Mid-Michigan Now

[Realist]

Not much of a difference from previous from what I can tell. Except for the opening. I like that.

Thinking it’s a Sinclair mandated thing given the “UpNorth Live” at their 7&4 stations in Traverse City.

[lovinlife101]

Isn’t the point of promotion and advertising to differentiate from your competition?

Saying your product or service is available on various screens is overstating the obvious.

[Herm]

Not much of a difference from previous from what I can tell. Except for the opening. I like that.

Thinking it’s a Sinclair mandated thing given the “UpNorth Live” at their 7&4 stations in Traverse City.

I think “UpNorth Live” was started while they were still owned by Barrington.

[lovinlife101]

The Mid-Michigan Now promos are pedestrian. (Adjective, not noun, look it up.)

“We give you the who, what, when, where, why and how. On your screen. On your schedule. No appointment necessary.”

This is like Coca-Cola saying, “We give you hydration and high fructose corn syrup. Drink it on your schedule at any location.”

I guess this passes for “branding” nowadays. “Look at us! We do the news just like we always have. Nothing new. Nothing different from our competitors. We are promoting water being wet. We don’t promote talent anymore because the ones you’ve heard of quit or are ‘semi-retired.’”

[organman95]

Not much of a difference from previous from what I can tell. Except for the opening. I like that.

Thinking it’s a Sinclair mandated thing given the “UpNorth Live” at their 7&4 stations in Traverse City.

I think “UpNorth Live” was started while they were still owned by Barrington.

I don't think so. If memory serves, it was right after Sinclair bought the stations.

[lovinlife101]

You may be right, orgasmman. However, “ConnectMidMichigan” was used at one time from Hotrod Harris’ semi-retired station.

[organman95]

Well, I made an error... UpNorthLive DID come about with Barrington. I was referring to the 6:30 29&8 UpNorthLive News, which was after Sinclair bought the stations. I *think* it was called "UpNorthLive News on 29&8" or something like that.

[lovinlife101]

Well, I made an error... UpNorthLive DID come about with Barrington. I was referring to the 6:30 29&8 UpNorthLive News, which was after Sinclair bought the stations. I *think* it was called "UpNorthLive News on 29&8" or something like that.

“Mid-Michigan Now” is an attempt to build a brand if and when broadcast television news becomes unprofitable and goes away. Then, online only would be the format.

That, and when half-empty Christmas concerts that used to be free are charging $15 a person.

[Herm]

Well, I made an error... UpNorthLive DID come about with Barrington. I was referring to the 6:30 29&8 UpNorthLive News, which was after Sinclair bought the stations. I *think* it was called "UpNorthLive News on 29&8" or something like that.

It happens.
I believe they started Up North Live around the same time that NBC25 switched to ConnectMidMichigan which, BTW, is one of the worst web addresses EVER.
What’s funny is, according to my Facebook page, I worked for Mid-Michigan Now for about 9 years. Funny... I thought it was Newscenter 25.

[organman95]

It happens.
I believe they started Up North Live around the same time that NBC25 switched to ConnectMidMichigan which, BTW, is one of the worst web addresses EVER.
What’s funny is, according to my Facebook page, I worked for Mid-Michigan Now for about 9 years. Funny... I thought it was Newscenter 25.

Was it Newscenter 25 up to that point?

[sinklair]

Other than a lame name and logo change —and some staff departures — it’s the same crappy product Sinclair has always produced. That’s why these stations will remain in last place until Sinclair replaces the joke of its Flint GM and his lackey department heads... including the do-nothing News Director and the “Ass”istant GM aka Promotions Director.

[lovinlife101]

Other than a lame name and logo change —and some staff departures — it’s the same crappy product Sinclair has always produced. That’s why these stations will remain in last place until Sinclair replaces the joke of its Flint GM and his lackey department heads... including the do-nothing News Director and the “Ass”istant GM aka Promotions Director.

They’re promoting it with “Two stations, one news team.” Is that supposed to make it look like two well-staffed news teams coming together? We know that’s not the case. Is it supposed to mean “The smallest news staff for one station, why name make it two stations?” That’s the case. Just 16 combined anchors and reporters. 15 and a half actually with the semi-retired one. That’s the lowest number among all the stations.

[sinklair]

The GM and Sinclair corporate only cares about reducing expenses and maximizing profits. They won’t pay employees more than a 1.5% performance increase. Instead, the GM will spend money on his pet projects and lame “employee morale” activities (derided internally as f-off Friday’s) like grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream. Easter egg hunts, etc) Oh, but the GM definitely gets his year end bonus! Screw the little guy struggling to make ends meet.

[lovinlife101]

The GM and Sinclair corporate only cares about reducing expenses and maximizing profits. They won’t pay employees more than a 1.5% performance increase. Instead, the GM will spend money on his pet projects and lame “employee morale” activities (derided internally as f-off Friday’s) like grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream. Easter egg hunts, etc) Oh, but the GM definitely gets his year end bonus! Screw the little guy struggling to make ends meet.

I’ve been saying this for quite some time, but only in the last few months has anyone began saying it too.

People were actually defending the cheese sandwiches, food trucks, and wages. Seems like reality has settled in.

[sinklair]

People internally have been complaining about the horrible wages for some time now. Morale is bad at 25-66. That’s why Jennifer Profit, Drew Moore, Veronica Meadows, Joel Feick, Jamie Kagol, Femi Redwood and others either left or were released to cut salaries even further. Ratings are flat. So for the GM to make his bonus, he’s cutting expenses in the news department. There used to be a time when the station thought it could compete with 12 and 5 from a quality standpoint. Now we just laugh behind the GM, HR and News Director’s backs when they hold mandated staff morale improvement meetings. Pass the grilled cheese sandwich and a collection bucket.