This will likely be the final item for the week, and could be our final update for the rest of the month.We will try to post major, breaking events...like format changes, major personality or anchor changes, broadcast station sales, and, well, returning radio stations.But in case we don't get a Round Tuit(tm), this might be up for some time...and here's a grab bag of items to close out our agenda for a while...NO MORE RADIO BILL: It was posted as a rumor some time back, but it seems to be … [Read more...]
The FM News/Talk Watch And CBS
Posted on October 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
No, not in the Cleveland market, but more on CBS Radio and Cleveland in a bit.We have a regular feature here we haven't brought up in a while - the FM Talk Watch.We should call it the "FM News/Talk Watch", as we've never really used it to track the so-called "hot talk" stations that have dwindled to a very few these days. We're talking about the move of traditional AM news/talk/sports formats to the FM dial...as either simulcasts or moves.And CBS Radio has just uncorked a big one out in … [Read more...]
About Keeping That Wire Current
Posted on October 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
It's a long-running (gallows humor) joke around here when we talk about the continuing job cuts at the Akron Beacon Journal, one of thousands of newspapers nationwide getting squeezed between the current financial crisis and the diminishing number of readers: "We hope they keep their Associated Press wire bill current."As it turns out, a small, but growing number of newspapers are deciding to send the venerable AP wire packing.The most recent to give the wire service the required two-year … [Read more...]
Official: Beck To WTAM, Frantz To Evenings
Posted on October 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
As reported first right here on your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm), and as expected today, it's officially been announced on Clear Channel talk WTAM/1100.The Cleveland "Big One" will return Premiere syndicated host Glenn Beck to his old time slot, 9 AM-noon, effective November 3rd.Current late morning host Bob Frantz interviewed Beck (in a presumably recorded segment) via telephone on his show this morning, and also announced his own move to the evening time slot. Frantz will air 7 PM-midnight … [Read more...]
Country Hat Tip To Chuck
Posted on October 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
A Cleveland country radio icon is about to become a national Hall of Famer.Clear Channel country WGAR/99.5 Cleveland afternoon driver Chuck Collier will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville. The induction will take place on March 3, 2009.The station says Collier was "one of a very few selected for the Class of 2009" for the Hall of Fame, and is one of "fewer than 60 radio professionals" to receive the honor over the years.Collier got the news in a call from Lon … [Read more...]
Wrapping Up The Week
Posted on October 17, 2008 · Leave a Comment
...with some followups, mostly.We'll be putting up the "Gone Fishin'" sign for the weekend, though your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) has never actually fished. Except for media news stories...WSTB FOLLOWUP: The shutdown of Streetsboro Public Schools station WSTB/88.9 has made it further into the mainstream media.After the Akron Beacon Journal article we linked earlier, WJW/8's "FOX 8 News" made the trek to Portage County, with a live shot explaining the continuing off-air status of the station … [Read more...]
Check The Updates
Posted on October 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment
It's been a busy, busy day for media news in Northeast Ohio...and for us.We've been following three big stories: the year-end exit of Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3 evening co-anchor Tim White after stalled contract talks, the death of long-time Cleveland radio and television personality Jack Reynolds, and the continuing off-air status of Streetsboro schools' radio station WSTB/88.9.Rather than posting separate items updating all of today's news, we've updated the original items. Please scroll … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Tim White Leaving WKYC At Year’s End
Posted on October 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 10/16/08 5:00 PM: The word has been posted on Channel 3's website this afternoon...about the departure of long-time evening co-anchor Tim White at the end of this year.Quoting White in the WKYC release:"For nearly a decade I've had the privilege of being part of one of the best local news operations in the country. The business has changed. What hasn't changed is my deep respect for my colleagues in the newsroom and my gratitude to the people of Northeast Ohio. I have a lot to do in the … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Jack Reynolds Passes Away
Posted on October 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 6:02 PM 10/16/08: WJW "FOX 8" confirms the passing of Jack Reynolds, father of "FOX 8" sports anchor Tony Rizzo, at the age of 71. Quoting the article on MyFoxCleveland.com:Reynolds had been hospitalized for three 1/2 weeks for bypass heart surgery and then for an intestinal operation. He had weathered it all and was recovering, but he took a turn last night and died early this morning.FOX 8 also provides details of his services:Visitation will be Sunday, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ripepi … [Read more...]
A WEWS Exit
Posted on October 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Another change is about to come to Scripps Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS/5, though this one isn't being initiated by the station.OMW hears that "NewsChannel 5" Akron Bureau reporter Jonathan Costen will leave the station in the next couple of weeks, right before the November ratings period.We're hearing that the decision was Costen's, as he's leaving the TV business for another non-broadcast job he's already secured.Right now, Costen is the only reporter in the "NewsChannel 5" Akron bureau, as … [Read more...]
