New Vision CBS affiliate WKBN/27 Youngstown has found a new co-anchor for Dave Sess on their 6:00PM and 11:00PM broadcasts, after Whitney Ward left the station last month to be closer to family in her native Washington (joining KEPR-TV Pasco in the process). It's Teresa Weakley, who comes to WKBN from Young Broadcasting-owned (and Gray Television-managed) ABC affiliate WKRN/2 Nashville, where she was that station's live morning reporter and fill-in anchor. She formally debuted on WKBN's 5:00 … [Read more...]
News, Scattered and Sown
Posted on September 26, 2010 · 1 Comment
There have been so many stories that have popped up over the past week (notwithstanding the flap between Matt Patrick and the entire Michigan State Spartans fanbase for his remarks on coach Mike D'Antonio back on Monday... so much has been said that this list of articles across the country should suffice). As OMW's Primary Editorial Voice (tm) noted late last week, a guest editor would likely be brought aboard to help out as a Secondary Editorial Voice (tm). As such, this will be my first … [Read more...]
Dismantling The Beacon Empire
Posted on September 11, 2010 · 4 Comments
Long-time readers of your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm) have probably noticed that we have a particular obsession with a small Mahoning Valley radio group. Since before we started in 2005, some form of Beacon Broadcasting has owned up to five radio stations along the Ohio/Pennsylvania border...a reign that's coming to an end. Pittsburgh-based broker Ray Rosenblum passes along word that the remaining three Beacon stations - on the PA side of the state border - are being sold to Educational Media … [Read more...]
And Another Update
Posted on August 24, 2010 · 3 Comments
We're mostly updating some of the busier items we've posted in the past couple of weeks...with one new piece of information, though it's been sitting for a while... JIM MANTEL REDUX: Helpful OMW readers have been alerting us to TV appearances by now-former Clear Channel country WGAR/99.5 morning host Jim Mantel, who was shown the door a week ago when the company reportedly declined to renew his contract. Also gone from the morning show at WGAR is producer "Captain Tony" McGinty, who we … [Read more...]
The Big Followup
Posted on August 18, 2010 · 7 Comments
As usual when major media news breaks here, we spend time afterwards sorting it all out... MANTEL'S EXIT: It's the day after long-time WGAR/99.5 morning man Jim Mantel was shown the door at the Clear Channel Cleveland country outlet, and instead of being behind the microphones at Oak Tree, he's communicating with his fans via social media. Mantel noted on his Twitter account: "Probably heard that I'm no longer on the air at wgar. Was lucky to do morning in my hometown for 18 1/2 yrs. On the … [Read more...]
Columbus, Akron And Youngstown
Posted on July 19, 2010 · 12 Comments
Our news this time around comes from the above-mentioned areas, and we start off with a shock, unfortunately... PROGRAMMER DIES: Columbus alt-rocker WWCD/101.1 Grove City "CD101" is going through a lot lately. As reported here, the station is in the midst of a move to the more powerful 102.5/Baltimore frequency, where it's simulcasting now...and will become "CD102.5" when The Ohio State University moves its classical music to the 101.1 frequency. The station's long-time programmer won't be … [Read more...]
Not Just LeBron
Posted on July 11, 2010 · 1 Comment
We have plenty of items that have nothing to do with a talented young athlete choosing to throw a ball into a hoop in a different city. But since LeBron James has dominated the media both here and outside of here, we'll start off this item with the obvious... LESOUTH BEACH: The now-former Cleveland Cavaliers star was Topic 1, 2 and 3 even before he scraped Northeast Ohio off of his shoe in an hour-long ESPN special on Thursday. That special, by the way, was the highest rated TV show Thursday … [Read more...]
Clearing Out
Posted on June 24, 2010 · 6 Comments
The rain is clearing out, according to the weather forecasters...and so are we. The inbox, that is...and we have some updates on old items... RUMORS DYING: We passed along rumblings in Tom Taylor's always excellent "Taylor on Radio-Info" column that involved the Cleveland market. The original rumors noted sale talks that could involve the cluster of four CBS Radio stations in Cleveland - alt-rock WKRK/92.3, classic rock WNCX/98.5, AC WDOK/102.1 and hot AC WQAL/104.1. Tom initially noted … [Read more...]
What We Know, And Don’t Know
Posted on May 18, 2010 · 5 Comments
Most of the below items are questions and tips from readers, that we haven't been able to get answers about. If you know, drop us a line. We also have some regular news items in the mix... MIKE HEGAN: A number of listeners asked us if we know why Cleveland Indians Radio Network voice Mike Hegan hasn't been in the broadcast booth with partner Tom Hamilton. IRN pre-game host Jim Rosenhaus has been taking Hegan's place. Well, we've asked around, and the word out of Oak Tree - home of Indians … [Read more...]
Jeff And Jimbo
Posted on May 4, 2010 · 2 Comments
Thus, marking the only time in history where these two men will be mentioned in the same breath... JEFF THOMAS EXITS: OMW has confirmed that long-time Good Karma WKNR/850 sports update voice Jeff Thomas is no longer with the station. According to his WKNR bio, Jeff started being heard on the station in 1996. Thomas' bio has now been removed from the WKNR "hosts" page, and station utility player/producer/Browns beat reporter Daryl Ruiter is doing the updates this morning. OMW hears that WKNR … [Read more...]
