. Especially if there's nothing available locally.

**Posted by paterson1** November 5, 2024 9:38 pm

How the hell is CP24 showing Harris with 52 in the electoral college and Trump with 101? The US nets and CNN are no where near that.