NC Spin spins out, crashes
NC Spin, the weekly talk show about North Carolina politics, is about to turn out the lights and shut down the cameras for good:
[…] The Raleigh News & Observer reports that the founder of “NC Spin” learned in an email that the show will end after its contract is up this year.
The show aired from 1998 to 2017 on WRAL, and then moved to UNC-TV.
Tom Campbell told the newspaper he had heard the program has been the subject of conversations with members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, after the show was critical of the board over its handling of higher education officials.
Kevin Fitzgerald, the interim executive director and general manager of UNC-TV, told the newspaper it was “a programing decision” not to renew the contract. […]
A conspiracy by the UNC board? Seriously? Talking to folks in the know — Team Haymaker got some interesting intel on NC Spin’s final months and days on-the-air. Sources familiar with the WRAL departure told us the reason for the show’s exit from their station was three-fold: (1) NC Spin’s inability to bring in significant ad revenue, (2). the show’s seeming inability to attract ratings, and (3). the reported fatigue and annoyance by influential folks at Capitol Broadcasting at seeing (and hearing) John Hood on the screen.
We’re told that Campbell’s UNC-TV deal hinged on two things: (1) bringing in significant revenue to underwrite the cost of the show, and (2) getting respectable ratings. We’re told that Campbell was able to scoop up some cash via some clients of his private marketing business and his son’s job at NC State. We’re also told that NC Spin was actually doing worse in the ratings than ballet performances, operas, orchestra performances, and sub-titled period pieces from Europe.
We’re told the road has been rocky for some time at UNC-TV, and apparently Tom and the gang found and fell into one hell of a pothole on that road.
WHO CARES? I watched last wk, 1st time in over 10Y. Took me 30 seconds to turn away. Tom gave Mandy Cohen air time to trash NCGA and then Howard Lee used his time to expound on Trump rallies CAUSATION for ALL COVID spikes, of which Tom thought there was ‘some truth’ and then Fitzsimons (the worst of the worst) readily agreed. John Hood NEVER challenged…NEVER….as stated, I turned away in 30 seconds and GLORY BE NC Spin is gone forever……Could never watch any way. Tom was like watching paint dry. Who cared for all the Libs, Dems he paraded on there and what other avenue did Fitzsimons get to trash NCGA, GOP and Conservatives.
Funny that they can’t handle Hood but love the heck out of blinky. It would be hard to find a more milquetoast “conservative” voice in NC. Plus, Capital runs all the rest of the day with blinky and Scowly’s rants to offset any possible rational view that may appear…I guess the evil really cannot even take a bit of light coming in to their den.
Besides being terminally boring, Hood is on the payroll of one of NC’s richest neverTrumpers. If you owe your fortunes to cheap Chinese junk, the tariffs are more important than party loyalty. Also ask Gov. Martin.
Sadly, Republicans put liberals in charge of WUNC-TV so it is unlikely we will ever see any worthwhile conservative talk or public interest shows.
NC Spin is ending but most of the body of this article is from the 2019-UNC Board of Governors Controversy.
The real reason (now in 2020) for NC Spin ending is that the host Tom Campbell is retiring. The last episode will air on Christmas day.
I think another reason why the show is ending is because Tom Campbell wrote an article just before the 2020 election endorsing Biden, although astute and regular viewers of NC Spin will note that Campbell has always been a “closet” Democrat. It’s hard to preach “balanced debate for the Old North State” when you have exposed yourself politically.
Where was that article posted? Missed it but not surprised. Never could watch Tom, Fitzsimons, Rufus, Perdue, Howard Lee & all other NC Lib set.
Tom Campbell is the only person who could act as a moderator? I don’t think so. His shoes would be trivial to fill. The show is ending because it’s drivel.