Our Monday morning update is more about what's ahead, as opposed to what's behind. But the view ahead is kind of scary...MORE ON EXPECTED CC CUTS: There are now some numbers and details being attached to the reported first round of Clear Channel-related job cuts, thanks to the national media.Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal's Sarah McBride reported that the San Antonio-based radio giant is planning on "about 1,500 layoffs" on Tuesday, resulting in a loss of about 7 percent of the … [Read more...]
Another Ohio Digital TV Test
Posted on January 14, 2009 · Leave a Comment
As the buzz about a move of the February 17 digital transition date grows in Washington, local TV stations are planning another "soft test" of the end of analog TV.The Ohio Association of Broadcasters has planned the next test for tomorrow. Quoting the OAB press release:More than 40 Ohio television stations representing eight media markets in the state will take part in a digital television (DTV) test on Thursday, January 15. Most stations will start the five-minute tests at 7:30 p.m., although … [Read more...]
DTV Test Day
Posted on December 17, 2008 · Leave a Comment
As we reported earlier, Ohio TV stations will take part in a statewide "analog shutoff soft test" tonight for five minutes, tonight starting at 7:31 PM.During the five minutes, the stations' analog signals will display a message telling viewers that their TV set is not ready for the coming national digital TV transition, which officially takes place just two months from now...late at night on February 17, 2009.Full-power analog stations are required to shut off those signals at 11:59:59 PM on … [Read more...]
New Ohio Radio Ratings?
Posted on November 18, 2008 · Leave a Comment
The folks at Arbitron will get some competition for radio ratings starting next year - and it will affect one Ohio market.The New York Times reports that Nielsen, better known for its TV ratings, will provide radio audience measurement in 50 "small and midsize markets" starting in the third quarter of 2009, in a deal with radio group owner Cumulus, which has been seeking an Arbitron alternative for some time.The Times also reports that in 17 of those markets, Clear Channel's radio stations will … [Read more...]
Out Of The Chute
Posted on November 17, 2008 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 11/17/08 9:50 PM: Two alert readers with the ability to pick up Youngstown market stations tell us that Clear Channel classic hits WBBG/106.1 Niles "Big 106.1" flipped to holiday tunes late last week. We've confirmed the switch by going to the station's website, and listening online.The station is now positioning for the season as "Youngstown-Warren's Christmas Music Channel"...-----------...for a Monday, with some newsy and some random items. Or maybe the title should be "Down The … [Read more...]
Less Than 100 Days
Posted on November 11, 2008 · Leave a Comment
"100 days" is a popular measuring stick for a number of things in our modern world.Here, we're not talking about the progress of presidential administrations. We're talking digital TV...as we're less than 100 days from the mid-February day where every full-power TV station in the country will be forced to shut down that old analog transmitter, and solely broadcast its new digital signal.Well, give or take a few stations shutting analog down early...among them, Northeast Ohio's own WNEO/45 … [Read more...]
Job Wanted – OMW 2
Posted on November 7, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Another local radio professional has taken advantage of our offer to put up a free "job wanted" ad.He's a familiar name to Cleveland market FM listeners - former WNWV/107.3 "The Wave" afternoon drive host Richard Greer, who lost his long-time gig at the Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting-owned smooth jazz station in a recent station schedule shuffle.Richard tells OMW that he's "pretty well looking anywhere in the Tri-State area, but would love to stay in Ohio." He tells us:I have a resume/aircheck … [Read more...]
Small Bites
Posted on September 24, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Three small bites' worth of news items, all of 'em courtesy of our friends over at AllAccess...SEACREST VIRUS INVADES COLUMBUS: The rumors that filtered into our inbox out of Columbus have become reality, as Premiere syndicated host Ryan Seacrest must have compromising pictures of someone in Columbus.Oh, OK, so Ryan's not really our favorite host - but we're not in his target demo.AllAccess reports that Seacrest's syndicated midday show joins the weekday lineup on Clear Channel top 40 WNCI/97.9 … [Read more...]
Some Midweek Stuff
Posted on February 6, 2008 · Leave a Comment
This will be our only update from now until next week, barring the usual major breaking media news (format changes, major personality changes, or such).OMW will start next week with a major announcement. Check in on Monday morning for details.Until then...let's play some catch up!NEW ACTING GM ON EUCLID: OMW hears that Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5 Cleveland has tapped the station's marketing/promotions chief as acting general manager.Peter Noll takes the interim role after the departure of … [Read more...]
Your Tuesday News
Posted on December 11, 2007 · Leave a Comment
At least two items from our Rumormill, and one correction, in this batch...WEATHER OR NOT: OMW hears strong rumblings that a now-former Cleveland TV weather forecaster could be back on the air soon in the market at another station.We haven't confirmed this, though it's quite likely obvious who we're talking about from our wording.We don't know when this will be made official, or what role the new weather person would take at their new station...COLUMBUS HIT AGAIN?: Clear Channel holiday season … [Read more...]
