We've been getting scattered reports from our readers about the Time Warner Cable HDTV situation in Northeast Ohio.Since we reported earlier that the company's latest wave of HD channels has been rolling out in some, but not all, of the Northeast Ohio footprint due to the implementation of SDV - "Switched Digital Video" - TWC has basically acknowledged that in its latest "Programming Notice" online, updated Tuesday afternoon.Quoting some of the important parts, first, in reference to the April … [Read more...]
Three Quick Hits
Posted on May 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We have been working on some things that aren't confirmed - or can't be printed, yet - so here's what we CAN bring you...THE DECLINE OF WOAC: OK, so most of our readers would say that Canton-licensed WOAC/67's decline began when the station dumped its Canton-focused secular independent programming for infomercials, home shopping and then, more infomercials.But we're getting an insight into the financial problems faced by the TV division of brokered ethnic radio king Arthur Liu's Multicultural … [Read more...]
TWC’s Next HD Wave
Posted on May 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment
OMW hears from Time Warner Cable locally that the wave of HDTV channels planned for addition in Northeast Ohio in late April is now showing up for local cable subscribers.A quick check of the HD DVR here at OMW World Headquarters shows that the channels are indeed available to your Primary Editorial Voice(tm).OMW hears that though the new HD channels are indeed rolling out, some TWC Northeast Ohio subscribers may not have them yet.We're told that the launch is indeed, as we've already speculated … [Read more...]
Thursday’s Mixed Bag
Posted on May 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Try as we might, we can't get our daily updates to always fit into a neat, tidy little bag...THIS IS A TEST, OR WILL BE: Say, what are you doing on May 21st, at 7:30 AM, 12:30 PM or 7:30 PM?If you're watching over-air analog TV that day, anywhere in the nation, you could be watching a national DTV test.The Wall Street Journal reports this week that the FCC is working on a plan that would ask TV stations across the United States to, quoting the article, "suspend regular programming and instead … [Read more...]
Time Warner Cable HD Express Unscheduled Stop
Posted on April 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment
In a well-planned and deliberate effort to add 30 new HDTV channels for its Northeast Ohio customers, Time Warner Cable's HDTV Express has to make an unscheduled stop.The next group of seven new HD channels to be offered in the TWC NEO footprint did not meet an intended April 29th launch on Wednesday, and we don't have any indication when that group of channels will launch.But OMW hears that the company is still working on the second wave of new HD channels, and will let us know when the new … [Read more...]
Time Warner Cable Gets The Flu
Posted on April 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
With growing worldwide attention to the swine flu situation, Time Warner Cable's "Northeast Ohio Network" (NEON) is offering up a special local program on the topic this week.And OMW readers may be interested in who's hosting it.From a TWC press release:-----Medical Special About Swine Flu to Air on Time Warner Cable’s Northeast Ohio Network (NEON)Cleveland Clinic Expert Dr. Thomas Tallman to Discuss Local and National Aspects of the Disease Akron, OH (APRIL 2009) – With the swine flu outbreak … [Read more...]
Local News And Premium Choice
Posted on April 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Isn't branding a wonderful thing?"Local news" is a brand, really. Radio stations that still offer news on a local basis hammer that into listeners' brains. "DEPEND on us for LOCAL news!" "We're your LOCAL NEWS SOURCE!"The reality is somewhat different in 2009.For many stations which once had a, well, "local" newsroom...the "source" is often an anchor in a newsroom anywhere from 25 to a few hundred miles away, trying to sound like they know the area they're serving via computer file … [Read more...]
The CC Ohio Cut List, As We Know It
Posted on April 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE: This list will be updated as new names come in...-----------The following is a list of all the Clear Channel employees we know to have been cut this week in Ohio.There are some new names on the list, that we haven't yet reported, and still some unconfirmed names.For the most part, this list contains names on-air or programming department employees laid off at the company's stations starting Monday.It's our belief that each cluster lost at least one or two off-air employees. If we know … [Read more...]
CC Cuts: Akron/Canton and Youngstown Updates
Posted on April 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Even our short hiatuses go interrupted! Heh.But we have come up with some more information regarding Clear Channel markets we hadn't heard about yet, and felt the need to put these items up...AKRON/CANTON: OMW hears that Clear Channel's Akron/Canton cluster on Freedom Avenue has lost four staffers:Amy Malone, morning co-host at AC WHOF/101.7 "My 101.7"Megan, 7-midnight personality on rock WRQK/106.9 "Rock 106-9"/afternoon traffic reporterProduction staffer Chad JensenEngineer Bruce … [Read more...]
Wednesday’s Radio And TV Openness
Posted on April 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We've got a couple of corrections in the hopper.But first, some FM radio on-air changes... at least one of which has been actually been discussed openly with listeners. Now, there's a change...FISH MOVES: When a radio station is forced to consolidate its staffing and lineup - usually leaving at least one person out of work - management isn't exactly forthcoming about the moves.Leaving personalities often leave with what gets called a "Soviet-style purge" from station websites and promotional … [Read more...]
