At Newcastle the local BBC usually turn up (either Jeff Brown or, as last season, Dawn Thewlis) and I think TyneTees also were there last season Unless a big local sports story breaks and that happens GRTMedia supply their, as usual, excellent footage.
A few years back, Newcastle tried a 'donation only' type meeting (if I remember crrectly there was a minimum donation of a £1 or so, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), with wheelie competitions, races, gating etc., and, by all accounts, the place was packed. The following week, when full admission applied, the crowd was back to near normal.