WWLtv.com’s live audience growing fast

Cory Bergman August 31st, 2008

As Hurricane Gustav evacuees reach safety outside New Orleans, WWLtv.com’s live streaming coverage is growing its audience fast. Site manager Tom Planchet says he expects to have served 100,000 streams by the day’s end. “I expect that probably to double Monday and possibly again Tuesday,” he says. WWL’s air signal is being picked up by Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations throughout the state and on digital channels in Houston and Dallas. “This is kind of the lull time. Almost everyone who is going to get out has gone and there are no storm effects expected for 10-12 hours,” he says. “We have crews in all of the areas that could be affected and a fall back plan in case the station is compromised,” which he says is not expected at this time given the storm’s current track and strength. (4:30 p.m. ET)

Also: Says WWL-TV GM Bud Brown: “Nobody has to stay here if they don’t want to,” he says. “We have water, food and security, so as long as we’re providing that kind of environment, people are pretty comfortable.”