So, the ol' OMW Inbox has clogged up again over the weekend, and there are still some outstanding items...WJW/FOX SALE?: Estimates are not always perfect, so we weren't 100% sure that we'd hear more by now on our story from last week - the pending sale of Cleveland FOX O&O WJW/8 and eight other FOX below-top 10 market stations, presumably to Oak Hill Capital Partners (Local TV, LLC).The announcement made by a high-level FOX executive in two meetings a week ago today at South Marginal Road … [Read more...]
Tom Sullivan Dies
Posted on December 2, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OMW hears that long-time Northeast Ohio radio personality Tom Sullivan has passed away at the age of 53. Tom, born Tom Farrar in Canal Fulton in 1954, died Friday afternoon.From the Canton Repository's online obituary listing:Tom spent over 30 years in radio and was known by his stage name Tom Sullivan. Tom worked for WKDD, WQMX, WHBC-FM and the old M105 in Cleveland and others. "If I put a smile on your face or made you laugh at one of my stunts, then it was all worth while"Tom's last known … [Read more...]
Two More Outer Area Items
Posted on December 2, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Our apologies if OMW is looking like Columbus And Youngstown Media Watch lately, but that's the bulk of what's been going on in Ohio the past two to three days.Just as a teaser, though...early next week, we'll have a little more from a long-time Cleveland radio personality now "on the beach" - and no, we don't mean literally "on the beach" these days...WIPING OUT A TRANSLATOR: Everyone knew that the move of Clear Channel country WMRN-FM/106.9 to the Columbus market, and the station's frequency … [Read more...]
Two More Columbus Items
Posted on November 30, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Just a couple of quick ones:LIBERAL TALK RADIO BACK IN COLUMBUS: It had been rumored around liberal/progressive political circles and the blogosphere for a day or two, but it's now official - liberal talk radio is making a comeback in Columbus.Columbus Dispatch radio/TV writer Tim Feran confirms that Bernard Radio's WVKO/1580, which recently returned to the air after being silent, will pick up the format on Monday. It'll feature a similar lineup to the market's former liberal talk outlet - … [Read more...]
WMRN About To Move
Posted on November 28, 2007 · Leave a Comment
By the time you read this, former Marion Clear Channel outlet WMRN/106.9 may be broadcasting as the company's new Columbus-based WMRN at 106.7.OMW hears that what should be a couple of weeks of stunting starts on the latter frequency on Thursday afternoon at 12 noon.WMRN's long-time Marion signal at 106.9 went dark earlier this month, nudging the "Buckeye Country" format to WDIF/94.3, known until the move as AC outlet "Mix 94.3". Recent Upper Sandusky move-in WYNT/95.9 Caledonia remains as the … [Read more...]
Mutual Decision
Posted on November 27, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OK, so we're a bit out of the saddle, but yes, we did actually manage to find the story written by Plain Dealer media columnist Julie Washington over the weekend.(Though, as always, we appreciate the help...especially when Ms. Washington's efforts usually require a search party to find if you don't get the Dead Trees edition of the PD.)This is hardly news to anyone who has worked in radio or TV, but stations and employees frequently have different takes on what happens when someone no longer … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted on November 22, 2007 · Leave a Comment
As noted in a previous item, OMW will basically "go dark" for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, though we will post any major news involving the local media if we're able to do so.But here we are, slipping one under the door at deadline...FINAL HO-HO-HO UPDATE, AND A FORMAT ADJUSTMENT: It's Salem CCM WFHM/95.5 "The Fish" in Cleveland as the latest holiday convert, with a planned switch to Christmas music...at least according to their website, at any rate...at midnight tonight/Thanksgiving … [Read more...]
And Still Another Ho-Ho-Ho Destination
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Rubber City Radio standards/oldies WAKR/1590 Akron has become the latest participant in the Northeast Ohio Holiday Music Radio Sweepstakes, flipping sometime today.We particularly like one of the liners we heard today:"The one time a year you let a fat man down the chimney, and don't call 911. News, sports and holiday music...1590/WAKR!"WAKR is no stranger to running traditional Christmas and holiday music. But this year, that sleigh is being driven (sorry, couldn't help it) by the station … [Read more...]
Another One Rides The Sleigh
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
To almost no one's surprise, CBS Radio AC WDOK/102.1 "SoftRock 102.1" has become the first Cleveland market station to flip to holiday music.OMW hears that it was WDOK program director and OMW reader Scott Miller who launched the Christmas tunes parade at 9 AM today.We didn't hear it directly from Scott, but really, it was not a surprise that today was the day for the flip. WDOK has usually been the first Cleveland market station to adopt the usually popular and profitable Christmas music run - … [Read more...]
Turkey Week Starts
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
And more housekeeping: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, OMW will likely be very thin this week. At the moment, we plan to not publish at all from Wednesday through next Monday.Part of this is because there generally isn't any major radio/TV (or indeed, other) news over the holiday weekend...but part is because we're "resetting" and taking some personal time to spend with friends and family.We may be able to post *major* breaking media news, including such things as radio station format … [Read more...]
