With the inauguration of President Obama in the history books, the coverage and wrapup of today's events will continue into the night.Though there will be some regular entertainment programming on the broadcast TV networks - most notably the FOX powerhouse "American Idol" at 8 - there will also be network specials wrapping up the day's events.We'll also take this opportunity to note an hour-long ABC News Radio special airing on Rubber City Radio oldies WAKR/1590 Akron from 7:05 to 8 PM tonight. … [Read more...]
That Big Day Is Here
Posted on January 20, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We feel kind of short handed on this day, with major news breaking out all over, and just one person to keep track of it - your Primary Editorial Voice(tm).But we'll do our best...and please, if you hear anything, let us know...AS SCHEDULED: It's been rumored for weeks, and reported in major newspapers the past few days...and yes, it does appear radio giant Clear Channel has brought out the layoff axe.Trade websites are starting to line up the job cuts, which are expected to affect roughly 7 … [Read more...]
Closing Friday
Posted on January 16, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Many of the items below have to do with the upcoming transition to digital TV, which is currently scheduled for February 17th, 2009.But first, we've got an elephant in the middle of the room that we can't ignore...CLEAR CHANNEL RUMORS: We've touched on it before, briefly...the rumors that massive job cuts are in the works at Clear Channel clusters around the country, after an important managers' meeting in Dallas a while back.Since then, the radio rumor mill has pumped out January 20th - next … [Read more...]
Assorted Thursday
Posted on January 15, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Welcome to our Thursday random scattering of items...we'll try to make sure none of the scatter hits our readers directly!We don't want to injure anyone...GANNETT FURLOUGH: Media giant Gannett is forcing workers to take an unpaid week off, a move the company says is meant to reduce layoffs in this troubled economic world for the media.We first saw the item in a wire story posted on Frank Macek's "Director's Cut" blog for his employer, Gannett's NBC affiliate in Cleveland, WKYC/3.But 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...]
Back To Monday
Posted on January 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 1/12/08 9:28 AM: Or maybe that WKNR announcement below could actually be something.In the comments below this item, an OMW reader provides a link to an item by the Lake County News-Herald's Bob Finnan.Quoting:Michael Reghi will move into the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot on WKNR-AM 850 starting today, an industry source said. Reghi will replace Mark “Munch” Bishop in that time slot.Reghi has been with WKNR since shortly after he lost the Cavaliers' TV play-by-play job on FOX Sports Ohio, though … [Read more...]
A Snowy Update
Posted on January 10, 2009 · Leave a Comment
As local TV weather forecasters predict anywhere from 4, to 10, to 250 inches of snow for Northeast Ohio this weekend, what else do you have to do but read this Snowbound Week-Ending OMW update?We've stocked up on the essentials...you'll have enough here to last you through the snowy weekend. And we're only kidding about that "250" number above. It only seems like it...WEOL EXIT: We have few details, but we hear that Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting talk WEOL/930 Elyria has parted ways with … [Read more...]
February 17…Or Not?
Posted on January 8, 2009 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 1/8/09 4:03 PM: As hinted below, President-elect Barack Obama is indeed urging a delay in the DTV transition date.Quoting an Associated Press article we found on the TVNewsday trade news website:In a letter to key lawmakers, transition team co-chair John Podesta warned Thursday that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcasts won't be ready.The letter to Congress reportedly focuses on two reasons for delay: the reported problems with the government's … [Read more...]
Odd Items Update
Posted on January 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment
There have been some news items from areas outside Northeast Ohio in the past few days, and we've either been on hiatus, or busy with items closer to our base to cover markets like Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown.That's most of this item, though we'll start with Cleveland...TROUBLED TALKERS: Late December was a bad time for talk radio hosts getting into hot water.But it wasn't something that came from the mouth of Clear Channel Cleveland talk WTAM/1100 Sunday night host Art McKoy that got him … [Read more...]
Digital TV Update
Posted on January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment
As promoted, but a little late...a bit of a Digital TV Update. As of this writing, we're about 6 weeks away from the digital TV transition on February 17th, where, by 11:59:59 PM, all full-power stations will turn off their signals.Well, almost all.We've told you about the so-called "nightlight" analog TV bill, which was approved and signed into law. It allows a certain number of stations to keep their analog TV transmitters up for 30 days after February 17, carrying information about the … [Read more...]
