Stations Again Getting Airborne As The Economy Slowly Recovers

One of the first casualties in TV newsrooms over the past five years were the helicopters, as stations cut their budgets and laid off personnel while the recession deepened.

But stations never forgot the unique perspective the aircraft brought to their coverage, and there is some evidence that the news chopper may be making a comeback, at least in some markets.

TV News Check reports that Gannett-owned ABC affiliate KXTV in Sacramento has signed a new lease with Helicopters Inc. to resume aerial coverage of Friday night high school football games. And while it won't be using the helo on a daily basis, the station is seeking a media partner that can share the cost of the aircraft. Stations in other markets, like Denver, Miami, and Washington, D.C. currently have such aircraft-sharing arrangements.

Tom Wagner, VP of Helicopters Inc., told TV News Check that this is the first year since the recession began that the number of stations leasing aircraft has increased.

The number of ENG (Electronic News Gathering) aircraft has fallen from a high of about 180 to somewhere between 100 and 120 today, according to multiple vendors. While the sharing agreements are more common, some stations have reportedly leased or purchased helos for their exclusive use.
From your “Eye in the Sky …”

FMI: www.neha.rotor.com