Why does NBC12 dominate local news?

Apparently NBC12 isn’t only on your side, but everyone’s side. WWBT Channel 12 continues to roll over its counterparts, ABC (WRIC8) and CBS (WTVR6.)

It’s become commonplace for the peacock network to rule Richmond. And in recent years, NBC12 has crossed the finish line first in the local TV ratings race time and time again.

Here is an excerpt from Douglas Durden’s RTD article today:

Results are in for the May "book," one of Nielsen's quarterly measurements of local TV stations. As usual, WWBT dominates local newscasts. In addition to the time periods represented in the accompanying chart, where WWBT, WTVR and WRIC all program news, WWBT's newscasts placed first at 4 p.m., as well as 5 and 5:30 p.m., although "Oprah Winfrey" on WRIC is in a strong second place.

At 10 p.m., where WUPV added a newscast in March, it's still no contest. In overall ratings, WRLH's "Fox News at Ten" earned a 6 rating (percentage of all TV households) and a 9 share (the percentage of sets in use) against WUPV's "CW News at 10's" 1 rating and 2 share.”

So why does NBC12 rule the local tube? Is it the snazzy new sets? First-Warning Doppler? Or the fact that viewers like you and me can count on Gene, Sabrina, Jim and Ben night in and night out?

You would think WRIC8 would eventually catch up. Frankly, WTVR6 looks like BlabTV on steroids. The one time “voice of the South” isn’t even the voice of Richmond any longer.

Gene and Sabrina ARE Richmond news.

Juan for the Books

The week that was in NASCAR was just about as crazy as the Nextel Cup drivers making left turns at Sonoma. Columbia's Juan Pablo Montoya became the first driver born outside the United States to win a race in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup series since Canadian Earl Ross triumphed at Martinsville in 1974. Montoya piloted his #42 Texaco Dodge to victory in the Toyota Save Mart 350 on the Infineon road course.

Road course wins are nothing new for Montoya. He won in the Busch Series on the road course in Mexico City earlier this year. Montoya is a former F1 and Indy 500 winner and the first F1 driver in the 59 year history of NASCAR to compete full time on the circuit.

Montoya's win yesterday was huge for NASCAR, which is desperately trying to wash away its image of a Southern sport. Before the season, Montoya's mug was plastered all over NASCAR publications and on the television. Promoting diversity in a sport consisting of 42 white males isn't easy. But Montoya helped NASCAR's new image in a way only he could. He won the race.

Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Singletary Returns to UVA for Senior Season

Yesterday afternoon in Charlottesville, UVA guard Sean Singletary announced he would return for his senior season with the Cavaliers. The All-ACC guard tested the NBA waters, but they were too deep and now Singletary will be the hands-down leader of a promising squad. Will the Hoos return to the NCAA tournament in 08? We will have to find out come March. Without Singletary at the helm, there was virtually no chance of a postseason birth. Singletary's decision is a victory for the NCAA, Virginia, and Coach Dave Leitao.

Good choice Sean.

http://phillipkeiper.blogspot.com/2007/02/dear-sean-singletary.html

Rafting on the James – Two Paddles Up!

I’ve lived in the Richmond area for my entire life, 25 years. But who’s counting? One thing that I’d never done was raft down the James River. That changed yesterday.

It wasn’t my first whitewater rafting trip. I’d been down the Snake River in Wyoming when I was 12ish, but this was the first rafting trip I’d remember.

It was a family outing for Father’s Day. So Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister-in-Law, and Wife were sent down the only river in the WORLD with Class 4 rapids running through a city. We were guided by Lew and Anne Catherine, our very knowledgeable river rats from the recently-formed Riverside Outfitters.

During our afternoon outing, Lew and Anne Catherine flooded us with tons of info on the capital city (even tidbits that life-long RIC’ers like me didn’t know) and how to survive if the raft overturns. (Yikes!)

We started out near the Nickel Bridge and it was slow going at first, but I could see whitewater down yonder.

Hollywood, a Class 4 rapid near Belle Isle (shown above), was our first major encounter of the adventure. It was tamed without incident as onlookers sat on the rocks enjoying a warm Richmond afternoon. (The incident occurs downstream)

After a stop on Lunch Rock for some water, crackers, and granola bars (c'mon we're with nature people), we continued towards the heart of the city. We “surfed” a pipe and ventured over a damn near Browns Island along the way.

I’d have to say the best rapids of the day came at the very end of our journey down the James, near the 14th street takeout. Lots of rafters (most from the Richmond Whitewater Club) and Kayakers gathered to “surf” the monster Class 4 rapid.

If those brave folks could do it, the least we could do was try it, right? And we did! Three times to be exact. Unfortunately, the third was NOT the charm. As whitewater poured into our huge rubber raft, my brother was thrown out, like a Salmon swimming upstream, before he could make it to the “high side” of the raft. (The side I was on.) Once I looked back and noticed he was gone, I started paddling as fast as my weary arms would let me.

