No, it's not the antenna that Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 has sorely needed for their signal-plagued VHF digital TV signal (real channel 8/virtual channel 8). It's "Antenna TV," a new Tribune programming service that will launch this coming January. WJW has been cleared as an affiliate, mainly owing to the managing relationship between the two companies... for now, at least. Antenna TV will offer a combination of movies and classic television shows including: Burns & Allen, Hazel, Father … [Read more...]
Fox 8 Involved In Dish Network Dispute
Posted on October 22, 2010 · 5 Comments
UPDATE 10/22/10 1:25 PM: Reader "Fred" points out an article from another Local TV market confirming the representation, here, from long-time Milwaukee media columnist Tim Cuprisin. Fred also reminds us of WJW's anemic 11 kW VHF 8 signal, which means OTA viewing won't be an option for many Dish viewers if there's no Fox/Dish pact by the first of next month... ----------- We've been trying to figure out why Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 "Fox 8" has been invoked in the dispute between Fox (and … [Read more...]
THIS JUST IN: Cavaliers voice Joe Tait out for the rest of 2010
Posted on October 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Legendary Cleveland Cavaliers broadcaster - and Hall-of-Famer - Joe Tait's recovery from a recent bout of pneumonia has unfortunately hit a major snag. The Cavaliers, along with flagship station WTAM/1100, announced last night that Joe will also undergo heart surgery over the next few days and will be sidelined throughout the rest of 2010. There is no timetable for his return as of right now. It will be the first time since the disastrous 1981-83 Ted Stepien era that Joe will neither be heard … [Read more...]
Remembering “Tall Ted” Hallaman
Posted on October 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Veteran radio announcer Ted Hallaman has passed away at the age of 83. A native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, "Tall Ted" (so nicknamed because of his 6"1' stature) originally was a newspaper writer, contributing for The Ambridge Daily Citizen, and then for The Beaver Valley Times in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He first entered radio in 1949 while as a journalism major at Duquesne University, answering a casting call for then-upstart radio station WDUQ/90.5 Pittsburgh. After working in the … [Read more...]
Joe Tait Recovering
Posted on October 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Cavaliers radio announcer Joe Tait experienced discomfort and chest pains during and following the Cavaliers game vs. the Rockets in Houston last night. Following the game, he was transported to The Methodist Hospital in Houston and accompanied by Cavaliers head athletic trainer Max Benton. Joe was admitted, treated and kept overnight for observation and testing. A diagnosis of pneumonia has been made. His condition is stable and he is receiving additional treatment and now resting more … [Read more...]
WPFX Finally Gets “Luckey”
Posted on October 12, 2010 · 2 Comments
A few days ago, we updated you on the future of BAS-operated, Tiffin Broadcasting-owned and Heidelberg University-bound WTTF/1600 Tiffin. Former sister station WPFX/107.7 North Baltimore, on the other hand, has had a long and complicated adventure in their return to the air. But at long last, the station has arrived at finish line in the suburb of Luckey, Ohio, returning to the air this past Friday as a country station, "107.7 The Wolf." Whether or not this is a stunt remains to be seen. A … [Read more...]
Afternoon Drive Changes at WARF
Posted on October 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Clear Channel sports WARF/1350 Akron is making a change to their ten-month old afternoon drive show. The station announced back on Friday that "The Drive" will now be hosted by Ken Carman and Todd "Fishhead" Fisher, which Carman confirmed on his Twitter account. The 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m time slot remains unchanged. Now-former host Jon Marchoino will return to his original home of Hot AC WKDD/98.1, to host afternoon drive live again. Jon had bounced back and forth between WKDD and WARF much of … [Read more...]
The (online) Wave loses its’ PD
Posted on October 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting's smooth jazz/new age WNWV/107.3 HD2, aka "The Wave," is now without a program director - and its' last local personality. Former PD/afternoon voice Mark Ribbins' last day at the Elyria-based, Cleveland-targeted station was on Thursday, September 30. Mark was the last person held over from WNWV's primary channels' previous format, which was flipped to adult album alternative in late December. Ribbins stayed on board to program the smooth jazz format online and 107.3 … [Read more...]
WGAR’s Morning Show Adds Local Voice
Posted on October 8, 2010 · 3 Comments
As noted on our Twitter feed, Clear Channel Cleveland country outlet WGAR/99.5 is adding a well known local radio voice to the, uh, mix in its new morning drive show. Local radio vet LeeAnn Sommers, who worked until recently in Denver, returns to Northeast Ohio to join incoming host Tim Leary on WGAR's new "Morning Showgram". Leary and Sommers have the unenviable task of replacing morning drive mainstay Jim Mantel, recently shown the door after Oak Tree didn't renew his contract. Below is the … [Read more...]
Seven Days of WAKR’s 70 Years
Posted on October 6, 2010 · 3 Comments
A really big birthday party is forthcoming for Rubber City Radio oldies/news WAKR/1590 Akron. So big, in fact, that it will span seven days. Starting with Ray Horner's Morning News at 6:00 a.m. Friday, WAKR will begin a week-long celebration, with each weekday focusing on a "Decade In A Day," examining the culture, economy, entertainment and life in Akron - corresponding with WAKR's rich history. This project is the brainchild of WAKR program director/midday host Chuck Collins, who compiled … [Read more...]
