So, perusing the AllAccess scroll this afternoon, we see this:BONNEVILLE INTERNATIONAL launched its highly anticipated station in LOS ANGELES -- as 100.3 THE SOUND --with U2's "BEAUTIFUL DAY." The new AAA format went on the air at 10a (PT).Hmm. Boy, does that name SOUND familiar!Yes, that's Bonneville's rocker in Cincinnati, WSWD/94.9. We don't keep very good track of Queen City radio, but we believe Bonneville inherited both station and format there from Entercom.And of course, 94.9 has done … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Gib Shanley Dies
Posted on April 6, 2008 · Leave a Comment
One of the true legends in Cleveland sports media has passed away.Gib Shanley, who was the long-time sports director at Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5, has died at the age of 76."NewsChannel 5" reports that Shanley died of "complications from pneumonia". The Plain Dealer's now-former veteran sportswriter, Bob Dolgan, has a very extensive look at Gib Shanley's life and career here.In addition to his work on Channel 5, and his role as the first sports anchor on WUAB/43's then-new 10 PM news program … [Read more...]
A Clump Of Toledo News
Posted on April 4, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Here at your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm), we don't know what it is...but media news from Toledo seems to always come in clumps. It's almost never just "one" item.Here we are again, with word of one change that's already been made, and one move that may or may not affect the market.We'll start with the second, with the announcement on Dave Hughes' DCRTV.com, "confirmed" by the Baltimore Sun newspaper, that veteran Baltimore market radio voice Brian Wilson would be returning to the airwaves of that … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: KNR2 Files For More Juice
Posted on April 4, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We spent many days back when Good Karma Broadcasting bought the Cleveland station now known as WWGK/1540 saying this: this 1,000 watt East Side daytimer couldn't be owner Craig Karmazin's only plan in the market.And while things became clearer when Karmazin bought 50,000 watt WKNR/850, there's now a signal upgrade plan for the small station which has become known as "Cleveland's AM 1540, KNR2".Good Karma has filed with the FCC for facilities changes for "KNR2"...calling for a daytime signal … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Columbus’ “Blitz” Stunting
Posted on April 3, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We know nothing about it, yet, but our Columbus readers tell us that North American rock WBZX/99.7 "The Blitz" is stunting this afternoon.We're told by numerous listeners/OMW readers in the market that they're interspersing computer "beeps" with a message that "your radio station is rebooting", promising "completion" by Friday at 5 PM.A similar message shows up - after a couple of seconds or so - when visiting the station's website... … [Read more...]
Up For Air For A Bit
Posted on April 3, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We've still got the "Gone Fishin'" sign up - and that's a stretch, since your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) hasn't ever actually picked up a fishing pole.A lot has happened, and we're just here to mention some stuff we haven't put up due to our continued absence.For one, we mourn the passing of more broadcasters with Ohio ties who have recently passed away, like Wes Hopkins (WAKR/1590 Akron, then-KYW/1100 Cleveland) and former WHK/1420 Cleveland personality Scott Burton.Other brief items, in no … [Read more...]
Another Passing
Posted on March 25, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We hate putting up two pieces of very bad news in a row, but...OMW hears that long-time former WTVN/610 Columbus production director Scott Kahler has died.His name has appeared once here before. Kahler was let go from Clear Channel Columbus in late 2006 in a round of budget cuts. In addition to his tenure in that building, we're told Kahler also spent time at WBNS and WLVQ.An obituary for Kahler can be found here, with information on memorial services this weekend.We're told his voice is … [Read more...]
RIP Your LEEEEEADER
Posted on March 24, 2008 · Leave a Comment
When you think of the phrase "larger than life radio personality", one Jack Armstrong is the first name that comes to mind for many who have heard him.A number of radio trade sites report today that Armstrong died over the weekend in his North Carolina home.In Cleveland, the man born John C. Larsh took the air name Jackson Armstrong, and "Your LEEEEEEADER" blazed his trail on the old WIXY/1260 and then-WKYC/1100 (now Radio Disney's WWMK and Clear Channel talk WTAM, respectively).He gained fame, … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: WHBC’s Russell Out In Budget Cuts
Posted on March 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Even in better economic times, even when radio groups aren't firing people left and right for "budget reasons", it's often said that taking a vacation in radio is dangerous.NextMedia talk WHBC/1480 Canton talk show host Brady Russell found that out.OMW hears from numerous sources that NextMedia pulled the plug on Russell's employment Thursday...while he was on vacation from his afternoon drive show on "NewsTalk 1480". He was scheduled to return to the airwaves on Monday the 24th - which won't … [Read more...]
Random Leftovers
Posted on March 18, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 8:21 PM 3/18/08: A name fix and another update below:-----------------In media news not involving canines in front of microphones, some stuff we need to revisit and update:REVAMPING TWC: As it turns out, the vast empire that is the Time Warner Cable firmament in Northeast Ohio isn't all "fixed" in a day.The highly-touted and advertised digital channel realignment at the local cable operator is being done area-by-area over the rest of this month, at least. OMW hears that folks in places … [Read more...]
