Get ready for off air DTV reception before the snow flies
National News: With just over 100 days until all full powered analog TV stations go away for digital, the time is now to make sure that you'll have perfect reception. A report on WSEE on Tuesday night (October 28th) reminds viewers to make sure everything is in working order before the winter weather makes it impossible to check your outdoor antenna. This is a good point for those who rely on an outdoor antenna for reception to make sure everything is connected properly and before more snow flies as it has already here in Western Pa. With the harsh winter weather ahead, I would not recommend walking on an icy roof and risking a serious injury. Plan ahead for February and see how well digital signals come in at your location with a digital TV or converter box. Those who use simple rabbit ears should also check out reception now. Those in apartments may have a much harder time using rabbit ears, depending on location and may be forced to subscribe to basic cable. Feel free to let us know how well your reception is in the PBRTV coverage area.Schultz in town
Pittsburgh:Ed Schultz doesn't have an affiliate station in Pittsburgh (Sirius-XM subscribers can get it on the progressive talk channel), but that didn't stop him from making a stop here on his "Voices of America Tour" yesterday. Schultz is considered the leading progressive/liberal voice on talk radio and was ranked as the eighth most influential talk host in America in 2008 by Talkers Magazine. The town hall program will air today from Noon-3pm.
Schultz advocates that liberal Democrats need to offset the conservative viewpoints on the airwaves with a stronger, clearer message. Meanwhile, many conservatives fear that a Democratic win this election could bring back the Fairness Doctrine - a law overturned in 1987 which required radio stations to offer equal time to present both sides of an issue. Schultz feels conservatives rallying against the doctrine are just trying to manipulate the listeners. "Every time the conservatives get in trouble, they start pounding on this ridiculous idea that liberals want to t take their microphones," he said. Meanwhile he doesn't see that law coming back into place and also doesn't think it should. "I don't know how you start deciding 'OK this talk host over here is liberal, this one's centrist, this one's conservative, this one's libertarian, this one's far right," he told the Post-Gazette. "I'm conservative on some issues, I'm progressive on most." Callers with opposing views are actually encouraged to call Schultz's program and are often moved to the front of the line.
Schultz says that for Democrats the battleground shouldn't be reinstating the Fairness Doctrine but rather addressing the issues created after relaxing media ownership rules. Not only do the conglomerates (think Clear Channel and CBS Radio) control so much of the advertising dollar, but also much of the message. "...and there's no guarantee that the ideology of the owner won't bleed off into the multiple properties that are owned," he said.
Local CBS FMs clean house
Pittsburgh:It wasn't a great day behind the scenes at the local CBS cluster - FM only - in Green Tree. Five staffers were released from their duties yesterday. According to Tom Taylor, WBZW (93.7) PD Ryan Mill is on the list as was WZPT (100.7) Promotions man Brandon Davis. Both B-94 and Star lost their sales managers and WDSY (107.9) sales manager Cristine McKenna will pick up the reigns. The fifth staffer to be let go was the administrative assistant to the Vice-President of Programming, Keith Clark. Clark will assume the duties of the programming for B-94.
