OMW hears that yet another local TV type is about to leave his station, due to a contract non-renewal.We hear that Scripps Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS/5 "NewsChannel 5" weather forecaster Jeff Mackel will exit the station soon, after the station declined to renew his contract.We don't know when Mackel's last day is, but as our subject header hints, his exit will leave the station's weather department with just two forecasters - Mark Johnson and Jason Nicholas.WEWS made a similar move in the … [Read more...]
WVIZ-DT STA Granted
Posted on June 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We hadn't diligently watched ideastream PBS affiliate WVIZ/25's application to run its post-transition power level before the June 12th transition, one week from Friday.As it turns out, the Special Temporary Authority request was quickly approved by the FCC on May 29th.(We guess we're not used to the FCC or any other government agency processing digital paperwork that quickly.)That means whenever WVIZ-DT's new antenna is mounted on the tower it will share with WKYC-DT, the station will be able … [Read more...]
One TV, One Radio
Posted on June 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment
One quick hit for TV, one for radio...WKYC DIGITAL: From the ODTV side of OMW, a bit about Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3 Cleveland's new facility.As if drawn by a giant magnet to Broadview Road in Parma, the OMW/ODTV Mobile took another trip up to the tower that will soon hold antennas for WKYC-DT (RF 17) and ideastream PBS affiliate WVIZ-DT (RF 26).Why, this time, again?Our inbox was peppered Tuesday with questions from folks who were having trouble picking up the current WKYC-DT (RF 2) … [Read more...]
This Is Here, Cable Wise
Posted on June 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment
If you were trying to figure out what was taking Time Warner Cable's Northeast Ohio system so long to add the MGM classic TV channel "This TV" (via WUAB-DT's 43.2 subchannel), you weren't alone.But considering that we just found it, we can't blame you for missing the addition.We stumbled upon "This TV Cleveland" almost by accident the other day.At least in this part of the TWC NEO universe, it is now airing on digital cable channel 248.A quick look at the lineup shows "This TV" out there on its … [Read more...]
Uncovering Items
Posted on June 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment
It's a very, very busy list today...so, let's get at it...LAST ONE STANDING: We'll have a one-week-out update on our Ohio Digital TV blog later this week.For now, just one note...we have confirmation that at least one Cleveland market TV station will be waiting until the very last minute, literally, to shut off its analog signal.Western Reserve PBS station manager and OMW reader Bill O'Neil checks in to let us know that the PBS station's Akron outlet, WEAO/49, will retire the analog 49 … [Read more...]
Really, Really Assorted Stuff
Posted on June 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Our Monday return is full of followups, assorted items and stuff we haven't gotten to, yet..."THE CAT" FLIPS TO RTN...ER...RTV: As reported earlier and expected, Media-Com LPTV duo WAOH-LP 29 Akron/W35AX Cleveland did indeed go back...into its TV future.The station is now running programming from the Retro Television Network, the same classic TV shows that are now also being run down I-77 at Canton-based Image Video LPTV combo WIVM-LP 52 Canton/WIVN-LP 29 Newcomerstown(/Dover/New … [Read more...]
RTN’s Second Cleveland Market Affiliate
Posted on May 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
NORTH CANTON, OHIO --Well, technically, Image Video LPTV combo WIVM-LP 52 Canton/WIVN-LP 29 Newcomerstown/Dover/New Philadelphia and WIVX-LP 65/Loudonville is actually the first Retro Television Network affiliate in Northeast Ohio.While waiting for the announced June 1st flip of Media-Com LPTV combo WAOH-LP 29 Akron/W35AX 35 Cleveland to RTN programming, OMW got word that the WIVM/WIVN/WIVX folks beat "The Cat" to the RTN switch.The Canton-based stations launched the new RTN (RTV?) programming … [Read more...]
ODTV: It’s About The Timing
Posted on May 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Here we are, just two weeks and one day away from the now-set-in-stone (we presume) digital TV transition date of June 12th.And as we get closer, the timing gets clearer.Read our full item, with significant updates about the digital transition in the Cleveland market, on our Ohio Digital TV blog... … [Read more...]
A TV Thursday
Posted on May 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We're in catch up mode again...MORE ON "THE CAT" AND RTN: Or, is it "RTV"?As noted below, The Retro Television Network, that treasure-trove of classic TV shows ("Magnum P.I", "The Incredible Hulk", The Rockford Files", etc.), will air in the Cleveland market starting Monday, June 1st on Media-Com LPTV combo WAOH-LP 29 Akron/W35AX Cleveland...known on air as "The CAT".(For those who have forgotten, that stands for "The Cleveland-Akron Television Network".)As it turns out, the Plain Dealer's … [Read more...]
Time Warner’s May HDTV Channel Wave
Posted on May 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment
The latest group of new HDTV channels has arrived in most local Time Warner Cable service areas in Northeast Ohio.OMW readers report that the HD versions of the Golf Channel. CNN, FX, Fox News Channel, and Science Channel have shown up as of earlier today. Digital Basic subscribers should also have the HD version of the National Geographic Channel.By tomorrow, HD Tier subscribers should see the history-oriented Smithsonian Channel, and Mav TV.To the best of our understanding, the channels are … [Read more...]
