During the severe weather this past September, Channel 5 literally pre-empted or otherwise monopolized all scheduled programming for at least two hours from 5-7 p.m.; and we missed one of our favorites: Wheel of Fortune.
In disgust we switched to Channel 4 and they were assuring viewers that they would keep us up to date on the weather by using the commercial break time only, thus allowing us to see the scheduled programming without interruption. Wow. What a considerate action for the 98 percent of us viewers who had only a casual interest in the weather reporting because it didn't directly affect us. And yet, the commercial break reports we received were quite sufficient to keep us totally knowledgeable of the storm's progress. I further applaud Channel 4 because I assume they lost commercial income for not airing scheduled commercials during this time.
Channel 5, here is the lesson you should heed: Yes, your weather personnel and technical support are perhaps the best in the area, but the primary reason we watch TV is for entertainment, plus news and weather; but the latter only at their scheduled times. At no time do we care about your lessons in meteorology, nor your prolonged and repetitive reports about the progress and anticipated movement, over and above what could be covered in commercial time.
Take a lesson from Channel 4, they certainly one-upped you this time.
John Hermsdorfer
Belleville
