I've been involved in the media for 36 years. Not everyone will agree with these findings.
Radio:
-WJQZ, Wellsville: This station seems to often top the recognized ratings charts. Between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., it is 'live' more than not. It does plenty of local programming, interviews and 'on location' broadcasts. The morning show lacks a team effort and is dry. The news, because it is live, is updated timely. The news however, lacks appropriateness. There could be a major block fire on Wellsville's Main Street and the station still begins with a state (often downstate) story. (The lead story is the most important)! There is some local news coverage. Seriously, though, airing weak audio from a county meeting for 35 seconds is not impressive. The fact that local station staff are at the meeting, is. You are a station in Wellsville, yet fail to cover village and town government or the school board. Also, stop reading press releases that air for a minute and 35 seconds. You are a radio station...if the story runs beyond twenty seconds...you have lost the audience. The effort is there, but...
-WLSV, Wellsville: This is the heritage station in Wellsville, AM 790. Co-located with WJQZ, run by the same owner, the comments on the news are the same as above. I do not, nor should you, discount AM radio. In New York City and other major cities, several of the top ten stations are AM. In Wellsville, WLSV still offers local thoughts, birthday's, etc. The classic show "Hotline" remains. The station runs a classic country format via satellite. It should be a news/talk radio format - too many far more powerful and better country formats out there. The station makes an attempt to provide local sports coverage...but when the sun sets, the station is reduced to under 40 watts of power. A waste. Both WJQZ and WLSV should be scolded for not streaming online. In 2017, it is shameful for a station not to stream. No excuse. And don't tell me you can't sell it and certainly don't tell me people 'round here don't listen online. If that's what you think, you are worse than I imaged.
-WZKE, Wellsville/Alfred: This is primarily a satellite fed radio station that plays current country music. Yep, there is local news, but it is not live and repeats. The news is regional and comprehensive. The station uses a weather service, like many others in the region. It's adequate. The station offers local remote broadcasts. For right now, the station thrives because of regional radio legend Rod Beihler. This guy has been the voice of local radio for decades. The station would excel if it wasn't a satellite feed of canned music. This station doesn't stream either. The station, well at least the owners, don't get it.
-WQRW, Wellsville/Alfred: The station has a good signal, but that is about it. You'll either like the music or not. There is no local news. The owner asked me to do it for free, with a 12 page contract. I declined. There are no real people at this station either. The on-air people sound local...they aren't. Everything happens in another state and is electronically downloaded to Wellsville. Drive by the Railroad Avenue 'studio' in Wellsville and you will see an empty building. Basically, an iPod with a transmitter. They say they stream...sometimes.
Newspaper/ Wellsville Daily Reporter: This is a tricky one. I have a love/hate relationship with the WDR. They remain vital, but have taken hits over the years (like most print). The online content has become weaker in the past few years. There is still this old fashioned notion that people must read the print edition ($$) and screw online. Somebody should tell the upper level bosses that you can make handsome money selling the digital product. Hmmm, how does the NY Times or Washington Post survive by riding the digital wave with breaking stories. The Daily Reporter has had some challenges, for sure. It remains, however, viable. It is still the only daily newspaper inside the county. Yes, these the newspaper misses things and make errors. So do I. I think the fact that the newspaper still continues speaks to its success. It still publishes. Not all print endeavors can say that.
- Times Herald: Sometimes the newspaper sizzles, sometimes not so much. The coverage in Allegany County is not predictable. However, there is nothing awful to report.
- Cuba Patriot/ Alfred Sun: Both publish locally. They have a small foot print, but loyal following.