Layoffs come to Cumulus Youngstown
Youngstown: There are reports over at radio-info.com confirming that several layoffs have occured at Cumulus owned stations across the country. Could some layoffs occur in the near future over at the Cumulus Youngstown radio stables over on 4040 Simon Road? Cumulus currently owns 8 stations including Classic Rock WYFM 102.9 "Y-103", Country WQXK 105.1 "K-105", CHR WHOT 101.1 "Hot 101", Alternative WWIZ 103.9 "Rock 104", AC WLLF "96.7 The River", Nostalgia WSOM 600, Sports WBBW 1240, and News Talk WPIC 790. With the state of radio today, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a few "Budget Cuts" occur over on Simon Road. Update: Thanks to our regular reader "Doug" for catching the news over on Radio-Info.com. There were a few "Budget Cuts" over on Simon Road. They include "Y-103" evening jock Dave Messersmith (who was with the station for 23 years), "K-105" evening jock Burton Lee and morning show host "K-Man", plus the entire weekend crew over at "Hot 101." This was also reported over at Ohio Media Watch who is offering those who lost their jobs free posting of contact information for stations looking for talent. I'll second that and welcome such postings here or at my e-mail address at Laveryman@hotmail.com. It's the people behind the mic that always made radio a special place and they deserve a lot better than being a victim of "budget cuts."WINS-AM PD to assist KDKA PD
Pittsburgh: Radio Online announced Friday that WINS-AM (New York) PD Mark Mason is being brought in to assist at distant sister station KDKA-AM (1020). Mason will be working along side KD's News & Programming Director Marshall Adams to provide perspective from outside the market. By doing so, Keith Clarke will be able to focus on the FM sisters in the CBS cluster - WDSY (107.9), WBZW (93.7) and WZPT (100.7)/95.9 Kiss FM goes HD
Youngstown: For over a year, Cumulus CHR WHOT 101.1 "HOT 101" was the only Top 40 outlet broadcasting an HD signal in the Mahoning Valley. Well that is not the case anymore, Crosstown rival Clear Channel CHR "95.9 Kiss FM" WAKZ is now also broadcasting an HD signal. However, the station is not broadcasting a second channel like sister stations "Mix 98.9" (Smooth Jazz) and "93.3 The Wolf" (Blues) as of yet.Comcast hikes prices
Pittsburgh: Comcast customers can expect a hike in cable prices come December 1. Prices will be raised about 3.7%. That's after a rate hike of 4.5% earlier this year. The rate hike is due to higher gasoline, employee health care costs and higher programming charges. WPXI says Digital Voice phone service and high speed internet won't be affected.Cannon pleads guilty for DUI
Pittsburgh:The Post-Gazette says former WTAE and KDKA-TV anchorman Don Cannon pleaded guilty on Monday on two counts of DUI. He has been placed on 3 months house arrest. Cannon, 68, was arrested twice last November for DUI and both times his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Cannon has been off the air at KDKA since late last year and did not renew his contract earlier this year.
10 years later...and amazingly still going!
Musings From Eric:It was October 21, 1998 when I received an email from Dave Hughes asking me to send him articles on local radio stations. Oddly enough that was three weeks to the day after I asked him if I could do the same thing - he said no. Even though I was excited to participate in providing information for his site, I never dreamed it would last very long - let alone becoming my own. But 10 years later (a mere 120 months) here we are a blog. A blog that existed before blogs existed, or something like that.
I'm not going to take a walk down memory lane. Unfortunately, our only true archives date back to March 2007 when we went to a blog format. (Let's face it, the appearance here was scary at one time!) However, I would like to take this moment to thank those who have helped to make this site what it has been over the years. If I leave anyone out, forgive me. First thanks to Dave Hughes who let me "steal" his idea. To Tom Lavery, Ken Hawk, Chris Lash and Ed Weigle for their past (and present) contributions as regional correspondents and column writers. Of course to Jason Togyer without whom this site probably wouldn't have made it past 2001! He's the one we must credit for making this site a "dot com". Without him, we'd still be pbrtv.tripod.com and I might have forgotten about it by now. (Incidentally he did an incredibly good job at keeping things going during my technological crises!) And of course, our webhost is Skymagik.
And what would this website be without you readers? POINTLESS! So thank you so very much for all that YOU do - your emails, comments and contributions are appreciated.
I know there are a lot of things to update on the other pages, please be patient with us.
Now down to business!
(more)The truth about Christmas Music
Pittsburgh:The Christmas Music stunt heard over the weekend on WWSW (94.5) was to introduce the on-demand options for Christmas music on the station's website. Last year (and we must admit we forgot) 3-W-S sprinkled Christmas favorites into the regular format and increased play as time marched closer to Christmas. That is apparently the plan for this year as well. WSHH (99.7) and WLTJ (92.9) both went all Christmas last year, Wish started on Light-Up Night while Lite Rock (as it was called at the time) started on Thanksgiving. No word on whether the two stations will continue that trend this year.
In recent years, stations who go all Christmas usually gain listeners and that's always a plus for the advertisers.
Merry Christmas from 3-W-S
Pittsburgh:Yes, the Holiday Season has begun and WWSW (94.5) has beaten everyone to the punch...er uh egg nog. You can see the website promotes it as "Commercial Free". In fact, the website still looks Halloweenish. So now that one station has jumped the ship, who's next?
