This may be bigger news to you if you're a fan of the CW Network's prime-time lineup, and have a high-definition TV.OMW got a tip that Winston Broadcasting CW affiliate WBNX/55 Akron has finally lit up its long-awaited digital signal.We lit up our own HDTV set, and sure enough, it's there, apparently at a decent power level.We imagine that like most such installations, WBNX still has to test and make adjustments to the signal. But this is the first ever sign of the WBNX-DT signal, which … [Read more...]
WKSU’s Vincent Duffy Heads For Michigan
Posted on April 4, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OMW has confirmed that WKSU/89.7 program director Vincent Duffy is leaving the Kent-based NPR outlet for a new job out of state.Duffy will become news director of the University of Michigan's network of three NPR stations, based at the university in Ann Arbor."Michigan Radio" originates at WUOM/91.7 Ann Arbor, which serves southeast Michigan including nearby Detroit, and has outlets in Flint and Grand Rapids.OMW hears that in addition to the radio work, Duffy will have a chance to do some TV … [Read more...]
Midweek Update
Posted on April 4, 2007 · Leave a Comment
And at nearly the exact middle of the workweek, at that...how did we manage that?DAVE AND JIMMY KISS YOUNGSTOWN: As rumored, OMW hears it's going to happen Monday at Clear Channel Youngstown top 40 WAKZ/95.9 "Kiss FM".Regionally syndicated morning team "Dave and Jimmy", based at Clear Channel top 40 powerhouse WNCI/97.9 Columbus, will take the open morning drive slot at the Youngstown station on Monday.WAKZ has parted ways with Los Angeles-based Sean Valentine, whose voicetracked morning drive … [Read more...]
Renda Moves On To Philly
Posted on April 4, 2007 · Leave a Comment
MediaWeek magazine reports that WJW/8 "FOX 8" vice president/general manager Mike Renda is leaving the Cleveland FOX O&O after some 10 years to take a similar post at the company's Philadelphia O&O, WTXF/29.(Well, we actually heard the news first Tuesday on the WKNR/850 "ESPN 850" mid-morning show hosted by FOX 8 sports anchor Tony Rizzo, but our Round Tuits[tm] hadn't come back from the factory until today.)Renda has held the top post at the local FOX station for some 10 years, and the … [Read more...]
Random Tuesday Stuff
Posted on April 3, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Just going through our "to do" list, with news and comment (no, not involving Paul Harvey)...there's still more, that we'll get to later tonight...KISSED OFF?: It looks like Clear Channel Youngstown top 40 WAKZ/95.9 "Kiss FM" is the latest CC Ohio top 40 station going a different direction in morning drive.On the heels of sister Cincinnati "Kiss" outlet WKFS/107.1, WAKZ appears to be ending its relationship with Los Angeles-based Sean Valentine, the afternoon driver at L.A.'s original "Kiss FM" … [Read more...]
Back Into It
Posted on April 2, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Since there's not much "new" at the moment, we'll go back and touch on updates to ongoing items...1350 SWITCH FALLOUT: As reported and expected, Clear Channel's WARF/1350 Akron dropped the liberal talk format Friday morning for sports as "Sports Radio 1350".It was a pretty uneventful flip. Jones Radio syndicated host Bill Press - whose current show started solely on WARF - threw out quick a "Goodbye, Akron!" just moments before the previously scheduled 8:58:50 spot break.Then, the station … [Read more...]
Finally, Akron/Canton News Closure Is Near
Posted on March 28, 2007 · Leave a Comment
No, we don't know if it was our incessant "coverage" of the lack of the WKYC/3-produced "Akron/Canton News" on the former Adelphia Summit County systems now owned by Time Warner Cable. But it looks like we'll finally get our wish."Akron/Canton News" anchor Eric Mansfield, on his DiscoverNEO blog, says Akron area residents on the former Adelphia system should be able to see his program soon:Don't touch that dial: The official announcement is coming Friday from Time-Warner Cable but it looks like … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Munch In, Roda Out for WKNR Afternoon Drive
Posted on March 27, 2007 · Leave a Comment
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Arts & Entertainment blog reports big changes at Good Karma sports talk WKNR/850 Cleveland.PD columnist Mike McIntyre reports that Clear Channel WMJI/105.7-WMMS/100.7 sports director Mark "Munch" Bishop is headed for the 3-6 PM slot at "ESPN 850 WKNR", replacing Kenny Roda. McIntyre quotes unnamed sources that Roda will stay aboard at WKNR, though it is not clear what role he will take.Bishop joins another former WMJI'er on the WKNR roster - mid-morning host … [Read more...]
Random Tuesday Fodder
Posted on March 27, 2007 · Leave a Comment
NOTE TO KEN AND KITTY FANS: We appreciate your reading this article, which has apparently been linked to their website.However, Ohio Media Watch is not connected to either the show, or to the former radio home of the show. We are an independent online media publication that owns no broadcast facilities.If you wish to reach Ken and Kitty, please hit the BACK button on your browser and contact them directly via their website.Thank you!--The Management-------------We've got some flotsam and … [Read more...]
Controversy With Drennan
Posted on March 26, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Our title, of course, is a play on the name of sportscaster Bruce Drennan's former WKNR/850 morning show, "Mornings With Drennan". Feel free to sing it out loud in the style of, say, a show tune...Ever since regional sports network SportsTime Ohio announced that Drennan would host a daily talk show on the channel ("All Bets Are Off"), the Northeast Ohio media world can't stop buzzing about the hiring of a man who so recently walked out of a federal penitentiary, he has to get a work release … [Read more...]
