Some changes in Northeast Ohio broadcasting to be chronicled...some permanent, some temporary... BOOMS-LESS: As widely expected, CBS Radio sports WKRK/92.3 "The Fan" has opted for evening host Ken Carman to sit alongside Kevin Kiley in morning drive...who co-hosted "Kiley and Booms" for nearly four years with now-former "Fan" co-host Chuck Booms. Uh...not permanently, yet. We hear Carman is scheduled to sit next to Kiley on what is still called "Fan's Morning Show" for this week, and what … [Read more...]
Reprieve For “La Mega”
Posted on April 28, 2015 · 3 Comments
As expected, the looming September 1st FCC deadline for analog LPTV stations to convert to digital has been suspended. The excellent Tom Taylor Now E-mail newsletter gave us first word of the FCC's decision (released on Friday) here, and explains some of it: The reprieve is a logical move given the early-2016 TV spectrum auction that’s going to turn the whole dial upside down after it’s been trimmed up and “re-packed.” The FCC says postponing the September 1 transition date is “appropriate … [Read more...]
This Is (Still) CBS
Posted on October 3, 2014 · Leave a Comment
The folks at the Halle Building, and at other large-but-not-major market CBS Radio clusters, must feel like they're on a roller coaster at Cedar Point, and that coaster has taken another sharp dip. After repeatedly signaling that it wants out of sub-major markets, and wants to concentrate on the biggest markets, CBS Radio took the first big step* in that direction on Thursday. CBS will flip its significant clusters in Charlotte and Tampa to Florida-based Beasley, which in turn will bolster … [Read more...]
Gone And Staying
Posted on September 29, 2014 · 2 Comments
Some random items while waiting for proverbial footwear to drop...and we're talking large shoes here... RADIO DISNEY IS STILL ALL EARS: You were supposed to be hearing the Sounds of Silence on Radio Disney stations like WWMK/1260 Cleveland by now, and no, not the Simon & Garfunkel hit. But instead of silencing 23 signals nationwide (all AM except for one FM in the Indianapolis market), the Mouse House decided at the last minute to keep them operating at Friday's previously announced … [Read more...]
Want To Buy A Cleveland Radio Station?
Posted on August 14, 2014 · 25 Comments
Full market Cleveland radio stations don't go on the block every day, but one's now for sale. Radio Disney is all but getting out of the over-air radio business, as it was revealed Wednesday that Disney is selling 23 of its 24 owned-and-operated Radio Disney outlets, including Cleveland's WWMK/1260. Broadcasting & Cable had first word. The Wrap has the full memo to staff by the chain's general manager, Phil Guerini. The company is keeping Radio Disney flagship KDIS/1110 Los Angeles as … [Read more...]
Weekend Reading
Posted on July 19, 2014 · 2 Comments
We've got some reading for you to help fill your media weekend. Or, you can catch up at work on Monday morning... BACK UP: For nearly a week, Western Reserve PBS' Akron outlet was nowhere to be found on the airwaves. The outage at WEAO/49, the Cleveland-Akron market half of the public TV station's duo, lasted at very least from early Friday morning of last week. This Thursday night, a half-power signal came on the air from the station's Copley Township tower at about 9 PM. WEAO then … [Read more...]
Marriage, Dogs And Baseball
Posted on June 18, 2014 · 3 Comments
Don't worry, you'll figure out the connection... SHE'S MARRIED AND STAYING: The question has been peppering our inbox for some time now. Is Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3 morning meteorologist/host Hollie Strano now leaving the station after her marriage? The question has come up not because Strano is now hitched, but because her new husband doesn't live in Cleveland. Hollie and Alex Giangreco got married over the weekend on the beach in Fort Lauderdale FL (Alex's hometown). And we … [Read more...]
New Canton Country Radio
Posted on May 24, 2014 · 2 Comments
Clear Channel's latest local HD2-to-FM translator project returns a format to one Northeast Ohio community. "99.7 Canton's New Country" launched Friday at 2 PM. Our content partners at RadioInsight had first word, as Life Intervened for your Primary Editorial Voice(tm). RadioInsight's Lance Venta has details of the new station's on air lineup: W259BW is launching commercial-free until June and featuring a Premium Choice lineup that includes Billy Greenwood, Joe Boxer and Michael J. … [Read more...]
The Five Item Pileup
Posted on February 27, 2014 · 6 Comments
You walk away from a blog, and items start to pile up like cars on snow and ice covered roadways. Ah, but a sign of spring is here... STO OFF DISH: It's snowy and wind chills are in the negative numbers on this February day in Ohio, but it was 73 degrees in Goodyear AZ, where the Cleveland Indians played their second Spring Training warmup contest this afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds. Viewers all over the Indians TV territory could get a mental break from winter and watch that … [Read more...]
Thawing Out
Posted on February 19, 2014 · 2 Comments
We're putting away the parka for a few days, and warming up with some news items... CANCER: The word "cancer" is a bombshell when connected to a local media personality. But sometimes it can be treated, and that's what happened to Tribune Fox affiliate WJW/8 "Fox 8 News" anchor/reporter and OMW reader Mark Zinni. A routine physical uncovered signs of what turned out to be thyroid cancer, and after talking to his doctor, Zinni opted to remove his thyroid to prevent any future problems. Yes, … [Read more...]
