Pros
Hearst - Argyle Television has a large network of television stations in many growing markets across the nation. There are opportunities for advancement within each individual station, or other stations within the group. The company provides a fully staffed Washington bureau, with seasoned reporters and producers. The group is good at sharing content, through the Washington bureau. Benefits are average, comparable to other station groups, like Belo. Corporate offers HAT stock at discounted prices to employees, after 1 full year with Hearst - Argyle. This is a good deal, espcially now, with the prices low. Pay is on the low side of average, but competitive.
Cons
Hearst - Argyle has a very cookie - cutter brand at each station. This seems to limit each individual station to have its own identity. It can also be creatively stifling. In my experience, Hearst - Argyle operates on a shoe string budget, and lacks basic technology that allows reporters to do their jobs efficiently. Reporters are not provided with station cell phones. Reporters were given laptops, but (according to station management) Hearst's security policy does not allow broadband access. Therefore, the laptops are useless in the field, as reporters cannot access ENPS. My station has a live truck that has been out of commission for well over a year, and has not been replaced. It's been referred to as "a giant paper weight." Our ability to go live is severely limited by the inadequate microwave sites. My station's staff is so small; we routinely put a mediocre product on the air, because each employee has to produce more than any one employee should have to produce. Positions are posted, and never filled. The station could not cut any position with-in the news department, because we're already operating on a skeleton crew.