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WGCL bug on KMSP newscast


Thundershock MN

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So, during the Monday (5/27) 5pm newscast on KMSP around 5:45pm the bug for WGCL appeared in the right corner. It wasn't file footage or from a story grabbed off the bird. This was laid over the lower 3rd's and was display for almost 5 minutes. I did record it to the DVR so I could post a screen grab but, the gal deleted it on me before I could get to it yesterday. Anyway you will all have to take my word as I haven't found anything on the net. The really odd thing is it's not even WGCL's current bug. It was their bug from the 04-09 package. Something similar to this but, the website bar also displayed time/temp that was oddly sync'd to the correct local (central) time & current local (MSP) temp:

WGCL.jpg

I'm just surprised that could happen. For example locally I've seen other sations graphics and/or bugs on KARE before on occasion. But, they were always other Gannett stations graphics. So, that could easily be explained by someone making a mistake or being careless at the master control hub (or graphics hub). But, i've never seen this before. It's not even the same station group. So, i'm curious how this could happen. Something loaded into Ignite/Overdrive (or whatever automated system) by mistake? If so, how did/could it get there? Does FTSG and Meredith have some type of hub sharing (graphics or MC) I'm unaware of? Curious how this could happen. If anybody can shed some light I'd like to here it.

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The Fox-owned, affiliated and operated KMSP-TV aired a bug from WGCL, a Meredith-owned station,'s former graphics package?

 

At least it's now official: no matter where you are in the US, you're never safe from the clutches of WGCL; every station is WGCL! That's right, all those "respected" anchors, weathermen, and sportscasters....they aren't staff at WPVI or KTLA or KYW or WPLG or WSB or any other station; behind the backs of everybody, including the FCC, they all work at WGCL-TV Atlanta and are paid by Meredith. Yes, Sinclair is Meredith. Nexstar is Meredith. News Corp 21st Century Fox is Meredith. Only now are they beginning to make that fact known to the world.

 

On second thought, it was all just a harmless mistake by KMSP control room staff, that's it. :D

 

 

 

 

 

Or was it?

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My explanations:

 

- It's possible that the WGCL bug is a demo on whatever CG generates the bug. I've heard of Viz systems coming loaded with demo files from other stations. I know a virtual set from WTKR was discovered on a Viz system in town...

- Someone from WGCL's graphics dept. now works at KMSP and at some point loaded the WGCL bug into the CG.

- The CG was bought used from WGCL.

 

Or

 

iDR6nSy.jpg

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I think I can take a shot at explaining this. I THINK.

 

Recently, Fox centralized its master control at one location. For whatever reason, they chose Las Vegas. Fox doesn't have a station there... but Meredith owns the Fox affiliate, KVVU. I've heard some rumblings that the FTS Master Control Hub is in fact located at the KVVU facilities, but don't quote me on that.

 

Moreover, I know that the Fox O&O bugs are generated at the master control level, and aren't part of the graphics output.

 

Essentially what happened was that the WGCL bug assets were stored in the system, and somehow master control cued them up. It's rare, but it happens - I have clips up showing WPSG accidentally crunching the credits of Dr. Phil with a five-year-old graphic plugging Moesha. Old UPN 57 logo and all. (They were still UPN 57, but they were using the newer upn logo.) The time and temp thing would have been a programming script, which would explain why the time/temp was correct.

 

As to why... I have no clue. If KVVU is involved in any form, then it's obvious. But their master control is in Phoenix. So I dunno how to explain it.

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I want to see a video of this really badly now for some reason lol

If I ever come across the video I'll post it. To bad it got deleted off my DVR otherwise it would already be posted.

 

I think I can take a shot at explaining this. I THINK.

 

Recently, Fox centralized its master control at one location. For whatever reason, they chose Las Vegas. Fox doesn't have a station there... but Meredith owns the Fox affiliate, KVVU. I've heard some rumblings that the FTS Master Control Hub is in fact located at the KVVU facilities, but don't quote me on that.

 

Moreover, I know that the Fox O&O bugs are generated at the master control level, and aren't part of the graphics output.

 

Essentially what happened was that the WGCL bug assets were stored in the system, and somehow master control cued them up. It's rare, but it happens - I have clips up showing WPSG accidentally crunching the credits of Dr. Phil with a five-year-old graphic plugging Moesha. Old UPN 57 logo and all. (They were still UPN 57, but they were using the newer upn logo.) The time and temp thing would have been a programming script, which would explain why the time/temp was correct.

 

As to why... I have no clue. If KVVU is involved in any form, then it's obvious. But their master control is in Phoenix. So I dunno how to explain it.

Duh! I feel a little dumb now.

 

You are correct that all bugs for FOX O&O are generated out of their master control. I've also heard that FTSG's master control is within KVVU's facility. Like you I've never heard definitely if that is the case or not. But, maybe this incident will solidify that belief. Never heard why they picked Las Vegas. WAG, it might be weather related. Less chance of a severe weather incident knocking out the facility versus other locales. And, I'm not sure if they are fed by fiber or uplink but, the clear skys would help with uplink. IDK.

 

Anyway, that is the link I was looking for. I think you and Weeters are on the right track. I figured this would've had to come out of the hub (graphics/MC) and not something local due to the amount of time it took to get corrected. So, logic would lend you to believe some old Meredith equipment at KVVU was maybe repurposed for FTSG master control operations when they set up shop there. Or, somehow the graphics got loaded on FTSG's equipment by mistake. Either way, even though they are separate the fact that KMSP's MC is within the confines of the KVVU (a Meredith owned station) facility would explain the Meredith FTSG link.

 

For some dumb reason I was thinking KVVU was owned by Sinclair. I don't know why...maybe that purchase agreement between FTSG/Sinclair that included a couple Las Vegas stations (KVCW/KVMY) scrambled my brain. Thank you all for your help.

 

Oh, and isn't automation great folks. :rolleyes:

 

EDIT: I've learned that Fox's MC ops are not at KVVU. They are co-located within the data center in Las Vegas that Fox uses. It sounds like it was a demo on the CG as Weeters stated.

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So, wait.... Master control for the Fox O&Os is at a non-O&O Fox affiliate, while that station's master control is at its sister station in another city?

 

gvDdF.gif

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