Alissa Harrington

There’s a lot I can say about being a local sportscaster, but being a local anything is tougher than ever. Stuff I see and hear in the industry: - Producers editing - Photographers getting cut - Reporters stretched thin (some doing 2 a day in smaller markets) - Floor directors non-existent - GFX departments non-existent - Directors relegated to punching buttons - Sports people produce, write, edit, shoot, contribute to web, anchor, podcast, tell stories… Essentially, it’s doing more with less. Some markets can live like the ‘good ol days,’ but the stations who have that kind of reputation, money and resources are dwindling. 10 years ago, the thought of landing in a Top-50 market out of college was absurd. Now, it’s a regular occurrence. People are jumping from Single-A ball to the big leagues quickly, which puts immense pressure on individuals. Some thrive — others are given unrealistic expectations. The industry has been purged of tremendous talent because there’s simply not enough money, or incentive, to keep them. Overall, local TV is often put in a ‘survive and advance’ position and, IMO, the industry has been far too stagnant with its product. It’s troubling to say the least. – at St Petersburg, FL