Support OpenDurham.org
Preserve Durham's History with a Donation to Open Durham Today!
OpenDurham.org is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of our community. Run by our parent nonprofit, Preservation Durham, the site requires routine maintence and upgrades. We do not ask for support often, but today, we're asking you to chip in to help us reach our goal of raising $7,500 for annual maintenance by the end of the year. Your support allows us to maintain this valuable resource, expand our archives, and keep the history of Durham accessible to everyone.
Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Help us keep Durham's history alive for future generations.
Comments
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 8/29/2007 - 2:57am
Is WTVR an already taken set of identification letters from the FCC? If not, perhaps WTVD can change its letters, and then promote themselves as W TeleVision Raleigh. They already use a backdrop of the downtown Raleigh skyline in their promos.
AMS
PS Adaptive reuse potential for the studio? How about a lockdown facility for troubled youth??? The infrastructure is already in place.
Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Wed, 8/29/2007 - 3:29am
Looks like they'd have to fight Richmond for it; perhaps negotiations are ongoing.
On the PS - ouch, but so true.
GK
Submitted by a. librarian (not verified) on Wed, 8/29/2007 - 1:57pm
WTVD didn't always have the fence. You can see part of their open compound in a picture here from 1979/80 (scroll down a bit): http://dclstrategicplan.pbwiki.com/Main+Library+-+Past,+Present,+Future I think the fence was a reaction to the perceived danger of Durham and/or the neighborhood.
And yes, it's sad that the "Watch T.V. Durham" station now ignores their home city. Even stuff in their own backyard (literally!)
Submitted by Michael Bacon (not verified) on Wed, 8/29/2007 - 2:35pm
To be fair, there was probably an eight year period in the late 80s and early 90s during the height of the crack epidemic that a fence was probably a necessary step. Of course, the fact that that was over a decade ago doesn't seem to affect perceptions much.
Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Wed, 8/29/2007 - 2:51pm
Oh, I am sure that WTVD could point to incidents that occurred, their expensive equipment, etc. as reasons why they need to secure their property.
But I'm not sure that WTVD has even thought about the fact that people have to look at the 450 foot long fence every day, and what effect that has on the neighborhood around them. I'm not going to pretend that there isn't a tension in this neighborhood between putting oneself out there - financially or personally - and security/safety. I simply don't see any effort on the part of WTVD to make this neighborhood - their neighborhood - a better place. Some corporate entities recognize the larger and selfish benefit of investing time, effort, and, yes, cash, in their immediate environment. WTVD has simply opted to batten down the hatches. That this seems to align with their media positioning completes the package.
GK
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 3/8/2011 - 2:11pm
And I thought I was the only one who recognized the "Raleigh envy" in WTVD. But I stopped watching them a long time ago.
Add new comment
Log in or register to post comments.