Some random items to head into June:ITEM 1: Chicago Sun-Times media beat writer Robert Feder reports that the Chicago-based producer of syndicated CBS Radio morning show "Rover's Morning Glory" has left the show. Feder says about the departure of market veteran Joe Bartosch from the program headed up by Shane "Rover" French: "It can't be a good sign when a failing morning show loses one of its few connections to its home market."Regular readers of OMW know that Feder, considered the dean of … [Read more...]

After over 20 years with Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting, president/general manager Gary Kneisley is stepping down from the top management post at the company, at the end of the year.Radio & Records Online reports that former Metro Networks regional manager Lonnie Gronek will take over as GM of the chain which includes Cleveland-targeted smooth jazz outlet WNWV/107.3 Elyria ("The Wave"), news/talk WEOL/930 Elyria, AC/oldies combo WLKR/95.3 - WLKR/1510 Norwalk, and country WKFM/96.1 "K96" … [Read more...]

Two notes from readers south of the usual OMW coverage area...* An OMW reader tells us that Clear Channel talk WTVN/610 Columbus is running promos that they are "about to take over another station". While it very well could be hinting of something as bold as adding an FM simulcast to 610, it also could be alluding to a promotion temporarily taking over...a gas station, to offer lower gas prices in a promotional stunt.We have no inside information on this, but our proverbial $20 at the OMW … [Read more...]

If you thought the idea of WARF/1350 "Radio Free Ohio" midday host Joe Finan blogging was odd...here's the next step.The Clear Channel Akron liberal talker's show is now available in podcast form at the station's website. Like other podcasts - including the recently established feed for sister WTAM/1100 afternoon motormouth Mike Trivisonno - you can either download manually, or put the "XML" URL into your podcast catcher (iTunes, etc.) to download the show automatically.Fortunately for Finan, … [Read more...]

If you're a DirecTV subscriber waiting for the satellite service to offer HDTV local channels in the Cleveland market, you might want to get out your calendar for June.OMW hears that Cleveland market DirecTV subscribers are getting an HD locals launch date from the company's customer service representatives - June 28th.For DirecTV subscribers to get the new HD locals, they'll have to get new MPEG4-capable equipment from the satellite company.At launch, the HD locals will almost surely be limited … [Read more...]

UPDATE: The Business Journal reports the WYTV news conference has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled...The "new network situation" is becoming clearer in the Youngstown market, where UPN/WB replacement The CW is already set. It looks like My Network TV will find a Mahoning Valley home as well.The Youngstown-Warren Business Journal reports that Chelsey Broadcasting ABC affiliate WYTV/33 will announce a "second local channel" at a ribbon-cutting event tomorrow. (Thanks to an alert OMW … [Read more...]

Oh, we almost forgot this one, even though we caught the tail end of it being announced on last night's "Channel 3 News at 11" on Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC/3:Weekend anchor Kim Wheeler is "moving on up" to weekday mornings. She'll replace Carole Sullivan, who recently announced her departure from the station and from Northeast Ohio. Sullivan will follow her football coach husband to Kalamazoo MI, where he works for Western Michigan University... … [Read more...]

That's hot, as in the temperature...as it's currently 82 degrees at the OMW World Headquarters in northwest Akron. The items are actually rather mild...HOT WEEKEND ITEM 1: Air America syndicated midday host Jerry Springer returned to the Northeast Ohio airwaves early this evening - apparently by accident. While running some errands around town, we heard the former WTAM/1100 Cleveland mid-morning time slot occupant on Akron liberal talker WARF/1350 "Radio Free Ohio".We say "by accident" … [Read more...]

Long before Hearst Argyle owned Cincinnati NBC affiliate WLWT/5, and before Clear Channel ended up with talk WLW/700, both stations were co-owned in the Crosley era.The ownership situation is not changing, but the stations are now teaming up for a news and weather sharing partnership...which isn't really even the most interesting part of this story.As Cincinnati Post radio/TV columnist Rick Bird notes, the new WLW/WLWT partnership - which puts the TV station's weather forecasters on WLW - means … [Read more...]

The item about CBS Radio's Opie & Anthony, which we noted below from the Plain Dealer's Entertainment Blog, has now appeared in print in Julie Washington's Saturday radio column.Julie also lists local award winners in the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards - including a slew of awards for ABC affiliate WEWS/5, and for Clear Channel talk WTAM/1100 on the radio side. TV-wise, the "Best Regularly Scheduled News" first place award goes to WOIO/19, with WKYC/3 in second place. (They DO … [Read more...]