Dave, your column brings back a lot of good memories. I was always in charge of election coverage at the TV stations where I worked. Our preparations were almost exactly as you describe. I go back far enough that I remember using calculators, two way radios, and typewriters to cover elections. How exciting it was when we got computers and an interface with the Chyron so we no longer had to manually type in the numbers for air.
Cliff, the station has some old photos of the 1960s with these huge boards, and numbers on wheels, and somebody behind the board spinning the numbers to show election results. (Kinda like the scoreboard at Wrigley!) The technology has definitely improved!
As a former TV anchor, I remember election night as the best of times -- and the worst of times. Several times, my station's "election software" failed to give us timely results 😳 But when the night went well, it was exhilarating. It's very meaningful to have that kind of role in the future of our political representation.
Amy, I would have nightmares about the election software crashing. We might have had a few hiccups but never a total meltdown. As an anchor, I'm sure you felt helpless!
Wow, thanks for sharing this behind the scenes look. From home, this usually appears well planned, calm and collected. Now I know that the well planned part is accurate!
Jim, it all happens so fast that a minor glitch can soon turn into a total train wreck. Problems snowball quickly. I'll be watching Tuesday night from home, but biting my nails!
Dave, great column! I could feel the excitement building as you took us through the chronology. You gave readers an appreciation for the effort behind what they’ll see next Tuesday. Thanks!
Dave, your column brings back a lot of good memories. I was always in charge of election coverage at the TV stations where I worked. Our preparations were almost exactly as you describe. I go back far enough that I remember using calculators, two way radios, and typewriters to cover elections. How exciting it was when we got computers and an interface with the Chyron so we no longer had to manually type in the numbers for air.
Cliff, the station has some old photos of the 1960s with these huge boards, and numbers on wheels, and somebody behind the board spinning the numbers to show election results. (Kinda like the scoreboard at Wrigley!) The technology has definitely improved!
Dave, I found my adrenaline surging as I read your story. Thanks for this glimpse of how election night coverage occurs in a tv newsroom.
Mary, the hard part was crashing AFTER the adrenaline rush. With elections on Tuesdays, it always made for a long week!
As a former TV anchor, I remember election night as the best of times -- and the worst of times. Several times, my station's "election software" failed to give us timely results 😳 But when the night went well, it was exhilarating. It's very meaningful to have that kind of role in the future of our political representation.
Amy, I would have nightmares about the election software crashing. We might have had a few hiccups but never a total meltdown. As an anchor, I'm sure you felt helpless!
Wow, thanks for sharing this behind the scenes look. From home, this usually appears well planned, calm and collected. Now I know that the well planned part is accurate!
Jim, it all happens so fast that a minor glitch can soon turn into a total train wreck. Problems snowball quickly. I'll be watching Tuesday night from home, but biting my nails!
Dave, great column! I could feel the excitement building as you took us through the chronology. You gave readers an appreciation for the effort behind what they’ll see next Tuesday. Thanks!