It's a changing world, but even more so in local media... THE CURIOUS CASE OF WINW...ER...WCER: When last we visited the world of Curtis A. Perry III, operator of gospel daytimer WINW/1520 Canton, he was basically drowning in water - radio wise. The station, which he claims to own through a time brokerage-to-purchase agreement (despite license transfer paperwork not being filed with the FCC), has been off the air since earlier this year. The FCC deleted WINW's license, saying the station … [Read more...]
NewsChannel 5 Busts Up Good Morning Cleveland
Posted on July 5, 2011 · 13 Comments
UPDATE 11:55 PM 7/6/11: OMW hears that Kenworthy and Gill's contracts were up at the end of July, and that station management told them Tuesday that the contracts wouldn't be renewed. We hear the moves were "a total shock to everyone" at 3001 Euclid. What can you blame for this sudden move, if anything? Weak ratings...the Gill/Kenworthy team running up against the buzzsaw that is Local TV WJW/8's "Fox 8 News in the Morning", and stability and ratings growth over at 13th and Lakeside (Gannett … [Read more...]
Entering July
Posted on July 1, 2011 · 2 Comments
And we start the month with a long list of topics, some that have been sitting here a while, and others brand new... MATT'S LANDING: Like, for example, the word of the Houston landing place of Northeast Ohio-born-and-bred talker Matt Patrick. The former Clear Channel Akron market hot AC WKDD/98.1 and talk WHLO/640 host, who holds the 1-4 PM Saturday slot at Clear Channel talk WTAM/1100 Cleveland, is making a big splash at a huge Clear Channel station in Houston. Starting Tuesday, July 5th, … [Read more...]
That WKNR Announcement
Posted on June 29, 2011 · 1 Comment
As we expected and hinted about on Twitter on Tuesday, Good Karma sports WKNR/850 Cleveland "ESPN 850"'s "major programming announcement" is not about changes to the station's highest profile shows or their hours, or a new signal. The station is launching a new daily official Cleveland Browns show, "Cleveland Browns Daily", weekdays 6-7 PM year-round. The show's host, veteran NFL journalist Vic Carucci, will be a Cleveland Browns team employee. It appears from the announcement that the team … [Read more...]
The Friday Mix
Posted on June 24, 2011 · 3 Comments
UPDATE 6/26/11 1:30 AM: In sorting through the various awards recently handed out for Kent State University public radio outlet WKSU/89.7-and-its-simulcasters, we missed this individual award from the Ohio Professional Writers, Inc. (OPW), the state affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW). And we feel bad about missing it, as it mentions "one of our own", the woman who is the conduit of all information about WKSU, who happens to have a more important title than just the one … [Read more...]
That Long Delayed Update
Posted on June 14, 2011 · Leave a Comment
As regular readers know, Life Often Intervenes when it comes to the ability to update this blog. We're often able to put up brief updates on Twitter and Facebook, but not able to set aside the time for a full blog post. We have the time, so here we are... FREE BEER AND HOT WINGS: A Youngstown station is offering Free Beer and Hot Wings. No, don't start lining up at Cumulus classic rock WYFM/102.9 "Y103" hoping for no-cost booze and snacks. "Free Beer and Hot Wings" is the name of a morning … [Read more...]
WGAR Reunion Today
Posted on June 11, 2011 · 3 Comments
UPDATE 6/12/11 7:55 PM: Here's some video of the event, courtesy of Ray Glasser via his YouTube account. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6nmFr2IUmk&w=640&h=390] Though your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) was not able to make it, OMW did turn out to have representation. From our Second: Great to meet so many people there at the event today. Many of whom also expressed Very Kind Words about the blog and for the two of us. Thanks to all of YOU for the kind words. Our apologies … [Read more...]
Opening June
Posted on June 7, 2011 · 1 Comment
Some changes, some "comings and goings" and a reminder or two... COMINGS AND GOINGS: They're both at Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5, with a long-time "NewsChannel 5" name heading out the door, and a new Internet hire coming in. From a memo that floated out of 3001 Euclid, took the RTA HealthLine downtown and then made a few transfers to get to the OMW World Headquarters(tm): Alicia Booth will be leaving Channel 5 after nine and a half years effective June 23rd. Alicia wants to spend more … [Read more...]
Moves And New Stations – Or Not
Posted on June 1, 2011 · 4 Comments
As media news items, like celebrity deaths, seem to come in threes...we couldn't wait anymore.... 3 GRABS LOTTERY TV: For decades in Cleveland, you could come to depend on some TV staples. Tune to Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 weeknights, and you'll see Dick Goddard forecasting the weather (still true, even after 50 years on the air at age 80). Tune in to Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5, and you'll get the Ohio Lottery's live results. Scratch that one (so to speak) off your list. After many, … [Read more...]
Two Bombshells
Posted on May 26, 2011 · 1 Comment
There have been two major pieces of news from the world of Northeast Ohio media in the past day. And as big as the news from Cleveland radio was, news from the television side was even more amazing... MEDICAL LEAVE: For nearly 11 years, WKYC/3 sports director Jim Donovan has had a secret few people outside 13th and Lakeside knew about...but now, everyone knows. Donovan has been quietly battling leukemia. And "everyone knows" now because at the end of his sports segment on Wednesday's 11 PM … [Read more...]
