No, it's not the antenna that Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 has sorely needed for their signal-plagued VHF digital TV signal (real channel 8/virtual channel 8). It's "Antenna TV," a new Tribune programming service that will launch this coming January. WJW has been cleared as an affiliate, mainly owing to the managing relationship between the two companies... for now, at least. Antenna TV will offer a combination of movies and classic television shows including: Burns & Allen, Hazel, Father … [Read more...]
Fox 8 Involved In Dish Network Dispute
Posted on October 22, 2010 · 5 Comments
UPDATE 10/22/10 1:25 PM: Reader "Fred" points out an article from another Local TV market confirming the representation, here, from long-time Milwaukee media columnist Tim Cuprisin. Fred also reminds us of WJW's anemic 11 kW VHF 8 signal, which means OTA viewing won't be an option for many Dish viewers if there's no Fox/Dish pact by the first of next month... ----------- We've been trying to figure out why Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 "Fox 8" has been invoked in the dispute between Fox (and … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Cavaliers voice Joe Tait out for the rest of 2010
Posted on October 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Legendary Cleveland Cavaliers broadcaster - and Hall-of-Famer - Joe Tait's recovery from a recent bout of pneumonia has unfortunately hit a major snag. The Cavaliers, along with flagship station WTAM/1100, announced last night that Joe will also undergo heart surgery over the next few days and will be sidelined throughout the rest of 2010. There is no timetable for his return as of right now. It will be the first time since the disastrous 1981-83 Ted Stepien era that Joe will neither be heard … [Read more...]
Remembering “Tall Ted” Hallaman
Posted on October 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Veteran radio announcer Ted Hallaman has passed away at the age of 83. A native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, "Tall Ted" (so nicknamed because of his 6"1' stature) originally was a newspaper writer, contributing for The Ambridge Daily Citizen, and then for The Beaver Valley Times in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He first entered radio in 1949 while as a journalism major at Duquesne University, answering a casting call for then-upstart radio station WDUQ/90.5 Pittsburgh. After working in the … [Read more...]
Joe Tait Recovering
Posted on October 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Cavaliers radio announcer Joe Tait experienced discomfort and chest pains during and following the Cavaliers game vs. the Rockets in Houston last night. Following the game, he was transported to The Methodist Hospital in Houston and accompanied by Cavaliers head athletic trainer Max Benton. Joe was admitted, treated and kept overnight for observation and testing. A diagnosis of pneumonia has been made. His condition is stable and he is receiving additional treatment and now resting more … [Read more...]
The (online) Wave loses its’ PD
Posted on October 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting's smooth jazz/new age WNWV/107.3 HD2, aka "The Wave," is now without a program director - and its' last local personality. Former PD/afternoon voice Mark Ribbins' last day at the Elyria-based, Cleveland-targeted station was on Thursday, September 30. Mark was the last person held over from WNWV's primary channels' previous format, which was flipped to adult album alternative in late December. Ribbins stayed on board to program the smooth jazz format online and 107.3 … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Van Lane passes away
Posted on October 5, 2010 · 3 Comments
Legendary broadcaster and executive Van Lane passed away Sunday night. Born Morris Schecter, Lane achieved his greatest success from 1955 until 1968, mostly through daily freelance Thoroughbred racing news that Lane provided to WHK/1420, KYW/1100, WERE/1300 and WJW/850. Those racing reports were so popular (as the sport enjoyed its' pinnacle at that same period) that Schiltz Beer even served as a sponsor for several years. He also was the play-by-play voice for the old AHL Cleveland Barons on … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Former WUAB owner Steven Cannell passes away
Posted on October 1, 2010 · 3 Comments
Former Raycom MyNetwork TV affiliate WUAB/43 Lorain owner Steven J. Cannell passed away late last night at age 69, from complications associated with melanoma. He was far more known for the multitude of TV series that he created or produced over the past forty years, including "The A-Team," "21 Jump Street," The Commish," "Baretta," "The Rockford Files," "The Greatest American Hero," and "Wiseguy," among others. Even his studio's production logo, which featured him pulling out a piece of paper … [Read more...]
Doc Thompson (kinda) returns to Ohio
Posted on October 1, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Remember Doc Thompson? He's the former production director for Clear Channel oldies/classic hits WMJI/105.7, and also was a producer and sidekick for the station's longtime top-rated "Lanigan and Malone" morning show. (Listeners to talk WTVN/610 Columbus may even remember the Saturday night talk show he co-hosted with fellow WMJI staffer Bryan Radabaugh back at the turn of the century.) Doc left WMJI in 2005 for a programming gig at short-lived Albuquerque NM startup FM talker KAGM, and later … [Read more...]
WGAR hires Tim Leary for mornings
Posted on September 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Veteran Clear Channel country WGAR/99.5 announced yesterday that they have a new morning show host. It's Tim Leary, host of "The Morning Showgram" on Hall Communications WCTK/98.1 "Cat Country" in Providence, Rhode Island. Leary's last day at WCTK will be October 8; he's slated to start at WGAR on October 25. Upon the prospect of joining WGAR, Leary told AllAccess: "I’m absolutely humbled and honored with this opportunity to work at such a country heritage icon as WGAR. My jaw is still on the … [Read more...]
