By the time you read this, former Marion Clear Channel outlet WMRN/106.9 may be broadcasting as the company's new Columbus-based WMRN at 106.7.OMW hears that what should be a couple of weeks of stunting starts on the latter frequency on Thursday afternoon at 12 noon.WMRN's long-time Marion signal at 106.9 went dark earlier this month, nudging the "Buckeye Country" format to WDIF/94.3, known until the move as AC outlet "Mix 94.3". Recent Upper Sandusky move-in WYNT/95.9 Caledonia remains as the … [Read more...]
Mutual Decision
Posted on November 27, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OK, so we're a bit out of the saddle, but yes, we did actually manage to find the story written by Plain Dealer media columnist Julie Washington over the weekend.(Though, as always, we appreciate the help...especially when Ms. Washington's efforts usually require a search party to find if you don't get the Dead Trees edition of the PD.)This is hardly news to anyone who has worked in radio or TV, but stations and employees frequently have different takes on what happens when someone no longer … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted on November 22, 2007 · Leave a Comment
As noted in a previous item, OMW will basically "go dark" for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, though we will post any major news involving the local media if we're able to do so.But here we are, slipping one under the door at deadline...FINAL HO-HO-HO UPDATE, AND A FORMAT ADJUSTMENT: It's Salem CCM WFHM/95.5 "The Fish" in Cleveland as the latest holiday convert, with a planned switch to Christmas music...at least according to their website, at any rate...at midnight tonight/Thanksgiving … [Read more...]
And Still Another Ho-Ho-Ho Destination
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Rubber City Radio standards/oldies WAKR/1590 Akron has become the latest participant in the Northeast Ohio Holiday Music Radio Sweepstakes, flipping sometime today.We particularly like one of the liners we heard today:"The one time a year you let a fat man down the chimney, and don't call 911. News, sports and holiday music...1590/WAKR!"WAKR is no stranger to running traditional Christmas and holiday music. But this year, that sleigh is being driven (sorry, couldn't help it) by the station … [Read more...]
Another One Rides The Sleigh
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
To almost no one's surprise, CBS Radio AC WDOK/102.1 "SoftRock 102.1" has become the first Cleveland market station to flip to holiday music.OMW hears that it was WDOK program director and OMW reader Scott Miller who launched the Christmas tunes parade at 9 AM today.We didn't hear it directly from Scott, but really, it was not a surprise that today was the day for the flip. WDOK has usually been the first Cleveland market station to adopt the usually popular and profitable Christmas music run - … [Read more...]
Turkey Week Starts
Posted on November 19, 2007 · Leave a Comment
And more housekeeping: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, OMW will likely be very thin this week. At the moment, we plan to not publish at all from Wednesday through next Monday.Part of this is because there generally isn't any major radio/TV (or indeed, other) news over the holiday weekend...but part is because we're "resetting" and taking some personal time to spend with friends and family.We may be able to post *major* breaking media news, including such things as radio station format … [Read more...]
Out The Weekend Door
Posted on November 17, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Here are some items that were piled up as we prepare to shut down for the weekend...RUBBER CITY RADIO STAFFER'S NEW JOB: You could say that Rubber City Radio afternoon traffic voice Toni Cicone has a new "stack" of work.Well, OK, that was a pun you never saw coming, as the folks on West Market Street tell us that Cicone, who has been afternoon editor for the company's extensive AkronNewsNow website, has left Akron's WAKR/1590-WQMX/94.9-WONE/97.5 for a new non-radio job.It's for a magazine … [Read more...]
Addendum To Our Last Item
Posted on November 16, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Our apologies to Cleveland Plain Dealer media columnist Julie Washington for the first item below.And for that matter, to ourselves, for looking so out of touch in front of all of you.Ms. Washington's Sunday column apparently covered Mr. Duncan's departure from WERE/1490.We say "apparently", because the online version at Cleveland.com has a glitch that doesn't allow one to go past the story on NBC's Brian Williams doing his broadcast from Cleveland this week. Scroll to the bottom, and tell us … [Read more...]
The Midweek Skip
Posted on November 15, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Looks like we're doing the "Tuesday/Thursday" thing this week, as far as updates go...RONNIE DUNCAN OUT?: Regular OMW reader and alert tipster Nathan Obral in Lake County gets the hat tip for this.He doesn't know when it happened - and for that matter, neither do we - but it appears morning drive host Ronnie Duncan is out at Radio One Cleveland urban talker WERE/1490.Sure enough, Duncan has been excised from the "Newstalk 1490" website. The schedule now lists the "WERE Morning Show" from 6-9 … [Read more...]
First Northeast Ohio Christmas Flip In Canton
Posted on November 13, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OMW hears that Clear Channel AC WHOF/101.7 North Canton "My 101.7" has turned on the Christmas music switch.The holiday tunes started flowing at 9 AM, according to what we hear out of Freedom Avenue.As far as we know, that makes WHOF the first Northeast Ohio station to adopt the holiday music format, a staple of AC stations across the country. Clear Channel AC WLZT/93.3 "Lite FM" in the Columbus market has already started ringing the sleigh bells... … [Read more...]
