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I got this email and I have gotten a number of others like it, so instead of answering it privately, I will do it on here.

Mr. Jones,
When it comes to considering switching jobs in TV news, how much emphasis would you put on the station's standing in its respective market?
For instance, if the station was 3rd or 4th in its market, would that automatically cause you to dismiss applying there? I've seen a few openings in larger markets of interest but the stations are in 3rd or 4th place and have been for some time in a couple cases.
Thanks for any insight.
John

First off, John, my dad was Mr. Jones, you can just call me Scott.

Now, onto the question.

I’m not sure the station’s rank in the ratings is really that big of a factor. There are No. 1 ranked stations that are cheap and lazy and just get by on their past reputations.

Of course, many No. 3 and most No. 4 stations are ranked in the basement because they are cheap and don’t want to spend the money or make the effort to move up in the ratings.

So, I guess what I’m saying is each station is different and each market is different.

5 years ago, I would have told you going to a Cox station would be a great move. Now, Cox is run by hedge fund Apollo and their stations are being run on the cheap and I would steer away from those stations.

I wouldn’t want to go to a Tegna station, because they have basically given up on doing real news and are more interested in doing TikTok on TV.

I think it is less about the market rankings in the ratings and more about the company and how they run their stations.

Back in the day, I used to say, I much rather work for a hungry No. 2 or 3 station in the market, than a fat and lazy No. 1.

I’m not sure that helps, but there you go.