Gray Television Reviews

Pros

The company does a better than average job of running the 36 television stations it owns in 30 small to mid sized U.S. local markets. In an industry beset by change - both technological (e.g. the migration to HD) and economic (e.g. the global economic meltdown of 2008/2009) - Gray has coped better than most. I found local management to be dedicated, hardworking and, in a few cases, exceptional. Local staff was mostly young, eager, friendly, too. There was a sense of team spirit and there was little or no back stabbing.

Cons

Larger technological and economic forces afoot in the land make employment at ANY television station an iffy proposition in this day and age. Gray is implementing Ross OverDrive across its entire station group. Inevitably, this automation technology will mean cutbacks in operations staff - particularly in News. Such staff cuts - especially if they are deep - may well bring visits to affected local stations from the suits at HQ. And with at least some of the HQ suits will come problems in the areas of attitude, behavior and respect toward local employees that will only make a bad situation worse.

Advice to Senior Management

Some HQ suits need to get over themselves and realize that the real world at the local station level is where the money is made that makes their compensation packages possible. And they need to understand that the local folk who inhabit these outposts do not necessarily perceive emissaries from Corporate with the same delusions of grandeur as can tend to afflict such visitors from afar.

Pros

Room to gain experience for larger markets
A foot in the door for local television
Some benefits (health, dental)
Possible overtime

Cons

VERY low compensation - think fast food wages
Tons of responsibility
Repetitive tasks
Middle-management for the MCOs was overbearing and exhibited rampant favoritism
Little opportunity for advancement within the same market

Despite all of this, many of my co-workers really wanted to be there. All of these people had four-year degrees in film and/or television and were chomping at the bit to work for $8.65/hr. I guess everyone had grandiose plans to transfer to larger markets and eventually work for Turner or Fox, but it was certainly a soul-killing environment and not for me.

Advice to Senior Management

If you want to recruit people who are interested in doing their jobs well and share in the mission of the company, you need to pay more.

Pros

When one actually does a good job, your peers and co-workers acknowledge it and are appreciative of the work being done.

Cons

Good work is ignored from supervisors and above, internal promotion is nearly impossible, long term growth does not exist as mid level employees are stagnant with no interest in self growth nor helping lower level employees to grow in other arenas.

Advice to Senior Management

Actually listen to the annual reviews from the people at the bottom more than the people in the middle. Honesty was given from "entry level" workers who have been at the location for 2+ years.

Pros

if you really have no other options for a job in television news, then it is a good place to work.

Cons

very outdated equipment, terrible managment, terrible salaries

Advice to Senior Management

managment needs to research the changes and advances in technology in broadcasting within the last ten years. technology, equipment and even terminology is extremely outdated.

Pros

The television industry by nature is a fun industry to work in. It's a fast-paced environment and you learn a lot in a small amount of time. Your co-workers know what they're doing and it's a great team environment. Gray has high standards for their stations, and that definitely helps you in the long run, especially if you don't plan on working there the rest of your life. It's a good place to learn the ropes.

Cons

You get paid horrendously for the work you do and the hours you put in. I worked on the morning broadcast for a while, which meant getting in by 4 a.m. every day. For that I got paid under seven an hour. You better have another job, savings or generous parents before you take a job with Gray. Many of my co-workers, as well as myself, had a second job to make ends meet.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay your employees more.

Pros

The senior management is by far the best I've ever worked with, they actually care about their employees. From the president on down, all are very approachable. Benefits aren't bad, full medical and dental, a 401(k) plan and an employee stock purchase program. Unlike a lot of companies, this is one you can see yourself retiring with, no matter where you are in your career.

Cons

Money, or lack of it, always seems to be an issue in the company, at all divisions. Projects tend to be shot down under the premise "there just isn't enough money to do this," or "the ROI isn't high enough for us." Same applies for hiring additional staff. It's not uncommon that an employee is doing the work of two or more. This is really a company where you need to be resourceful.

Advice to Senior Management

Trust your employees, if we feel that you have our backs, we'll have yours.