We've got a couple of corrections in the hopper.But first, some FM radio on-air changes... at least one of which has been actually been discussed openly with listeners. Now, there's a change...FISH MOVES: When a radio station is forced to consolidate its staffing and lineup - usually leaving at least one person out of work - management isn't exactly forthcoming about the moves.Leaving personalities often leave with what gets called a "Soviet-style purge" from station websites and promotional … [Read more...]
News, Snow and Trouble
Posted on April 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment
UPDATE 4/7/09 2:10 PM: Thanks to WNIR listener and OMW reader "Wayne in Akron", here's your answer to the "when it starts" question for the Akron talk station's new weekend show with Bob Earley:----- WNIR's new weekend "Earley In The Evening" show begins on Saturday, April 25th according to the station's website scroll and the commercial that has aired a few time.-----When we checked the website earlier, the scroll wasn't working for us, and Earley hasn't been added to the "24/7 Program Guide" … [Read more...]
Another Friday Mix
Posted on February 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment
It looks like another Friday mix as we close out the week, though we could have another piece of news later today.And no, "Mix" doesn't mean we're going to put up a computerized female voice announcing songs...PRINT WOES: As the rumor mill buzzes about yet another round of job cuts said to be in the works at one Northeast Ohio newspaper publisher, yet another major daily newspaper has printed its final edition.Denver is a one newspaper town after today, as the very last edition of the Rocky … [Read more...]
Odd And Not So Odd Midweek
Posted on February 25, 2009 · Leave a Comment
This midweek post is an odd collection of items...though we'll start with the "not so odd" part...CALL HIM A HALL OF FAMER: After next Tuesday, Clear Channel Cleveland country outlet WGAR/99.5 will officially be able to call one of its staffers a "Hall of Famer".As OMW reported back in October, WGAR afternoon drive star Chuck Collier will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville on March 3rd.Quoting a Clear Channel release on next week's induction:After his induction … [Read more...]
Toledo Cumulus Update
Posted on February 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Put an asterisk by the list of names in our earlier item about layoffs at Cumulus Toledo.OMW hears that WRQN afternoon drive host Ron Sobzak has apparently been spared from the cuts, and an OMW reader in the market tells us that he is indeed on the air as usual this afternoon.We are also hearing conflicting information about WXKR/WLQR/WTOD sales manager Hugh McPherson's departure... and that his apparent exit to another market may have been in the works before this latest round of Cumulus Toledo … [Read more...]
Monday Potpourri
Posted on February 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment
It's Monday, and unlike some potpourri, ours is a mix of both palatable and unpalatable items. (We wish we could control the ingredients...)CUMULUS LAYOFFS: Looks like we start off with the unpalatable, as Cumulus Media dropped the layoff axe again late last week...and the company's two Northern Ohio markets were hit hard.We already told you about Toledo's job carnage on Friday...we'll fill in some of the names in a bit.And like in Toledo, if Cumulus keeps cutting like this in Youngstown, … [Read more...]
Digital TV Date Frustration, Part Two
Posted on February 8, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Here's the promised second update in our "When Will Ohio Stations Dump Analog?" series, covering markets outside Cleveland/Akron. This one is also getting too big, so we'll cover the remaining markets in Southern Ohio and Southwest Ohio later.Just as we cautioned Saturday, remember that stations will have to re-file their intentions to hold to the original February 17th digital transition date. The FCC will accept those filings through the end of Monday (just before midnight Tuesday).From what … [Read more...]
Yes, There’s Radio
Posted on February 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We've focused so much on the digital TV transition recently, that we wouldn't be surprised if some of our newer readers wondered if we forgot about radio.Of course not. We just can't control all the crazy activity surrounding the change in the digital TV transition date.But here are some radio items hitting our radar, along with one that also touches TV. Unfortunately, not all the news is good...MORE LAYOFFS: OMW hears that the already devastated Cumulus cluster in Toledo is undergoing … [Read more...]
The Shortest Month
Posted on February 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm) is Northeast Ohio-based again, as we're back at the OMW World Headquarters after being in other states.With our departure seeming to trigger major media changes in Ohio each time, this time was no exception...with no fewer than three Central Ohio stations changing format while we were outside the Buckeye State.Notice, we said "no fewer"...FALLOUT: As we headed back home, we got word from two OMW readers that the Columbus Radio Format Shuffle may not be done yet.When … [Read more...]
Toledo Sale
Posted on January 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment
It appears that the folks at Toledo's Cornerstone Church may be getting out of the broadcasting business.AllAccess reports that the church's two radio stations - WNKL/96.9 Wauseon and WNWT/1520 Rossford - are being sold to California-based Educational Media Foundation for $2.8 million.EMF, of course, programs the satellite Christian contemporary music format "K-Love" from suburban Sacramento, and has been operating with that format on WNKL via a local marketing agreement since late 2004. The … [Read more...]