(As a public service, we'd like to remind all of our readers that Christmas is still scheduled for December 25 and runs for 12 days thereafter.)
Summer Book
Pittsburgh:Only WDVE is more popular than talk. KDKA and WPGB have the 2nd and 3rd places respectively. WPGB's numbers really haven't changed since the spring and KDKA has a comfortable 2-point lead over the FM talker. WLTJ continues a steady climb since the Easter Day format change. WJAS has dropped to its lowest number in a year. WBZW still hasn't touched the top 10, but this summer's numbers were a lot better than last summer's when the station was struggling as a talk station.
Complete list: Radio & Records
Miller being reprimanded a stunt?
Pittsburgh:On Wednesday, a segment on Kevin Miller's mid-day talk show on KDKA (1020) confused some listeners. Executive producer PJ Kumanchick read a CBS Radio statement saying that Miller was biased against Barack Obama and in the spirit of fairness, the station was going to offer Mr. Obama three hours of airtime - more than likely pre-empting Miller. Miller apologized Thursday for the comments he made about his being censored.
Listeners called the station to object to the censorship while others thought it was a stunt. Stations don't typically air their problems with hosts and Miller is known for his publicity stunts. No comments from PD Marshall Adams.
For news regarding the Sirius-XM "merger"
National News:We'd like to point you to our sister site DCRTV for complete coverage of the seemingly hostile takeover spelled "merger" between Sirius and XM. Nearly 50 XM employees have been let go in a move that will supposedly lead to certain Sirius music channels airing on both services. Before you go, we'd like to remind you about this quote from The DC Post:
"It was very important for XM to continue, after the merger, to be headquartered in Washington, D.C. We've even said we won't have less employment here in the District than we already have." - Sirius XM Radio chief executive Mel Karmazin. June 2007.
Whatever...
"Back to You" on DVD
National News: The unfortunate and quick demise of 2007 Fox Sit-com "Back To You" didn't stop it from being released on DVD. The Pittsburgh-set comedy starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton is available now ($39.98 Fox). According to Rob Owen, the DVD features three unaired episodes, a half-hour feature on the making of the series and the decisions to recast some characters. Owen says the extras are well done, "although seeing the show again is a reminder of how unjustified its cancellation was..." He points out that the sitcom which replaced the "Back To You" time slot ("Do Not Disturb") has already failed.Verizon adds more HD channels
Pittsburgh:Verizon FiOS has expanded it's HD channel lineup to 100 choices with such additions as ABC Family, Disney, Toon Disney, FSN Pittsburgh, Fox News and FX among others. (PBRTV warns that you'll have to make special subscription arrangements to watch these channels.)
The complete lineup is available at www22.verizon.com.
Obligation trumps network
Pittsburgh:WTAE had no choice the other day when they didn't air the biggest matchup this year in college football - Texas vs Oklahoma. Instead they had to air Rutgers vs. Cincinatti. Why? "We are Pittsburgh's Pitt football station," WTAE GM Rick Henry told Bob Smizik. "In order to carry Pitt football, I am under contract to carry Big East football." He went on to say that the agreement trumps ABC.
Fox 66 DT now at full power
Erie-Meadville: Tirak's HDTV Watch: As of Monday, WFXP DT 66-1 (22) is now broadcasting it's digital signal full power at a whopping 850kw. Thus, making Fox 66 the most powerful digital signal in the Erie market. The news was announced over on sister station WJET TV 24 during Action News 24 at 5:30pm plus there is an article over on the website www.yourerie.com. PBRTV received an e-mail from an Ashtabula reader who says that the signal is coming in very strong his way. I too caught the station Monday night at home with very impressive readings as high as 91%. The newspiece over on Jet stated that Fox was the first station in Erie with HD programming, however Fox was actually second with HD while WQLN DT 54-1 (50) was the first station in Erie with HD programming. Jet also reminded viewers that WJET DT will not go full power until February 17th of 2009 when Jet moves it's location to DT 24 from it's current channel location of DT 58. However, that does not rule out Jet possibly being put on a temporary sub channel on the much improved Fox 66 signal. It would be a similar move to what the folks over at WSEE have done by putting WICU on a sub channel for outlying areas.Cable channels losing their focus for reality?
