Thanks to those of you who read my last entry, and especially those who took the time to write me your thoughts on any or all of the broad topics that I brought up. You're welcome to read it now and drop me an e-mail if you like. Since it's still available for you to read, I'll move on to some of the feedback I received.

  "If (WGR's mission is) ... driven by ratings, then perhaps the focus should shift from an examination of the coverage by the media to an examination of the fan himself.  What makes a person tune in for the 251st segment on Edwards/Losman or the Bills in Toronto but head over to FM once the discussion turns to the NBA finals or the French Open?" -- John

The Bills' quarterback situation or future in Buffalo are fluid, interesting subjects, and it seems to me that as long as fans care about the team, they'll want to listen to discussion about the biggest issues that face it.

On weekdays, WGR allots 10 hours to local programming, which focuses on the local teams, and 14 to national programming, which, in the beginning of June, focuses on baseball and the NBA. On weekends, the ratio is even more skewed toward national sports.

  "National media ... isn't overly negative, but the media as a whole has become too big. They harp on stories that they feel will get people's attention (these usually being negative). That is just society today, what gets attention, what gets heads turned?  Car accidents, fires, bombings, fights in sports. ... I don't think it is a media-driven problem, I think they are just catering to the public to recieve ratings, it is just the way of the world." -- Ron

I don't think it's about negative, Ron. I think it's about interesting. Different is interesting. That's what makes us think.
 
  "I honestly don't feel there is a place for hosts to be discussing their personal life and such. I realize it's a way to connect with callers but in the end the vast majority of people don't care what games you play, where you went on vacation, what issues your (sic) having. I think there is too much Hockey talk and attempts to force feed it to listeners because of the stations affiliation with the Sabres. National stats suggest Hockey is no more popular than XC fighting, it's almost a fringe sport." -- No name given

If you were right we would all be fired. It behooves the show for the listeners to know as much about the hosts as possible. It makes the relationship more intimate and offers people more reasons to tune in. Whether hockey is more or less popular than certain other sports nationally is irrelevant. Ours is a local show.

  "The major sports teams of this area help define the area and I view the media coverage on the sports teams as the 'mouth'. Out of all the media outlets available to me I see your station as being the most objective and 'true' as to what is happening. Is WGR too negative toward the Bills? Yes you are but has there really been anything over the last few years to be positive about?" -- Nick

Show me a good Bills team, and I'll show you positive. Been in Buffalo for nine years, been saying it for nine years.