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...]
On The Way In, And On The Way Out
Posted on June 10, 2014 · 3 Comments
Incoming and outgoing news tops our agenda today, in people, shows and channels... MOVING UP AT DICK GODDARD WAY: Sales wins the day when it comes to replacing former Tribune Fox affiliate WJW/8 "Fox 8" VP/general manager Greg Easterly. The station has tabbed one of two strong internal candidates to replace Easterly, who moved to Chicago to run new Tribune sister station (and Tribune TV flagship) WGN/9. He's Paul Perozeni, who's been VP/general sales manager for WJW for 13 years, and has … [Read more...]
The U.S. 62 Update
Posted on May 30, 2014 · Leave a Comment
So named because most of our items today involve either Canton or Youngstown... THE STANSBURY CANTON SHOW: Veteran Northeast Ohio personality Dan Stansbury has found a new place for his radio show, and we're pretty sure the station will still be broadcasting in English next month. Stansbury has taken a ride down I-77, where "The Stansbury Show" will air weekday mornings on Clear Channel rock WRQK/106.9 Canton starting next week. He'll be joined by Matt Fantone, who was unceremoniously … [Read more...]
We Almost Lost Dick Goddard
Posted on May 15, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Veteran Tribune Fox affiliate WJW/8 "Fox 8 News" meteorologist Dick Goddard almost left this earth after over 83 years (28 Celsius, as he says), but not due to his advanced age. Goddard, and weather forecasters across Northeast Ohio, have surely repeated advice to those driving in flooded areas..."turn around, don't drown"...but he didn't take that advice this week in Medina County. The Medina County Gazette's David Knox has details, including very vivid on scene pictures of Goddard's … [Read more...]
A Whole Box Of Media Changes
Posted on May 12, 2014 · 2 Comments
As usual, the busiest times in the life of your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) roughly coincide with the busiest times in local media news, and the past few days are no exception... NEW RESERVE SQUARE LEADER: We've written words and words and more words about now-retired Raycom Media CBS/MyNet affiliate WOIO/19-WUAB/43 VP/general manager Bill Applegate. Will his successor have such a high profile? Incoming at Reserve Square is Dominic Mancuso, who has been leading Sinclair's stations in … [Read more...]
Spring Changes
Posted on May 1, 2014 · Leave a Comment
The theme for this one is change... in one way or the other... CHARTER, NOT COMCAST: Northeast Ohio customers of Time Warner Cable, the area's dominant cable provider, were preparing themselves to deal with Comcast. The merger of Time Warner and Comcast has been in the works, and is currently awaiting federal regulatory approval. It's that bid to garner approval that led Comcast and Time Warner to team up with a third company, Charter Communications...which will either directly or … [Read more...]
Spring Layoff Season
Posted on April 17, 2014 · Leave a Comment
The snow is no longer flying again, for now, but the layoff season is in full swing... CLEAR CHANNEL SALES CUTS: It'd been foreseen for weeks. Media giant Clear Channel was expected to radically overhaul its sales structure, cutting back on local sales efforts and streamlining that end of the company's operations. Sure enough, that became a reality on Wednesday. We'll let the excellent Tom Taylor Now newsletter handle the basic description, quoting from a company release about a topic Clear … [Read more...]
A Home Run Update
Posted on April 5, 2014 · Leave a Comment
No, we're not bragging...it's just that baseball is on our mind, after Friday's big Opening Day at Progressive Field. This update is very TV heavy, though those looking for an important update on an earlier radio story should immediately scroll down to our last item... DISH AND STO CONNECT: And since these things usually come down to the last minute, the Indians home opener probably nudged SportsTime Ohio and Dish Network into an agreement. Just hours before the rain-delayed first … [Read more...]
Ending March With A Bang
Posted on March 31, 2014 · Leave a Comment
It's nearly April...and news is breaking out all over... LANIGAN'S GONE: Clear Channel classic hits WMJI/105.7 "Majic 105.7" morning icon John Lanigan has been hearing "goodbye" for weeks from thousands of people, particularly the last week. He finally said "goodbye" himself to his over 40 years in Cleveland radio this morning. Lanigan was honored during the intermission of Saturday's 2014 edition of the station's signature event, the "Moondog Coronation Ball" at Quicken Loans Arena. We … [Read more...]
L’Affaire Rizzo – The End
Posted on March 28, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Long-time Cleveland sports media personality Tony Rizzo has had his day in court. And it appears that Rizzo, who was originally charged with domestic violence, may not serve any jail time. The host of Good Karma sports WKNR/850 "ESPN Cleveland"'s midday "The Really Big Show" agreed to a plea deal Thursday in Medina Municipal Court. Northeast Ohio Media Group via Cleveland.com reports that he pled to a lesser charge: Rizzo, 52, of Medina pleaded no contest to persistent disorderly … [Read more...]