National News: OK, I'm now at my breaking point regarding "reality shows" airing on cable channels. CMT for one is airing "Trading Spouses" and while that is on, they are promoting a new show called "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Wrestling." Just in case you were wondering what CMT stood for, it's the initials for Country Music Television. Yes while wife swapping and wrestling may seem like a perfect match for CMT, then why not change the initials to "CRTT" or "Country Reality Trailerpark Television." *** You can thank the folks at Viacom for adding such reality shows to CMT as well as VH-1 and of course MTV. I mean, how many versions of "Rock of Love" with Brett Michaels will there be? Let's not forget "TV Land", which was originally created from Nickelodeon's "Nick at Nite" as a network that airs classic TV shows. While TV Land airs a few classic programs, other times it's more reality shows about older models or high school reunions. You know, stuff that could go on Lifetime or a channel of that nature. Give me nothing but TV classics 24 hours a day on the Retro Television Network or "RTN" please! And why is "Scrubs" even on TV Land? Surprisingly, the Mrs. wonders why I watch more sports on TV than anything else. Well at least I know what to expect on ESPN or the Speed channel. (***Disclosure: Tom Lavery actually owns and lives in a trailer.)WQLN DT returns to the air
Erie-Meadville: Good news for those missing WQLN TV since going off the air on September 15th. The station has returned to the airwaves as of Friday but only on the digital side WQLN DT 54-1 which is actually on channel 50. As reported before, WQLN will not be turning it's analog signal back on since the regional cable companies and Dish Network are now being fed the digital signal. Thus, it would make no sense to turn analog back on with the February deadline looming to shut it off. The temporary antenna is not as high as the regular antenna, which will impact the coverage area of the Q until the regular antenna is repaired hopefully in December. Just a reminder, those who watch WQLN using antenna will need to purchase a converter box with analog pass through. The pass through feature will allow viewers to watch other Erie analog stations when the converter box is turned off. Currently, only WFXP and WSEE are running at full power with their digital stations while WQLN is at reduced status.Frattare reflects
Pittsburgh:Bob Smizik caught up with Lanny Frattare who reflected on the tough choice to call it quits in the announcer's booth last week. Frattare said, "I hope I haven't made the wrong decision. If I did, it's something I have to live with." He admits that he is still struggling with his decision but notes that the worst part will come in a few months when the team heads for spring training. "Its going to be awkward to think about spring training and not going down to Brandenton with the team...," he said. Frattare, who on Monday was chosen as a finalist for the Ford Frick Award given by the Hall of Fame for excellence in broadcasting, insists that he was not forced out by Pirates president Frank Coonelly. Hoping that he didn't sound trite, he said, "I'm deeply indebted to the fans for giving me a chance. When I first joined the team after the firing of Bob [Prince], it was difficult. But the fans gave me a chance and that means the most to me."
Bonesso sues The B
Pittsburgh:A sex discrimination lawsuit was filed yesterday against B94 (WBZW-FM 93.7) by local comedian Gab Bonesso claiming she was not given an on-air position since she wasn't considered "girlie" enough. Bonesso started at the station as John McIntire's sidekick and producer in 2007 under "The Zone" formatted WTZN. She continued to work for the station after the switch-back to B-94 in October 2007 ultimately working as a board operator before being fired on May 12. Bonesso applied for an on-air position after the format change and was told she would get it. The suit contends that the program director told her that she was not "girlie" enough because of her hair and dress and suggested that if she looked and dressed more feminine she would be acceptible. Bonesso, who currently works as a stand-up comic, is seeking to be placed in an on-air position and receive back pay, compensatory and punitive damanges.
NBC doing away with Weather Plus
National News:After four years, NBC is shutting down its "Weather Plus" the joint venture between NBC and its local stations which airs on digital channels. It will disband in phases between now and the end of the year. Apparently it's not working out the way NBC News President Steve Capus had hoped. For instance, only the 10 NBC O&O affiliates had bought into the online aspect of the weather programming. "That's been, quite frankly, frustrating on our part," he told TV week. The move happens before NBC Universals acquisition of a minority stake in The Weather Channel. The network is already sharing content and talent with The Weather Channel as is expected to take over programming once the acquisition is final.
