We'll be again more sporadic in our updates for the next few days, though we will still post any "breaking news" about local media that crosses The OMW News Desk...so, keep checking!But here's our closeout for the week:"LOVE" IN THE EVENING: Clear Channel rocker WMMS/100.7 has added one more talk show to its roster.It's Westwood One syndicated relationship advice show "Loveline", which 'MMS is adding to the schedule Sunday-Thursday from 10 PM to midnight.The spicy show is a staple of the … [Read more...]
Followups And Other Stuff
Posted on August 7, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 9:01 AM 8/7/08: OMW has confirmed that WJW "FOX 8 News" Columbus bureau reporter John Damschroder is a victim of the station's recent round of layoffs, as the station is closing the bureau entirely at the end of the month.We hear out of South Marginal that the bureau's existing photographer will head back to home base in Cleveland.With the WJW bureau closing, will anyone come in and take over a ready-made TV news bureau in the State Capital?We don't know if there's any interest out of … [Read more...]
Two Columbus Sales
Posted on August 6, 2008 · Leave a Comment
There's new word on two Columbus broadcasting sales, one just announced, the other approved by regulators.APPROVED: The TVNewsday trade website reports that the FCC has given its blessing to the previously announced sale of Columbus market station WSFJ/51 Newark by Guardian Enterprise Group to religious superbroadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network.WSFJ has been the Columbus market affiliate of the ION Network, though it's gone off on its own direction in the past year or so.Guardian is leaving … [Read more...]
Some Quick Hits
Posted on August 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment
In the "we don't know much, haven't confirmed many details, but here's what we know" file...FOX 8 LAYOFFS?: We're still working this one, but here are the sketchy details so far.OMW hears that the Local TV LLC era at "Cleveland's Own" WJW/8 "FOX 8" is starting off with a bumpy ride for employees, with a number of layoffs of support and off-air staffers last Friday.We say "a number" because we haven't confirmed the actual number. Last time we went down this path a few weeks ago, we had been … [Read more...]
WAKS Tabbed For Clear Channel Trust, Sale
Posted on August 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We know it's been kicked around before, but the newly privatized Clear Channel is now officially listing one of the company's big FM signals in Cleveland to be sold due to regulatory concerns.As expected, top 40 WAKS/96.5 Akron "Kiss FM" is on the list being moved into the Aloha Station Trust, where it and over 50 other stations nationwide will be set up for sale or trade.WAKS was listed many months back by trade magazines as being a likely target for sale, figuring out that the privatization of … [Read more...]
We’re Back
Posted on August 4, 2008 · Leave a Comment
And this time, it wasn't just our hectic behind-the-scenes life that kept us away.Every so often, the Blogger computers automatically scan the service's blogs to make sure that automatically-posted unsolicited marketing blogs (think "canned luncheon meat by Hormel") aren't clogging up the system.Late Friday, we were told that we were "flagged" by this process, which was clearly an error. (A human-posted news-oriented blog that's been around for over three years?) That "flag" - while keeping … [Read more...]
The New And The Former
Posted on July 31, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Today's items both involve a news director post at a Cleveland market TV station...one, with an incoming person to take the role, and the other, about a former local news director...SHE CATCHES 5: New WEWS/5 VP/general manager Victoria Regan has tapped a new news director for the station.She is Jill Manuel, who joins the Scripps Cleveland ABC affiliate from the news director's post at Tribune-owned CLTV in Chicago, that city's 24-hour cable news outlet. The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rosenthal and … [Read more...]
Metheny Out At CC/Cleveland
Posted on July 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Our inbox has been peppered with anonymous tips all day out of the Clear Channel World Domination HQ at Oak Tree, and now it's been confirmed by the various radio trade sites.Long-time VP/Programming Kevin Metheny has left the building at Clear Channel Cleveland after a 10 year run in the post, and a 13 year run with the local cluster.OMW hears that the exit comes at the end of Metheny's most recent contract as the company's head Cleveland programmer... … [Read more...]
Lots Of TV Stuff
Posted on July 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We're mostly catching up with stuff this time, but felt it needed to be put up, at least...GAUTHIER EXITS FOR HOME: We'd heard rumblings that this was about to happen, but WKYC/3 senior director and fellow blogger Frank Macek provides the confirmation and details on his "Director's Cut" blog."Channel 3 News Today" co-anchor and "Channel 3 News Midday" anchor Barbara Gauthier is leaving the Gannett Cleveland NBC affiliate for Columbus.No, she's not going to Columbus, Ohio.She's heading for the … [Read more...]
A Follow-Up Or Three
Posted on July 29, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Followups, clarification and other stuff...THE SAVAGE FALLOUT: When we passed along word that Salem Cleveland talk outlet WHK/1420 was dumping Talk Radio Network host Michael Savage over recent remarks about autism, we didn't know what the station would do in the 9-11 PM time slot until August 4th, when it announced it would start a new lineup.Friday, WHK aired Savage's show as normal, and the station did so again on Monday night.WHK/Salem Cleveland general manager Mark Jaycox announced last … [Read more...]
