Scott Garceau to give up his daily sportscast
By: Jim Williams
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In an Exclusive with the Examiner Scott Garceau stated “I am glad to continue my relationship with ABC2. This isn’t the final chapter, instead a new beginning. I look forward to remain working on the special events that have made ABC2 Sports’ local coverage second to none. I hope to be able work on a number of projects with ESPN and other opportunities that are now open to me. So this is a good thing and I will have the best of both world’s special projects with ABC2 and some play by play gigs that I have really missed doing.”
IBll Hooper, ABC2/WMAR-TV General Manger and Vice President told said “Scott will be a part of the station and we will be doing many projects together. We have spoken a number of times about what is best for both Scott and the station and in the end we agreed that the best thing for both Scott and WMAR is to work together of sports specials. We want to give Scott the time and the resources to do specials. He simply can’t do that now in a three minute sportscast. In the end I really feel that this is the best thing for both of us.”
After July 3, Garceau will work on special projects for ABC2 including play by play for college lacrosse and The Turkey Bowl, as well as special Ravens, Orioles, and Preakness coverage. The move will allow Garceau to pursue other broadcast opportunities, both regionally and nationally.
His replacement has not yet been named.
What we are seeing is a change in the way news is being done on local TV. Sports are no longer a major part of the local newscast. The news is driven by 18 to 49 women and they want more weather, more features and fewer sports. That is why in a half hour newscast you will see at least three seven day weather forecasts.
This is not just at WMAR but it is the case at WBAL and WJZ as well. The three minute sportscast is the way both stations handle their allotment of sports.
Only FOX 45 Sports Director Bruce Cunningham has more than three minutes. He boasts almost six minutes each night but he is part of a one hour 10pm newscast.
Most sports fans get their news from ESPN, CSN or the internet and they know the information long before the 5, 6, 10 or 11pm newscast rolls around.
So we say good night to Scott Garceau at least as an every night sportscaster. Trust me in about three to five years there will be no local sports on the nightly newscast