"Issue 6" ads invades Ohio
Misc. Ohio: Over the last few weeks, I have noticed some interesting ads airing in the Youngstown market. These ads have been airing all over Ohio on both TV and radio regarding approval of a new casino in the Cincinnati region. It's called "Issue 6" and groups that are both for and against the casino are pouring money into ads encouraging voters there to either vote for or against the casino. In fact, a casino in Indiana is paying for some ads to block the casino in fear of losing Ohio visitors. Our friends at Ohio Media Watch states that the "Issue 6" ads are about ready to push the ads by both presidential candidates off TV. Something I highly doubt, but I knew he was being somewhat sarcastic. Still, both are battling for airtime in a hotly contested state in a huge election. Does anyone outside of Cincinnati care about this? OMW states that several casino issues were voted down in the past. I find that interesting since Ohio is surrounded by pro gaming states. I'll ask any voters in Ohio who reads PBRTV, will such ads influence how you vote?Terry Lee resurfaces...
Pittsburgh:Terry Lee recently showed up online via a website. Now Lee will hit the Pittsburgh-area airwaves again with classic Music for Young Lovers shows which will air Saturday nights from 10 - Midnight on WLSW-FM (103.9). According to Lee's blog, "This is the same show that ran in sndication across the country 20 years ago but has never been heard in Pittsburgh." The move will reformulate Power 104's Saturday lineup. Charlie Apple will be on the air from Noon - 5 pm and Jerry Braverman will take a 5-10 pm slot.
Waxing Nostalgia: The end of analog TV at WQLN
Erie-Meadville:It was getting close to my 27th birthday in 1997 and was working in Erie radio at WXTA Country 98 as the overnight jock turned board op for a syndicated show. The station was one of the last independently owned stations in the Erie market though rumors were starting to circulate regarding a possible sale of Country 98. Around the same time, I saw an ad in the Erie Times-News regarding an operations position at WQLN TV and FM. With the uncertainty of my future at Country 98, I decided to fill out my resume' and see what this job was all about. I received a call and actually did not get the job the first time around. It was offered to someone else who decided not to show up and I was then offered the job at WQLN. I then gave my two weeks' notice to then Country 98 PD Bill Shannon, who accepted it and wished me well. I then moved on to WQLN to work on the radio side as a board op who gradually went over to the TV side and became what is called a Master Control Operator. An MCO is someone who keeps things moving at a TV station by following a log as to run programs, breaks, etc. They also take transmitter readings and during my early days, would either put the station on the air or sign off for the night. That of course, depended on my shift. With so many memories of my time at WQLN, one thing I was looking forward to was signing off TV 54 for the last time in February of 2009. It would be a time to both reflect and move on with 100% digital. In the middle of September, those plans changed when WQLN TV and DT was knocked off the air. As the weeks progressed, it was decided that WQLN TV 54 would stay off the air permanently and the focus would now be on the digital side of WQLN TV. It's a move that makes perfect sense as we are this close to the deadline but it was something I wish we could have done along with all of the other Erie TV stations at the deadline. The good news is that viewers of WQLN and other stations who use an antenna will have to purchase their converter boxes well ahead of the deadline. Getting a converter box with analog pass through is a must since it's still difficult to get the digital signals of WJET and WFXP in some areas. WICU DT also has the same problem but they are also available on WSEE's sub channel at 35-3.
New gig for Pintek
Pittsburgh: From DCRTV: Mike Pintek has a regular radio job again - in Baltimore. CBS talker WHFS-FM (105.7) hired Pintek to do the PM drive time which was previously held by Brian Wilson. Pintek is no stranger to the Baltimore/DC area as he once anchored the news on WASH-FM in Washington. A look at Pintek's bio at the WHFS website says Mike currently lives at an "undisclosed location". PBRTV suspects that Mike may still be in this area broadcasting from a studio with an ISDN line. Pintek has been a regular host of PCNC's NightTalk lately.Salem stock nearing $1
National News:It seems to be happening frequently in these tough times, but Salem Communications' stock price is nearing $1 a share. In the midst of this, President and COO Eric Halvorson is leaving...again. This would be the second time Halvorson left the company as he did in the late '90s. He returned to the company in 2007 to his current position where he received a first-year base salary of $500,000. He has also been a board member since 1988.
