Our apologies for "radio silence" so far this week.As noted earlier, our away-from-the-Mighty-Blog(tm) schedule has been in flux recently, so we'll basically get here when we get here.But...we got here, so here we are..."AKRON/CANTON NEWS" REBRANDS, A LITTLE: When a large news operation agrees to produce a news program for another outlet, either co-owned or not, it's often a tough decision how to brand the new newscast.In Pittsburgh, for example, Cox NBC affiliate WPXI/11 produces the 10 PM … [Read more...]
Short Cuts
Posted on November 8, 2007 · Leave a Comment
As we mercifully bring this week to an end in one day...MARK AND ABBY: In the first of two "heads up" reminders from WKYC/3 senior director Frank Macek's "Director's Cut" blog - the station's new morning "Channel 3 News Today" team launched this morning.The most significant changes involve the previously reported move of chief meteorologist Mark Nolan to the co-host spot of the show.And he'll be joined by new hire Abby Ham - recently of Gannett sister NBC affiliate WBIR/10 in Knoxville TN. … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Former “Mix 94.1” PD Lands In Connecticut
Posted on November 7, 2007 · Leave a Comment
AllAccess reports that former NextMedia AC WHBC-FM/94.1 Canton "Mix 94.1" program director and morning host Terry Simmons has landed in a similar job back east.He takes the reins at Cumulus hot AC WDBY "Y105" in Danbury, Connecticut, where he'll also be the station's program director and morning host.The trade site says Simmons starts at Connecticut's "Y105" next Monday.After Simmons exited WHBC-FM, the "Mix" programming chair was eventually occupied by Hunter Scott, who does afternoon drive on … [Read more...]
Cumulus’ Ohio Four Spin
Posted on November 7, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Cumulus, also seeking to end up going private, has just done its own round of spinoffs intended to slim the company's station roster, and four of those spinoffs involve the OMW coverage area.In the Youngstown/Warren market, Cumulus is moving standards WSOM/600 Salem and AC WLLF/96.7 Mercer PA "The River" to Stratus Radio LLC. And in the Toledo market, it's classic rock WXKR/94.5 Port Clinton and top 40 WTWR/98.3 Luna Pier MI "Tower 98-3" headed for Stratus Land.See any connection here?Not only … [Read more...]
Clear Channel’s Budget Axe Hits Youngstown
Posted on November 6, 2007 · Leave a Comment
The rolling wave of Clear Channel staffing/budget cuts has hit Ohio. This time, it's the folks on South Avenue in Boardman seeing reductions.AllAccess reports that Clear Channel's Youngstown cluster has released three staff members...and two of them are long-time on-air staff members.In addition to cluster engineer Mike Heim, CC Youngstown says goodbye to talk WKBN/570 afternoon co-host Casey Malone, and oldies WBBG/106.1 midday veteran Jerry Goddard.Malone's exit would presumably leave WKBN … [Read more...]
Yeah, It’s Monday
Posted on November 5, 2007 · Leave a Comment
While waiting to make an announcement...ESPN 970: As linked here via the Ashtabula Star-Beacon earlier, Media One's WFUN/970 has made the switch from talk to sports.OMW regular reader/tipster Nathan Obral up in Lorain County - apparently getting some good across-Lake Erie reception - tells us that WFUN made the previously announced format change over the weekend, now branding as "ESPN 970 WFUN".The earlier report stated that the format change would move WFUN morning drive host John Broom's show … [Read more...]
Freedom Avenue Changes
Posted on November 2, 2007 · Leave a Comment
We have two items of note out of Clear Channel's Akron/Canton cluster.First, it's former WTAM/1100 weekend overnight news anchor Michael Kelly who takes over the morning news anchor slot at talk WHLO/640, starting Monday.Recently, Kelly has been doing news for WPGB/104.7 Pittsburgh during the regionally syndicated "Quinn and Rose" show - via the company computer network from Clear Channel Cleveland's Oak Tree facilities, so he never actually left the building after WTAM pulled local overnight … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Robin Benzle Exits At WDOK
Posted on November 1, 2007 · Leave a Comment
No, you weren't hearing things if you heard Robin Benzle's last show on CBS Radio Cleveland AC outlet WDOK/102.1.Robin indeed said goodbye to her post alongside WDOK's Trapper Jack this morning, opting to make her on-air exit a single day event.WDOK program director and OMW reader Scott Miller comments on his departing morning co-host..."Robin has done a superb job in her tenure in a most critical daypart. Her wit and humor along with her timely cooking and lifestyle tips have been effective and … [Read more...]
The Football Blues
Posted on November 1, 2007 · Leave a Comment
We're coming up to another fall football weekend, and once again, many people will have to take measures to see games they may want to see, but can't see at home...BIG TEN NETWORK MESS, AGAIN: As we hinted earlier, this weekend's Big Ten football showdown between the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and 21st-ranked Wisconsin Badgers has been picked up by the Big Ten Network - which is visible in roughly 14 cable homes in Northeast Ohio. OK, maybe a few thousand.Those with satellite TV, or … [Read more...]
Here’s Some Hot News For You
Posted on October 31, 2007 · Leave a Comment
OK, so we couldn't resist.WFMJ/21 reports that early Wednesday morning, the Youngstown/Warren market NBC affiliate had to cover a fire...and they didn't have to go far from the station's headquarters in downtown Youngstown to get to it.In fact, they didn't have to leave the station at all.Quoting WFMJ's website:An early morning basement fire broke out in the WFMJ building. Nobody was hurt, but the fire damaged a number of systems used in our news and programming operations.The time of the fire, … [Read more...]
