Flying united ...

The pool concept of news and event reportage is spreading.  Secret Squirrel sez:

As of February 1st KSDK no longer has a news helicopter. The camera has been removed from chopper 5. In a cost cutting move KSDK is negotiating with KMOV for a "shared use" of aerial footage, but has yet to sign an agreement. Just another sign of the need to save money.

KSDK and KMOV are also combining for Spring Training coverage. KSDK will send two photographers, one shoots for KMOV, they will share footage, and KMOV is sending their Sat. truck to feed back tape.

St. Louis is not the only market to have these "shared agreements" and I think we will see more of this in the future. Why cover the same newsconference with 4-5 cameras when one can do it and everyone gets the same footage? Is the public worse off with these arrangements?

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