Salem has apparently sold some properties and and is open to selling others. Like other companies, Salem has more debt than it wants and the stock sank to a 52-week low on Friday. Last fall, the stock traded for $9 a share and declined steadily throughout the winter. After a rally in the spring, the stock fell over the summer again. Friday's price was $1.02 a share.
Salem owns WORD-FM (101.5) and WPIT (730) in Pittsburgh.
Mehno: Frattare's retirement "fishy"
Pittsburgh:Beaver County Times Sports Correspondent John Mehno thinks the retirement of Pirates announcer Lanny Frattare is fishy. In fact he thinks the story, "smells as fishy as the Oyster House on a Friday in Lent." Frattare is 60 and appears to be in good health but has no plans for what he'll do during the 2009 season. Several friends and co-workers didn't see it coming. Mehno seems to think that Frattare could have up and made the decision to retire, but wouldn't be surprised if he was encouraged.
Jennifer Abney to take over mornings at WPXI
Pittsburgh: Within hours of Newlin Archinal's departure from Channel 11, Corrie Harding announced that Jennifer Abney would take the duties sometime after October 20. Abney comes to the station from WKRG where she's been performing similar duties. Meanwhile, Archinal says she will show up in a new way next year. That leads Rob Owen to speculate that she'll be esitting out a no-compete clause before reappearing. There's no telling what that may be.Breaking News: Lanny Frattare retires
Pittsburgh:After 33 years of announcing Pirate games, Lanny Frattare is giving up his spot on the air. 33 years is longer than any other announcer in the 122-year history of the Pirates - even longer than the famed Bob Prince. Frattare said that the decision to retire is something he's talked about for a long time, but didn't actually make the decision until after the final road trip. "It was a difficult and emotional decision, but in the end, I decided it was time," he said.
The Pirates plan to have an on-field ceremony to honor Frattare in 2009, but the details have yet to be ironed out. While no replacement has been named, the remainder of the broadcast team: Greg Brown, Bob Walk, Steve Blass and John Wehner will return for the 2009 season.
PBS 45/49 now Western Reserve PBS
Youngstown: Ohio Media Watch stated on their blog that today (October 1st) is the day PBS 45/49 would change their on air branding to "Western Reserve PBS." You will no longer see the PBS 45/49 branding on either WEAO 49 Akron or WNEO 45 Salem / Youngstown. Even the station website has been updated as http://www.westernreservepublicmedia.org/. On a semi related note, Western Reserve PBS President and CEO Trina Cutter will be visiting libraries in an effort to help viewers get ready for the DTV transition. On the "Tuesdays with Trina" tour, her stops include the Columbiana Public Library in Columbiana county on October 7th, Northwest Akron Branch Library in Summit county on October 14th, Carroll county at the Carrollton Main Library on October 21st and in Wayne county at the Main Library in Wooster on October 28th. All visits begin at 6:30 for the hour long sessions and you can register at the "Western Reserve PBS DTV Help Desk" at 1-800-554-4549.Delilah pens a book
National News:Nationally syndicated radio host, Delilah, has just published a book containing some of her favorite stories from listeners over the years. The book is entitled, "Love Matters: Remarkable Love Stories That Touch the Heart and Nourish the Soul". It is the first book in Harlequin's non-fiction category and includes stories of family love, true love and even love lost. The idea for the book came from airing phone calls or letters from the listeners who would share their stories about love. Delilah would often find that the story was too good to let fade. "After we air the call, it's gone. I always thought what a waste," she said. Although she didn't write the individual stories, Delilah wrote introductions to each chapter and then matched each story with an adult contemporary song - an element of her program she takes pride in. "When I'm talking to somebody, the sountrack is going of the song that I would pick to go with their situation," she said.
"Delilah After Dark" is heard on 250 stations across the country including WSHH-FM (99.7).
Archinal out at WPXI
Pittsburgh:
Some WPXI-TV (11) viewers might have been surprised early today when morning anchor Newlin Archinal said her goodbyes on the air. Today was her last day at WPXI - a move which had been in the works for some time. News director Corrie Harding told the PG that it had nothing to do with performance issues but improving the morning newscast as a whole. It was a station decision to replace Archinal which could mean that they opted not to renew her contract or that she didn't accept the terms of a new contract. Archinal joined the station in 1999. She hopes to stay in Pittsburgh.