We never did “surf” the rapid, but each time we encountered the force of the water it was a thrill nonetheless. My brother was already by the other rafters by the time I noticed he was gone.

If you’re like me and have lived in Richmond forever, but haven’t had a rafting experience, do it! It’s practically in your backyard, and for $60 bucks for a 3 hour trip, well worth the price.

Creed Bratton's Thoughts

Dunder Mifflin's own Creed Bratton has updated his "thoughts." Here's his most recent entry. Very deep I might add.

June 14, 01:43 PM

Creed Thoughts

Winning is everything when it comes to Russian Roulette.
I tore my rotator cuff. I always hated that thing.
Screw parasailing, man. Make the handicapped sail like the rest of us.
I’m really bad at remembering birthdays. I think mine’s in June, but who knows?
I’ll take the moon over the sun any day of the week.
Man, what ever happened to Zaire? That place was crazy!
Reminder: Michael’s safe combo: 23-26-30

To check out other Creed entry's go to: http://blog.nbc.com/CreedThoughts/

Oh No He Didn't!

Yes he did! Justin Verlander finally gave me something to write about. Goochland’s own threw a no-no last night - the first for a Detroit Tiger pitcher since Jack Morris in 1984.

Verlander’s 12-strikeout gem against Milwaukee will be something the 24 year old, and the 33,555 Detroit fans that packed Comerica Park, will remember forever.

While Verlander’s taming of the Brewers in a 4-0 win was the headline, equally impressive was the 101 mph fastball Verlander hurled to J.J Hardy in the bottom of the ninth after 111 pitches and four walks.

Verlander is filthy. The 2006 American League Rookie of the Year now boasts a 7-2 record and an ERA of 2.79. Stats that will likely earn him a spot on Tigers Manger Jim Leyland’s All-Star roster.

Last night on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, Verlander joked that the last time he threw a no-hitter was in a five inning game in middle school. One can only imagine what his fellow Goochlanders were up against back in the day.

Barring any injuries, Verlander has the chance to be a player for the ages. Down the road, baseball enthusiasts and writers might talk about him in the same sentence with likes of Carlton or Clemens.

Last night’s masterpiece was a step in that direction.

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

NASCAR Visionary Bill France Dies

If you love NASCAR, you can thank Bill France. If you hate NASCAR, you can thank Bill France. NASCAR’s pioneer died yesterday at 74 at his home in Daytona Beach, Florida.

During France’s three decade tenure as the head of NASCAR, he transformed the sport from moonshine to millions, dollars that is.

Back in the day, NASCAR was found in two stoplight Southern towns like Darlington and Rockingham. Now, drivers are from as far away as Vancouver, Washington, and tracks are littered all over the country. Add in more than 75 million die-hard race fans, and you have the mastermind of “Little Bill.”

Before France took over from his father “Big Bill” in 1972, most NASCAR sponsors were racing related. Today, that is certainly not the case. Just ask Viagra and Cheerios.

Adding sponsors from all walks of life was just the green flag for France. He also signed a deal with RJ Reynolds and developed the Winston Cup season championship and moved the season-ending awards banquet to New York City.

France ruled with an iron fist. Especially when it came to long-term TV contracts with major networks. He oversaw the first flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500 in 1979 on CBS, an event that would change racing on television forever.

ESPN knows what it’s like to work with France. When he decided to take NASCAR to the major networks, France shut the door on ESPN. In fact, he wouldn’t let ESPN cameras on the track. He forced reports to discuss the race from outside the gates. Now ESPN is back in the good graces of the racing gods and will be televising numerous Nextel Cup races this season.

Bill France is gone, but the sponsors and television contracts remain. His transformation of NASCAR into a national sport will always be remembered.

You’re VCU coach Anthony Grant. Is Florida in Your Future?

Right now only Anthony Grant knows the answer to that question. The VCU basketball coach is tight lipped on whether or not he’ll make a return trip to Gainesville, FL and coach the Gators basketball team.

The former czar at Florida, Billy Donovan, has left the dynasty he’s transformed for lots of dollars (5 years 27.5 million), Dwight Howard, and the Orlando Magic of the NBA.

One of the most coveted jobs in all of college basketball is now open and Grant is high on the list of successors. This is going to be a tough decision for Grant, an assistant coach for 10 years at Florida.

He clearly had an incredible run last year at VCU, finishing 28-7 after a trip to the big dance and a memorable upset win over Duke in the first round. (I can still picture Eric Maynor breaking the ankles of Duke guard Greg Paulus in the closing seconds.)

Grant has some big-time recruits coming in this fall. Many are from Florida. Will they be playing in the Siegel Center come November?

Donovan is making a risky decision with the college to pro leap. It doesn’t always work out. Just ask Rick Pitino and Tim Floyd, among others.

Grant’s decision is less risky, but a BIG one for sure. What do you think he will/should do?