As reported earlier here on OMW, Kent-based public TV stations WNEO/45 Alliance-WEAO/49 Akron are about to take on a new identity.Starting Wednesday, the stations now known as "PBS 45 & 49" on the air will become "Western Reserve PBS"...under the umbrella name of "Western Reserve Public Media".Both are just branding changes for 45/49 - the call letters will remain the same for both stations, and the stations' owner continues to be known legally as Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio, … [Read more...]
Your Digital TV Q&As
Posted on September 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Late last week, we put out the call for your questions about the digital TV transition.Here's our first batch of those questions:Q: Perhaps a list of stations and their actual operating frequencies would be helpful to all.A: We'll start here, because that information is pretty basic and should be up front. The following covers all full power local TV stations in the Northeast Ohio area. For those of you in the other parts of the state, that list would be way too long...a quick stop by the … [Read more...]
WLEC Dumps Veteran Personality
Posted on September 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Long-time Sandusky radio personality Mark Fogg won't be heard doing his morning drive local show on BAS Broadcasting standards/oldies WLEC/1450 anymore.The Sandusky Register reports that Fogg says his job was eliminated by BAS in a cost-cutting move. We'll assume that BAS news director Steve Shoffner will continue, but with his newscasts fed into the ABC/Citadel "Timeless Classics" feed instead.Fogg has been program director and sports director for the station BAS bought from Clear Channel, … [Read more...]
Chris “The Mighty” Quinn Dies
Posted on September 28, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 12:30 AM 9/30/08: OMW hears that there will be calling hours for Chris Quinn later this week - Thursday, October 2nd from 5-7 PM, at Burr Funeral Home, at 116 South Street in Chardon...-----We're getting word this evening that Cleveland radio personality/engineer/all around radio guy Chris Quinn has passed away, apparently after an illness. We have no further details.Chris "The Mighty" Quinn's resume covers a number of important stations in Cleveland.In the 1990's, Chris moved from … [Read more...]
New HD Radio
Posted on September 28, 2008 · Leave a Comment
As one of the approximately one-dozen Northeast Ohio residents with an HD Radio unit, it's our obligation to inform the other 11 about new stations lighting up the "HD" light on those receivers.There's a new one as of this past week, and one we believe is pretty new.The HD Radio newcomer is on the AM side, as Clear Channel sports WARF/1350 Akron "SportsRadio 1350" is using the digital technology as of late last week. That makes it the first Akron-licensed broadcaster to go "HD" - as sister … [Read more...]
OMW’s First Digital TV Q&A
Posted on September 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We went back to read our item about the early analog switchoff of Youngstown market PBS affiliate WNEO/45 Alliance, and...well, we figured some of our readers may have some questions about the digital TV transition.Late on the night of February 17, 2009, just before the clock strikes midnight into the 18th, TV transmitter facilities around America will be very busy places...as every full-power TV station in the nation shuts off its analog transmitter for good. (For the record, as far as we … [Read more...]
Low Power Power?
Posted on September 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment
A proposal being floated by Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin could have positive impact on at least two small local TV stations.Multichannel News reports that Martin is pushing for an October 15th vote on the first phase of a plan - requesting public comment - to get low-power "Class A" stations must-carry status on cable systems:Martin's plan would allow 555 Class A TV stations to apply for full-power status from the FCC. After obtaining approval, the stations could … [Read more...]
Beacon Flips Again
Posted on September 25, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Warren-based Beacon Broadcasting has flipped another radio station format, again.This time, it's Farrell PA-licensed Youngstown rimshot WLOA/1470, which has moved from carrying Sporting News Radio to...simulcasting the classic country format of Beacon's other Pennsylvania-side AM outlet, WGRP/940 Greenville PA.It's not the first, or even the second, time that the two Mercer County PA radio stations have simulcast programming.In fact, WGRP had been paired with WLOA in the sports format ("Your … [Read more...]
Report: Wright Exiting “All Night”
Posted on September 25, 2008 · Leave a Comment
The acquisition of syndicator Jones Radio Networks by mega-syndicator Dial Global has apparently led to the exit of a national radio personality with solid local ties.Radio-Info.com's Tom Taylor reports that "Wright All Night" overnight host Danny Wright will be leaving the combined company by December, as Dial Global lets go six staff members at the former Jones Radio operation in Danny's current home city of Seattle. Taylor reports that a D-G spokesman has confirmed Wright's exit. It's not … [Read more...]
Report: Rover’s “Dieter” Charged
Posted on September 24, 2008 · Leave a Comment
There's a report that stunt guy (Dominic) Dieter, from WMMS/100.7's morning show "Rover's Morning Glory", is in quite a bit of legal hot water tonight. Radio and Records adds some more information to the initial report by CBS affiliate WOIO/19's "19 Action News". Quoting R&R here, apparently going off an earlier WOIO report with more details than the one linked on the station's website this evening: Dieter (...) was charged on Wednesday (Sept. 24) with three counts of assault for allegedly … [Read more...]
